Sa Calobra from Alcudia

Sa Calobra from Alcúdia: Beauty and Challenge

This is the ideal option if you are staying in the north of Mallorca. It combines the beauty of the Bay of Pollensa with the majesty of the Serra de Tramuntana, attacking Sa Calobra from the north. The more relaxed return allows you to finish by riding alongside the Albufera Natural Park.

Route Details: The Great Adventure

1. Phase I: The Epic Awakening (Alcudia - Pollença)

   
• Starting Point: Alcudia.
   
• Route: We head out towards Pollença, skirting the Bay of Pollensa. If you start early, witnessing the sunrise over the bay is an unforgettable experience.
   
• Transition: A long, quiet straight road from Port de Pollença leads us to the town of Pollença, the mountain's antechamber.

2. Phase II: The Gentle Giant (Coll de Femenia)

We leave Pollença behind to enter a beautiful and peaceful valley. Here begins the first serious ascent of the day: the Coll de Femenia.

   
• Profile: A long climb (8 to 9 km) and very manageable, with an average gradient of 5.5%. It is ideal for finding your rhythm without tiring your legs, as the true challenge awaits.

3. Phase III: Linking Colossuses and the Trap

After cresting Femenia, an undulating stretch of up and down takes us quickly to the summit of the Coll de Sa Batalla. This is the junction point with the route coming from Palma.

   
• Continuation: We continue on the "leg-breaker" stretch until reaching the key turn-off that descends towards Sa Calobra.

4. Phase IV: The Monster and the Final Climb Back

From the turn-off, the strategy is clear: enjoy the spectacular 28-curve descent (including the "Tie Knot") and mentally prepare for the climb.

   
• The Mental Challenge: Every meter you descend, you have to earn it back!
   
• The Ascent (Coll dels Reis): It's time to tackle the 10 km non-stop climb with ramps exceeding 10%. It is the great endurance test that earns you the title of conqueror of the Final Boss.

5. Phase V: Descent and Flat Rolling Return

After conquering the Coll dels Reis, we begin the return, opting for the gentler route:

   
• Friendly Return: We retrace our steps only to the Coll de Sa Batalla. From the top, we start a long, fast descent, passing through Caimari again.
   
• The Final Flat: The route takes us through Campanet and finally leads us onto a pleasant flat road that runs alongside the Albufera Natural Park. Smooth rolling back to Alcúdia.

Strategy and Survival: Keys Before Attacking the Monster

Safety, Traffic, and Climate

To successfully conquer this adventure, planning is as vital as leg strength. Follow these tactical guidelines:

   
• Avoid Crowding: Maximize your experience by riding mid-week. Weekends, and peak season (July/August), bring dense vehicular flow on the Lluc and Sa Calobra roads, compromising your safety and enjoyment.
   
• Maximum Anticipation: Remember you are sharing the road. Be visible and predictable. Be especially cautious of coaches in the Serra and with tourists, who may brake or maneuver suddenly due to distraction.
   
• Combat the Heat: In summer, the risk of sunstroke is real. Start at sunrise to avoid the hottest hours. Sunstroke on the Sa Calobra climb can turn your ride into an inferno if you don't double your hydration reserves.

Effort Management Tactics

   
• Conservative Calculation: This is an ultra-endurance ride. Be strategic with your effort on the early climbs. The total length demands that you be very conservative initially.
   
• The Sa Calobra Axiom: Never forget the fundamental rule: the only way out of the Cala is up. Always reserve energy for those