Without a shadow of doubt, one of the world’s best one day rides is the stunning coast to coast route in Mallorca from Andratx to Port de Pollensa following the MA-10. This is an absolute must for anyone visiting Mallorca and there are plenty of services offering the one way transfer to the start in Andratx. The route is 116km (there are some add-ons if you want an even harder day) with 2964m of climbing.
In Summary
- Start – Andratx, Mallorca
- Finish – Port de Pollensa, Mallorca
- Distance – 116km
- Elevation – 2964m
- Key Climbs – Puig Major (possible add on of Sa Calobra)
The Mallorca Coast to Coast Ride
Most riders stay in Port de Pollensa and this ride requires a one way transfer at the start in Andratx. The drive takes around 1hr15 so typically involves an early start. The start town is pretty in a less visited (by cyclists) area of the island. You stay on one road the whole day but there are a couple of points where you could get lost if you tried.
Straight out of Andratx you are climbing towards the coast and then hugging the coast. The first climb is the Coll de Sa Gramola, a 5.5km climb with an overall average of 3% but with some steeper sections. The road is exposed at times but the views are spectacular as it hugs the coast – getting better the closer you get to the top. As soon as you get over the first climb there is a short (3km) descent with some sharp hairpins and more spectacular views. You are normally riding this section in the morning. On a nice day the first section of this is ecstasy. At the bottom of the descent is a short tunnel and then you are climbing again – this is not a ride for the flat lovers.
What is the Mallorca Coast to Coast second climb?
The second climb is Coll des Pi, a short but steeper 3km climb to the small town of Estellencs. This is probably the prettiest part of the ride with huge views of the ocean to your left. The road rolls along the coast and then inland and you need to ensure you make the left turn to Valldemossa. There are a few extra climbs you can do turning off from the Ma-10, good if you want to have a massive day or are in a mixed speed group and you want to add variety for some riders. The first of these is the 5km descent and then climb from Port de Valldemossa (very fun).
There is a second left turn just before the town of Valldemossa as the road rolls to Deia and back close to the ocean. This section is stunning and quick before you leave the coastal section and descent into the mountain town of Soller. This descent is quick with some sharp corners and at the bottom you hit a fairly main road. After a left turn and immediate right, you are back on the Ma-10 and on the biggest climb on the island – Puig Major.
This is a full 14km, a proper mountain climb, averaging just over 6% with a short flat section in the middle. The climb heads out of Soller and part the village of Fornalutx with some great views down to the valley below. The gradients are steady, rarely going over 7% and this is a great climb to find a rhythm and spin to the top. As you get to the summit you reach the highest point of the island, head through a short tunnel and from here it is mostly downhill home.
Add on the Sa Calobra
The countryside now is vastly different from the arid coastal roads of the morning as you descent past mountain lakes. This is another fast and very fun part of the ride until you reach the next possible add-on climb at Sa Calobra. Adding on this famous climb makes it a very hard day out and adds on around an hour.
From the top of Sa Calobra the road rolls to Lluc and you then descend the Coll de Femenia, a 7.5km descent with a couple of blind corners and then some great views down to Port de Pollensa. At the bottom of the climb the road levels off for the first flat kms of the day. The road is mostly protected from the wind and this is a great section for some through & offs / chainganging in your groups to get home quickly. Through Pollensa go straight over and finish on the other coast from where you started back in Port de Pollensa. An epic, varied & beautiful ride.
Mallorca Coast to Coast package
Ride Mallorca Coast to Coast with us. We take residency in Mallorca from March to May with 4 & 7 night packages available, stay at a 4* hotel in Port d’Alcudia for only £499. Book your tour HERE.
