The longest climb in Mallorca that feels like a proper col from the Alps, Pyrenees or Dolomites but with local flavour, the fresh air of pine trees and amazing views of Soller disappearing below. It’s location makes it normally the middle part of a decent day (including the amazing Mallorca coast to coast route) but this is an absolute must ride in Mallorca.

When to ride Puig Major

The ri

Riding Puig Major

There are two ways up to the highest pass in Mallorca. The shorter route (ultimately from Port de Pollensa) is a quick but very pretty 4km climb from near the top of Sa Calobra but the main side is from Soller, the main town in the Tramuntana mountains. If you are staying in Port de Pollensa or Alcudia, the route here will have already taken to over at least one climb (the Coll de Soller is very fun and a great warm up) so you will be hitting Puig Major late morning.

As you ride past Soller on the Ma-11, you will take a right (well signposted) onto the Ma-10, the main coastal road in Mallorca connecting Andratx to Port de Pollensa so you will stay on this road all the way home. Despite being so close to one of bigger towns in Mallorca, the road quickly gets out of town and if it wasn’t for the regular traffic and smooth, modern road surface, this could feel like a quite remote pass.

The gradients are very consistent on the climb and the road twists and turns regularly so you always have a different view. Mostly you are shaded by the pine trees that cover the road and the rocks on the left. The first 8.4km stays between 5 and 8%, averaging 6% and then there is a short 500m flat / downhill section. After this, the top 5km again becomes consistent averagin 6.5% as you head away towards the tunnel under the peak of the mountain.

The final couple of kms contain a couple of long hairpins until you reach the summit just before the tunnel. There is a small parking bay with great views below which makes a good waiting point for the rest of your group before heading through the tunnel (back lights advised) and enjoying the lovely rolling descent all the way back to Port de Pollensa / Alcudia.