Sa Calobra from Palma

Sa Calobra: The Final Boss of the Serra

If you are looking for the **toughest and most rewarding cycling experience in Mallorca**, you have just found the ultimate challenge. This is probably one of the most demanding routes possible on the island, and it undoubtedly requires **good fitness levels**. With more than **2500 meters of accumulated ascent**, the effort is concentrated on the giants of the Serra: the climb from Sa Calobra to the Coll dels Reis is, along with the Puig Major, one of the island's longest and hardest, featuring ramps that **will exceed 10%** in key sections. Get ready, because this route is **Final Boss level**.

The Legendary Route: Palma > Sa Calobra > Sóller (The Grand Adventure)

This is the ride they talk about. It’s a long-distance challenge that combines the beauty of Mallorca’s interior with the majesty of the Serra, accumulating nearly **3000 meters of ascent** in one epic day. Prepare your legs and your camera!

1. Phase I: Rolling Towards the Mountain (Palma - Caimari)

We start in Palma with a quiet, flat stretch, perfect for warming up the body. We’ll ride along secondary roads crossing charming villages like Santa Maria, Consell, and Binissalem, enjoying the island's rural landscape until reaching Lloseta. This rolling section is key to reserving energy before the road tilts up. In Caimari, the adventure truly begins.

2. Phase II: The First Major Effort (Coll de Sa Batalla)

In Caimari, we attack the first big climb: the Coll de Sa Batalla.

• Profile: A very enjoyable ascent of **7 km** with an average gradient of **5.5%**. It's a long, steady pass, ideal for finding your climbing rhythm without over-punishing yourself.
• Transition: After cresting, the terrain becomes beautifully undulating, leading us through a "rolling" section up to the key point: the turn-off towards Sa Calobra.

3. Phase III: The Beauty of the Trap (Descent to the Sea)

After a brief rest at the Coll dels Reis (the highest point before the descent), the most spectacular, and mentally challenging, part of the route begins.

• The Descent: Enjoy the **28 curves** that take you down to the sea. The engineering is incredible, highlighted by the **"Tie Knot" (Nudo de Corbata)**.
• The Mental Challenge: Once at the bottom, don't forget that every meter you enjoyed descending, you have to earn back! Down at the Cala de Sa Calobra, refill your bottles and take a deep breath.

4.  Phase IV: The Great Remount (The 10 km Monster)

This is the main event. The climb back up to Coll dels Reis is **10 kilometres with almost no rest**.

• The Challenge: The gradient is constant, demanding sustained effort. The toughest ramps **exceed 10%**, a test of character and legs for any cyclist. Climbing this pass, with accumulated fatigue, is what earns you the title of **conqueror of the Final Boss**.

5. Phase V: The Epic Return (Puig Major and Sóller)

Instead of taking the easy way back, we complete the legend:

• The Lakes: From Coll dels Reis, we ride towards the lakes of Cúber and Gorg Blau and briefly ascend to the Monnàber Tunnel.
• Descent to Sóller: A well-deserved reward awaits: a long **14 km descent** down to the Sóller valley. Relax your arms and enjoy!
• The Final Effort: From Sóller, one last quiet and beautiful pass remains: the **7 km climb of Coll de Sóller**. Its traffic-free curves are the last medal of the day.

Mission Accomplished: The Roll back to Palma

Once you conquer the Coll de Sóller, a long, gentle descent awaits you to the capital. Congratulations! You have completed Mallorca's toughest route. You've earned dinner, and more importantly, the story to tell.

Survival Tips and Key Points

A "Final Boss" route demands a well-defined strategy. Pay close attention to these safety and effort management tips to ensure a successful and pleasant ride.

Safety, Traffic, and Climate

• Avoid Crowds: Try to ride **mid-week** and outside of July and August. On weekends, especially in summer, the Lluc road and the MA-2141 (Sa Calobra) suffer from serious **crowding**, reducing enjoyment and safety.
• Open Traffic: Remember you are cycling in **open traffic**. Be extremely **careful with coaches in the Serra** (which have priority on blind corners) and with **tourist cars**, whose behaviour can be erratic while admiring the landscape. Be visible and predictable.
• The Summer Inferno: **Heat in the central months** can be brutal. Go out very early (at sunrise) to avoid peak sun hours. Sunstroke on the Sa Calobra climb is a serious risk if you don't hydrate properly.

Effort Management Tactics

• Be Conservative: The route is very long and tough. You must be extremely **conservative** with your effort early on.
• No Escape: Remember the golden rule of Sa Calobra: **once you have descended, there is no choice but to climb back up**. Always reserve energy for those final 10 kilometres of ascent to Coll dels Reis.

Refueling: Where to Stop

Good nutritional strategy is your best ally. These are the essential refueling points:

• Lluc / Coll de Sa Batalla (Start of the Serra):

  This is a classic cycling stop. You'll find the **Coll de Sa Batalla Gas Station** or the famous **Can Gallet**. You'll see they are well-prepared to serve cyclists, sometimes even offering a small repair spot for mechanical issues.

• Sóller (After the Descent):

  Any of the bars and supermarkets in Sóller town will serve you. However, there is an **Agromart** right at the end of the Puig Major descent, which can be a very convenient spot to stop and recover with local products before tackling the final Coll de Sóller.

• Sa Calobra (Bottom of the Cala):

  There are a couple of **bars** when you reach sea level. They are your only option to refill water before the climb. **Important:** Given their remote and tourist location, check that they are open and note that prices, logically, will not be cheap.