The Hotels Viva Blog

Calling all cyclists! Sa Calobra, Mallorca’s most adventurous cycling route

Written by Elisabeth Blue | May 23, 2019 9:00:00 AM

Sa Calobra is one of the exquisite gems tucked away in the north east of Mallorca. Located in the peerless Sierra de Tramontana, it consists of an impressive pair of beaches separated by the Torrent de Pareis ravine. Apart from its beauty, another of its characteristics is the fact that getting to Sa Calobra is by no means easy rather the opposite.

The seas and area surrounding Sa Calobra are idyllic, with their crystal-clear water and a turquoise hue that is impossible to forget. It is an unspoilt region, devoid of tour parties, sunbeds and beach parasols for hire. Here, nature at its purest still reigns supreme over the landscape.

The two beaches lie between prominent rocky cliffs, which act as a kind of protective mantle. And since it is not possible to get there using the main road that traverses the sierra, there is no option but to take a secondary and much more tortuous road. This accounts for the fact that many people arrive by ferry, ensuring a much more comfortable journey. But for those who love excitement and are in good physical shape, one alternative is the bicycle.

Mallorca cycling at its finest

If you’re a lover of cycling you have a real treat in store with the Sa Calobra cycling route. One option is to climb Puig Major, the highest peak on the island, which involves a major ascent, given that you climb 880 metres in barely 10 km, and then launch yourself in the direction of Sa Calobra, taking a road that snakes its way through an incredibly unspoilt natural landscape.

If you take the MA-2141 road you will find a short (approximately 3 km) but demanding uphill stretch towards Coll de Ca Els Reis. And then comes the descent, taking you along a road carved out of the rockface, providing a truly exhilarating and exciting ride. In the middle of the descent you’ll come to a 360° bend that has the revealing nickname of “El nudo de la Corbata” (the tie knot). No more explanation is required!

 

It’s all well worth the effort, if only for the spectacular views of the sea and Puig Major, among much else. A visit to the Torrent de Pareis is obligatory: this ravine, descending steeply down to a river, is simply awe-inspiring and spectacular.

You can download the details of this route, some 26 km long and of considerable difficulty,

We invite you to go cycle touring in a more family-friendly atmosphere

Several of our hotels are perfect for engaging in cycling and other sports, but perhaps VIVA Blue & Spa is one of the aparthotels that best combines sport, family and leisure.

It is a place capable of being appreciated both by the most inveterate sportspeople and by children and grown-ups looking for more relaxing holidays or family-friendly holidays. Everything is possible and there’s time to do it all.

From this extraordinary hotel, with a fantastic location in the S’Alfubera Natural Park, you’ll be able to plan amazing cycling trips. We have a magnificent Cycling Station and professional gym, and you can relax with our massages, sauna and jacuzzi as well as enjoying our kids’ offering, with a mini-club and pirate boat, among many other surprises.

Are you coming?