Palma — Sa Batalla, Sa Calobra & Puig Major Epic
About this Route
← Mallorca Cycling GuideThe ultimate challenge for riders based in or near Palma — conquering Mallorca's highest peaks in a single day from sea level at the harbour. Coll de Sóller, Puig Major, Sa Calobra and Sa Batalla: four of the island's most celebrated climbs, all in one epic loop.
From Paseo Marítimo the route heads out across the flat plain before Col de Sóller arrives — five kilometres of switchbacks with light traffic. Down into the Sóller valley for lunch before the biggest climb of the day: Puig Major, Mallorca's highest accessible point by bike, finishing inside the Monnàber tunnel at 872 metres.
Then comes Sa Calobra — descended first on the famous corkscrew road to Torrent de Pareis at sea level, then climbed back out. 10 kilometres at 7% average, 26 hairpins. Everything you descend, you climb.
The Repsol station at the top of Sa Batalla marks the final summit. From there a long descent through pine forest and flat roads carry you back to Palma. A day that earns its difficulty rating.
What a day. Six of us, 150 kilometres, four of the island's greatest climbs — all in one loop from Palma.
The flat roads out of Palma give you time to warm up before Col de Sóller arrives. Five kilometres of switchbacks, light traffic, a steady gradient you can settle into. We came down the other side into the Sóller valley and stopped in Port de Sóller for lunch. A beautiful small harbour, good restaurants, sea views. A proper stop before the biggest climb of the day.
Puig Major is a different kind of climb. Exposed, warm, little shade on the upper slopes. The effort accumulates steadily. But the reward at the top is one of those sensations you remember — riding into the cool darkness of the Monnàber tunnel after the heat of the climb.
Sa Calobra is the number one climb on Mallorca — an engineering masterpiece. Descend first, carefully: tourist buses appear around blind corners and the Nus de sa Corbata loop where the road passes under itself is worth every second. Restaurants at the harbour before the climb back up. Long and demanding — hold something in reserve for the upper hairpins.
From the Sa Calobra summit the route continues to the Repsol station at the top of Sa Batalla. The descent through pine forest is fast and flowing. After that it is flat roads all the way back to Palma. Once Sa Batalla is behind you, the serious climbing is done — just roll home and think about afterbike.
Kilometre by Kilometre
Flat roads northeast out of Palma through Santa Maria del Camí. Good warm-up kilometres before the mountains arrive.
Col de Sóller begins at km 17.5 — 5 kilometres of switchbacks at a steady gradient with light traffic. Summit at km 23, then a fast descent into the Sóller valley. Port de Sóller at km 35 is the natural lunch stop — harbour restaurants with sea views before the biggest climb of the day.
Puig Major begins at km 37.8 — exposed, warm and relentless. Summit at km 51.7 inside the Monnàber tunnel at 872 metres. Riding into the cool darkness of the tunnel after the heat of the upper slopes is one of the great moments of Mallorcan cycling.
From the Puig Major tunnel the road descends toward the Sa Calobra junction. The descent begins at km 62.8 — including the famous Nus de sa Corbata 270-degree loop. Ride carefully: tourist buses share the road. Bottom of Sa Calobra at km 72.8 — restaurants and a kiosk at the harbour. The climb back up is 10 km at 7% average. Summit at km 83.5. Hold something in reserve for the upper hairpins.
From the Sa Calobra summit the route continues to the Repsol station at km 94.3 — the top of Sa Batalla. Stop here before the fast, flowing descent through pine forest to Caimari at km 103. After this point the serious climbing is done.
From Caimari the route rolls south through Inca and the flat agricultural plain back to Paseo Marítimo in Palma. Roll home and think about afterbike.
Gallery
Palma — Sa Batalla, Sa Calobra & Puig Major Epic — Map & Elevation
Key Climbs
Tips & Local Knowledge
- Lights are essential — you will pass through several tunnels, especially near Puig Major. Do not skip this.
- Check the weather forecast before setting out. Temperatures at Gorg Blau and Cúber can be significantly colder than in Palma — pack a wind vest.
- The café at the top of Coll de Sa Batalla is a Mallorcan institution — stop for coffee and food before tackling Puig Major and Sa Calobra.
- Eat a proper lunch in Sóller before Coll de Sóller. The town square is famous for fresh-pressed orange juice from the valley — this is not a stop to rush.
- Sa Calobra (Coll dels Reis) — 10 km descent with the famous 270-degree loop, followed by the full climb back up. Restaurants at the harbour are worth using before the ascent.
- Bunyola is a good final stop before the flat run into Palma if you need it — a pleasant town square and well-positioned at the foot of the last descent.
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
Elite level. Extreme elevation, altitude and distance. Serious preparation required.