Backroads of Mallorca Cycling Holiday

Backroads of Mallorca

8 Days & 7 Nights 3.5 Read 2 reviews

Cycle the serene Mediterranean coastline of Mallorca
Roll through fishing villages and explore hidden coves
Pedal the Bay of Pollenca and S’Albufera wetland nature reserve
Refuel with a traditional paella lunch and local wine
Visit the Lluc Monastery, deep in the UNESCO Serra Tramuntana mountains

Discover the tranquil back roads and paths of Mallorca by bike; the island is a haven for cyclists with a web of traffic-free routes. Cycle through blossom-filled orchards and alongside azure Mediterranean coastlines dotted with charming fishing villages and golden beaches. Besides superb cycling, indulge in Mallorca’s fantastic natural larder of fresh seafood, and explore its pristine natural habitats; salt pans, caves of stalactites, bird-filled wetlands and a myriad of tiny swimming coves all waiting to be discovered. With an average of nearly 2800 hours of sunshine each year, you can be sure of a healthy boost of vitamin D!

What To Expect

If you’re looking for sunshine, great food and a network of quiet backroads to discover on two wheels, then Mallorca is everything you could wish for. There is so much more to this Balearic gem than tourist resorts — salt pans, golden bays, caves, wetlands and the Serra Tramuntana mountains. This loop tour takes in the highlights, with transfers to avoid the steeper ascents.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active holiday.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Cycling | A classic point to point cycling holiday, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, First Timers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Coastal & Island
National Parks & Trails

Grade & Terrain

This cycle tour is graded easy to moderate, with minimal ascents and enjoyable descents over daily dstances varying between 20-60 km. Sections of challenging ascent are skipped by local tram/bus transfer. We recommend a good level of fitness to allow you to make the most of your holiday. Cycle largely on quiet side roads, field paths and some hiking paths, always with as little traffic as possible. Inevitably there is more traffic as you near towns. Our local partner operates a support bus for the duration of your trip for support if needed.

Navigation

We supply you with detailed route notes so you will be able to easily follow the route. You will have a welcome meeting after breakfast on day 2 (your first day of cycling) to talk you through the route and assist you with any questions you may have.

Accommodation Information

The hotels featured on this tour offer great value, delicious food and a warm welcome to cyclists. The accommodations we normally use are detailed in the itinerary, please note these are subject to availability at the time of booking so alternative properties of the same or better standard may be offered.

You can add extra nights at the start or end of your trip, but due to luggage transfer logistics, it is not possible to add nights during the trip itself.

Included

7 Nights in 3* and 4* hotels
7 Breakfasts
6 Dinners
1 Traditional paella lunch with wine
Baggage transfers
City tour of Palma
"Red Bolt" tram from Soller to Palma
Transfer from Inka via Lluc to Serra de Son Torella (day 6)
Route notes, maps and detailed information pack
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to / from Mallorca
Bike hire (hybrid or e-bike)
1 Dinner
Lunches, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights at the beginning or end of the trip
Bike hire
E-bike hire

When To Go

You can start your cycle tour on Sundays in March-June and September-October. During the summer months the weather is too hot and Mallorca can be very crowded.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Palma is the best airport for the tour and is just 15-20 mins from El Arenal. Many carriers fly into Palma from the UK and across Europe, including British Airways, Iberia, and the low-cost airlines Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2.com. From Palma Airport it is a 10 minute taxi ride to El Arenal (approx. 15 EUR), or a 25 minute bus for a few EUR. Full details are available in your information pack.

Baggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are included in the trip arrangements. Your luggage will be transferred between your accommodations each night (please limit your bags to 20kg per person).

General Information

Equipment

Hybrid (21 gear) bikees are available for rental and come equipped with a small repair kit, 1 rear pannier, handlebar bag, pump, spare tube and a water bottle holder. E-bikes are also available if you'd like a little battery-powered assistance along the way.

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants) for any showers, sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard cycling gear such as good cycling footwear, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, along with a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

When is the best time of year?

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in El Arenal Day 2 Cycle to Colonia de San Jordi 34 miles / 55 km Day 3 Cycle to Porto Cristo (via Cuevas del Drach) 37 miles / 60 km

Begin today with a cycle through the pretty residential town of Ses Salines, with its long straight Roman streets and historic sandstone buildings that seem to glow in the sunshine. Thanks to its unspoilt landscapes, this is a designated ‘Area of Special Scenic and Rural Interest’. You may like to stop off at Botanicactus, the biggest botanical garden in Europe, before continuing on to the picturesque bay near Cala Satany.

Pass through small fishing villages to the famous natural bridge ‘Es Pontas’. The Cuevas (caves) del Drach are found near Porto Cristo—and are definitely worth a visit, with their impressive stalactites.

Ascent: 270m

Overnight Porto Cristo

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Felip

Modern Hotel Felip is on the beach, located in Portocristo, an old fisher's town, very near beautiful beaches like Cala Mendia or Cala Romantica. Hotel has a wellness centre with a gym, jacuzzi, heated pool, sauna and hammam to relax at the end of a day in the saddle. You can book massage and body treatments (payable locally). Rooms all have free WiFi.

Aparthotel Portodrach

These beautiful and modern designed apartments are located in the old fisher’s town Porto Cristo. The apartments are very near stunning beaches like Cala Mendia or Cala Romantica. There’s a shared swimming pool and each room features free WiFi, a seating area with flatscreen TV and private bathroom.

Hotell Castell dels Hams

The Hotel Castell dels Hams in Porto Cristo is the ideal place to spend your holidays. Located in the countryside surrounded by lush vegetation, it has facilities designed for the delight of both children and adults: swimming pools, tennis courts, volleyball nets, children's park. The beautiful, old fishing village Porto Cristo is only 2 kilometres away and the hotel offers a free, daily bus service so you can enjoy a beautiful fine sand beach with shallow water.