Cap Formentor, Sa Batalla & Sa Calobra

The queen stage. Three of Mallorca's most iconic climbs in a single day — and a day you will not forget.

We started early for Cap Formentor, and the decision paid off immediately. The peninsula road in the early morning, before the tourist buses arrive, is something else entirely — quiet, dramatic limestone cliffs above turquoise water, the lighthouse appearing at the end of the road. We were on the road by 8am and had it almost to ourselves. After the return to Port de Pollença we stopped for a late breakfast — a good call before the real climbing began.

Sa Batalla is not the hardest climb on the island, but it might be the most enjoyable. Perfect asphalt, a steady and forgiving gradient, tall pine trees on both sides. We rode it at a comfortable pace and arrived at the Repsol station at the top feeling good. The ritual: everyone gathers, fills bottles, eats something at the café.

Then Sa Calobra.

The descent first — "La Serp", The Snake. 26 hairpins corkscrewing 9.5 kilometres down to the hidden cove of Torrent de Pareis. Spectacular and technical — enjoy it, but ride carefully. Tourist buses share the road and they do not always leave much room around blind corners. At the bottom there are restaurants and a kiosk at the water's edge.

Then the climb back out. The same 9.5 kilometres, the same 26 hairpins, now at 7% average. It is tough — especially after everything that has come before — but the views opening up on the upper hairpins make it bearable. At the top, where the Sa Calobra road meets the main mountain road, there is a kiosk. We stopped here, ate, refilled, and let the legs recover before the final roll back to Port de Pollença. Exactly what was needed.

This is the day that defines a Mallorca cycling trip.