Cycling Formentor: Route, Climbing and Can an Amateur Do It?

Formentor is the most famous road in Mallorca and plenty of pros on carbon bikes ride it. I am an amateur cyclist and I ride just for fun. Even so, I made it to the lighthouse at the end of the peninsula. Here is how it went and how much work it was.

Is Formentor hard?

You feel it at the top, but it is not a mountain stage. The road runs along cliffs above the sea and the highest point I rode was around 220 metres above sea level. Most of the effort goes into the first hill right behind Port de Pollença up to the Mirador de sa Creueta (Es Colomer) viewpoint: according to guidebooks about 3.3 km and 220 metres of climbing. Then you descend and after that it is rolling terrain all the way to the lighthouse.

Strava measured 53 km (33 miles) and 892 metres of climbing for the whole day. Moving time was 2 hours 34 minutes, average 20.7 km/h. The whole day with breaks took almost six hours though, because I stopped at nearly every viewpoint. And that is fine. You are not in a hurry.

What is the route to Formentor?

• From Port de Pollença along the MA-2210 road up to the Mirador de sa Creueta viewpoint.
• Descend and turn right past Formentor beach.
• Then on through forest and along the cliffs to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor.
• Back the same way.

According to guidebooks it is about 20 km (12 miles) from Port de Pollença to the lighthouse. My Strava shows 25 because I rode a few extra kilometres around town. For there and back, expect 36 to 40 km (22 to 25 miles).

When to set off and what to take?

I started around half past ten in the morning in March. It was cold and windy, so I was glad of a jacket. The weather on the cliffs also changes fast, see the photo with the storm clouds. Take a windproof jacket and water.

The lighthouse is a tourist destination, so cars and coaches go there too. If you can, set off as early as possible so you have the road to yourself. A helmet is compulsory outside towns.

What is at the top?

The lighthouse, a view of the cliffs and the sea on both sides, and above all the feeling that you made it. We had a snack and the goat asked for its share.

By the lighthouse there is a bistro with a café, so you don't need to carry anything for a snack. According to reviews they have good coffee and Mallorcan pastries, for example empanadas or cocas. Prices are said to be on the high side and there is little parking. Check the opening hours before you go, as it is the only place at the lighthouse where you can buy anything.

Where to hire a bike and where to stay?

I had a bike hired at the hotel. Where to hire, how much it costs and where I stayed you will find in the main article about cycling in Mallorca.

If you don't want to ride, there are also trips to Formentor. Search for them on GetYourGuide, for example with a boat to Formentor beach.