Bucket list things to do in Mallorca for cyclists and triathletes
Mallorca has established itself as the playground of choice for many cyclists and triathletes, thanks to its sweeping mountainous cycling routes and abundance of sandy beaches.
So if youâre planning a trip to this Mediterranean island, what needs to be on your to-do list? With so many incredible roads to ride and races to get involved with, you could easily pack out your itinerary 10 times over. But hereâs our top picks for what to do in Mallorca if youâre a cyclist or a triathlete.
Take on the climbs
Whether youâre travelling over to Mallorca with your own bike, or leaving your trusty steed at home and renting instead. No trip to Mallorca is complete without ticking off at least one of the islandâs iconic climbs. If youâve got time to spend several days riding, the island is small enough that you can plan your routes to take on most of the key climbs â as long as you donât mind big days in the saddle. But if youâre limited on time, here are the two weâd have at the top of our list.
Sa Calobra
Probably one of the most famous climbs on the island is Sa Calobra, a category 1 climb with an average gradient of 7% â maxing out at 12%. What makes Sa Calobra special is the fact you have to ride down the iconic 26 hair pin turns before you get to ride back up it. Which means you know exactly whatâs in store! Cut into dramatic cliff faces with the sparkling water of The Med creating an incredible backdrop, youâll make your way up almost 10km of non-stop climbing â with the gradient getting ever steeper during the final 3km. The famous 270 degree âtie knotâ turn signals youâre close to the finish.
PRO cyclist Tom Pidcock holds the current KOM, with a time of 22:46 set in December 2022. The QOM is held by hill climbing champion, Illi Gardner who set a time of 29:09 in November 2022.
Puig Major
The Puig Major climb is the longest on the island, taking you part of the way up the highest peak in Mallorca with the road summiting at 864m. Youâll spend most of the climb enclosed by pine forests, making the view point at the 14km mark on the Tramuntana ridge all the more spectacular. To get to the summit, youâll ride through the Monnaber tunnel and be greeted with glittering lakes as the road levels off.
Puig Major is 14.6km long, with an average gradient of 5.9%. The KOM is held by Belgian PRO cyclist Lennert Van Eetvelt who scaled the ascent in 32:26 in January 2024. And the QOM â like Sa Calobra â is held by Illi Gardner who nabbed that crown with a time of 41:40 during her 2022 trip.
Race Challenge Peguera-Mallorca
If youâre heading to Mallorca in October, itâs well worth checking if you can get a last minute entry to Challenge Peguera-Mallorca.
Challenge Peguera-Mallorca swim start [Photo: Challenge Family]
An end of season favourite with age-groupers and PROs alike, this middle distance triathlon takes you on a tour of some of the best cycling on the west of the island. The perfect opportunity to explore some of the roads and climbs you might not have got around to yet if you tend to stick to the North of the island.
FINISH your RACE SEASON STRONG IN PEGUERA-MALLORCA
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Ride the Tramuntana Coastal Road
If youâre up for a big day in the saddle, the 110km coastal road from Pollensa to Andratx is a truly spectacular ride. Travelling through mountain villages, valleys, and coastal towns the Tramuntana Coastal Road will take you along plenty of the islandâs must-do climbs â including Coll de Femenia, Puig Major, Can Costa and es Grau. The rolling route features 2,520 metres of ascent before youâre treated to a downhill finish into Andratx. Call it a day there and get a ride back to base. Or if you want a really big day in the saddle, fuel up and ride back to tick off a double metric century.
Take part in the Mallorca 312 Gran Fondo
Speaking of big days in the saddle⊠if youâre not going to be on the island for Challenge Peguera-Mallorca but you still like the idea of combining a vacation with participating in an event. Take a look at the Mallorca 312 Gran Fondo which takes place in April. Attracting thousands of riders every year, this closed road 312km sportive takes in the very best of the islandâs cycling offerings. If the 312 is a little out of reach for your endurance levels, you do also have the option of the 225km and the 167km.
Do the Cap de Formentor Lighthouse ride
The âlighthouse rideâ is a rite of passage for cycling in Mallorca. At ~50km, the route from Puerto Pollensa to the lighthouse that sits atop the Cap de Formentor climb packs in a punchy amount of elevation. But the reward is sweeping descents and incredible scenery.
Early morning rides donât get much better than this.
Get up and out at sunrise and youâll have the road â and the lighthouse â more or less to yourself. Just watch out for the infamous lighthouse goat who will befriend you and steal the snacks out of your bento box given half the chance.
Make a pitstop at Sa Ruta Verda
For years, Toloâs has been the go-to cycling restaurant/bar of choice when visiting Mallorca. But aside from the cycling theme, reviews of the food and the service have often been mixed. And in this writerâs experience â it was fine, but not fantastic. As an alternative, ride out to Sa Ruta Verda. Located in the small town of Caimari, this independent cycling shop and cafĂ© is stocked with healthy snacks and tasty cakes. The perfect pitstop where youâre invited to âchill before the hillâ as you stop off on your way into the Tramuntana Mountains.
Swim at Cala Boquer Beach
If the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist beaches isnât your scene, itâs certainly worth making the 45-50 minute or so hike through the valley out to Cala Boquer Beach. Surrounded by mountain ridges, this secluded and rocky bay is only reachable on foot â making it a haven if youâre after some peace and quiet during the busy summer season. The water is crystal clear, and thanks to the surrounding cliffs tends to stay cool throughout the high summer months. A bucket list swim where youâll feel like youâve got your own private island â if only for an hour or two.
Need more inspiration? Check out our list of the ultimate bucket list triathlons, or our pick of the best race-cation getaways.
