Mallorca's Cycling Highlights

26/8/2020

1. Sa Calobra (The Cycling Serpent)

Summary

The best known and toughest climb in Mallorca, Team INEOS's unofficial pre-season testing ground and a magnet to tourists of all kinds. A twisting ribbon of road in the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains, which snakes down limestone cliffs from the peak of the Coll del Reis (Neck of Kings), to the port village of Sa Calobra.

History

Designed by Italian / Spanish engineer Antonio Parietti and opened in 1933, Sa Calobra is a marvel of engineering. It was built entirely by hand, the 26 bends following the contours of the cliffs and based on the design of a neck tie. The 'knot' of the tie is represented by a 270 degree Spiral Bridge at the top of the climb. Interestingly, the road was one of the first engineered purely with tourism in mind.

Cycle Facts

Sa Calobra is a Category 1 climb 9.44 km in length with an average gradient of 7% (12% max), rising 668 metres to a peak of 731 metres.

KOM: Ed Laverack - 24:36 (Apr 28 2022) 378 average watts; 23.0 km/h average speed
QOM: Mavi Garcia - 29:51 (May 30 2020) 19.0 km/h
KOM (unofficial) - 22:30 (2012) Bradley Wiggins at Sky's Winter Training Camp before the Tour De France Victory.

Need to Know

There are only three ways to reach Sa Calobra and all pass the Coll de Reis - 2.6 km at 6% average gradient.
1. Coll de Femenia (Cat 2) - 7.2 km - 6% av grad - 407 m (heading west from Pollenca)
2. Coll de Sa Batalla (Cat 2) - 7.8 km - 5% av grad - 381 m (heading north from Caimari)
3. Puig Major / Soller (Cat 2) - 14.8 km - 5.8% av grad - 842 m (heading east from Soller)
This makes Sa Calobra tough to ride to and it is an 'out and back' ride so expect a long, hard day in the saddle.

Climb breakdown:

1-5 km: The road winds up through the trees and passes a dramatic rock arch with gradients between 6-8 %
5-10 km: The hairpins begin as the gradient kicks up to 7-8% and delivers a final sting in the tail in the last km with gradients of 9-10%

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3 Comments

Helen M Scholfield

28/8/2020 13:01:56

Wow!! What a road. It looks beyond spectacular. As a newby cyclist, I think trying it would be a million steps too far!!!!
Hope things are going well.

Phil Welch

17/12/2020 10:30:46

Thanks Helen - It is an amazing road for sure. I hope you are enjoying your cycling in the UK.

17/7/2022 17:04:02

A truly amazing climb that you have captured in this evocative article.

One of the most iconic climbs in road cycling.

Author

Level 3 Road & Time Trial Cycle Coach with British Cycling (BC) & the Association of British Cyclists (ABBC)

National Master Wattbike Instructor

Cycle Strength & Conditioning Coach

Cycle Trip Leader

Sports Scientist (Honours degree in PE & Sports Science - Loughborough University)

Postgraduate Teaching degree in PE & History (Loughborough University)

Silver Medalist in WEMBO's World MTB 24 hour 40-44 solo at Finale Ligure, Italy, 2012

Silver Medalist at the Australian National MTB 24 hour 40-44 solo, 2012 & 2013

I have completed several of the World's biggest stage races, including the Crocodile Trophy in Australia, the Mongolia Bike Challenge, the Sudety in Poland and the Andalucia Bike Race

Significant Results

Stage Races

Crocodile Trophy 2013, Australia - 5th
Port 2 Port 2014, Australia - 4th
Sudety MTB Challenge 2014, Poland / Czech Republic - 15th
Mongolia Bike Challenge 2014 - 6th

24 Hours

WEMBO World 24 hour Solo, Italy, 2012 - 2nd
Australian National 24 hour Solo, 2013 - 2nd
Australian National 24 hour Solo, 2012 - 2nd
Scott 24 hour Solo, 2012 - 1st
Sydney 24 hour, 2011 - 1st

7 hour Enduro Series

Rocky Trail 7 hour Series, 2013 - 1st
Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2013 - 3rd
Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2012 - 3rd
Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2011 - 1st

12 hour Enduros

Sydney 12 hr, 2014 - 1st
Sydney 12 hr, 2013 - 1st
Sydney 12 hr, 2012 - 1st

6+6 hour Enduros

National 6+6, 2014 - 1st
Sydney 6+6, 2013 - 1st
Sydney 6+6, 2010 - 1st