Palma — Port de Valldemossa & Port des Canonge
About this Route
← Mallorca Cycling GuideTwo of Mallorca's most dramatic and least-discovered coastal descents in a single route from Palma — Port de Valldemossa and Port des Canonge. This is the route for riders who want to go beyond the famous climbs and find the roads that most tourists never reach.
From Paseo Marítimo the route heads northwest over the first ridge via Coll des Vent before entering the western Tramuntana. Port de Valldemossa comes first — often called Sa Calobra's little sister, and rightly so. The descent is one of the most technically demanding and spectacular roads on the island: narrow, winding, with cliff faces and vertical drop-offs at every bend. At the bottom, Es Port restaurant overlooks the small harbour and is the perfect stop for a coffee or a quick espresso before the climb back up. The 4.86 km ascent at 7.5% average is no joke — this is a proper Cat 2 effort.
The historic village of Valldemossa, with its famous monastery and cobbled streets, is the natural café stop before continuing to Port des Canonge — a labyrinth of hairpin bends through pine forest descending to a tiny, completely authentic fishing village where red cliffs meet turquoise water. The silence here is extraordinary. Everything you descend must be climbed back up before the return to Palma.
Coca de Patata — the local potato pastry at Pastisseria Can Molinas in Valldemossa — is close to obligatory.
Port de Valldemossa and Port des Canonge are two descents every cyclist should ride on Mallorca. We knew about them but had kept them for the right day — and this was it.
The route out of Palma is straightforward — flat roads northwest through the suburbs before the Tramuntana begins to rise ahead. The road winds through olive groves and past Esporles before the real character of the day reveals itself.
Port de Valldemossa comes first. The descent is a technical masterpiece — tight switchbacks carved into the cliff face, the road so narrow in places that you wonder how anyone planned it. The asphalt is not perfect, but perfectly rideable. At the bottom, a small restaurant overlooks the harbour. We stopped and ate — good food, complete calm, and an unbeatable view over the sea. Then the climb back up, which is no joke at 7.5% average.
Then Port des Canonge. The road narrows dramatically and winds down through dense pine forest with glimpses of turquoise water below. Hairpin after hairpin, the tiny fishing village appears at the bottom, tucked between red cliffs and the sea. Extraordinary silence. Everything you descended, you climb back up.
Valldemossa village is the natural café stop on the way home — the Coca de Patata at Pastisseria Can Molinas is close to obligatory. The return to Palma from there is quick and pleasant. A route that feels like discovering a side of Mallorca most cyclists never find.
Kilometre by Kilometre
Flat roads northwest out of Palma through the suburbs. The Tramuntana rises ahead as the road winds through olive groves past Esporles toward the junction for Port de Valldemossa.
The first hidden gem. Tight switchbacks carved into the cliff face descend to a small harbour restaurant at sea level — good food and an unbeatable view over the sea. The climb back up is 4.86 km at 7.5% average. A proper Cat 2 effort on roads that feel like they belong to another era.
The road narrows dramatically as it winds down through dense pine forest with glimpses of turquoise water below. The tiny fishing village at the bottom is tucked between red cliffs and the sea — extraordinary silence. Everything you descended must be climbed back up.
The natural café stop after the two big descents. Valldemossa is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain — cobbled streets, the famous monastery and Pastisseria Can Molinas where the Coca de Patata is close to obligatory.
Quick and pleasant valley roads back over the ridge and down to Paseo Marítimo in Palma. A satisfying finish to a route that feels like discovering Mallorca's hidden side.
Gallery
Palma — Port de Valldemossa & Port des Canonge — Map & Elevation
Key Climbs
Subida Port des Canonge
Cat 3Port de Valldemossa — Full Climb
Cat 2Tips & Local Knowledge
- The roads down to both ports are extremely narrow — two cars cannot pass without one stopping. Keep your speed controlled on the descents and be alert for the occasional local vehicle.
- Road surface on the descent to Port de Valldemossa is rougher than most Mallorcan roads — particularly on the inside of hairpin bends. Take care.
- Es Port restaurant at the bottom of Port de Valldemossa is a perfect stop — a quick espresso before the climb back up. Do not linger too long or cold muscles will make the 7.5% harder.
- Valldemossa village is the natural café stop on the return — try the Coca de Patata at Pastisseria Can Molinas for a local pastry that provides exactly the right amount of sugar for the ride home.
- Port de Valldemossa is quieter than Sa Calobra but the climb is comparable in intensity — treat it with the same respect.
- Start early from Palma — both ports are best in the morning before any tourist traffic builds up on the narrow approach roads.
Rider Reviews
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Passionate road cyclist and founder of CyclingRoutes.cc. Always hunting for the perfect asphalt and the best coffee stops.
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Route Details
For experienced cyclists. Significant elevation and demanding distances.