Elevation Plan
Cycling Route for Coll de Femenia, Mallorca
Cycling Guide for Coll de Femenia:
Cycling a westward route across Mallorca and climbing Coll de Femenia is the perfect route for your second day on the island. It's the gentle way up into the mountains and rewards you with a fast & bendy descent down Sa Batalla. Think rolling flats, smooth climbing, an epic descent and plenty of small villages to get you into the 'Mallorca vibe'. This 75km cycling route will take about 3.5 hours to complete at a steady pace, including coffee stops and of course team photos.
Setting off from the Velovie Clubhouse you'll take the now familiar route around Alcudia Old Town and along the bay to Port de Pollenca... but this time you'll turn left about half way around the bay and divert to Pollenca Old Town. This is a great backroad which is particularly good for a sunset spin as you head west amongst the palm trees (check out the video further down). You'll hit a roundabout as you come into Pollenca, so take a quick right along the east perimeter road and the next roundabout will put you onto the MA10. This famous road runs right along the north coast of the island, and features in nearly all of the mountain routes in Mallorca... So hang a left to jump onto it and you'll be set for the next 50 minutes.
You'll have 5km of lovely flat ahead, so take the time to have a drink and soak up some of the sunshine. through the trees. As you progress you'll see the the imposing silhouettes of Coll de Femenia on the right and Puig Tomir on the left... And this road takes you up to the ridge where they meet.
The Coll de Femenia is an absolute joy to climb. With with very little traffic all year round, silky smooth tarmac, views back towards the bay and the occasional small friendly goat... It has it all! The 7.5km stretch boasts an average of 5.5% so take it steady and expect to finish in anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes. There's a sign at the peak which may catch you by surprise, so keep yours eyes peeled and be sure to stop for a team photo. That's one more epic climb in the bank.
From there it's some punchy rolling hills along the top of the mountain, bringing you past Lluc (which is another good option for refuelling) and nicely up to the top of the Sa Batalla descent. You'll know when you're there because it's the only T-junction on this road. Glance left at the junction and you'll see a Repsol petrol station perhaps 100m down on the left, which is bolted on to a pretty solid cafe stop. Head there and take a load off! You'll see plenty of cyclists here, and whilst there is zero chance of scoring a flat white, you can get water, coffee, cold drinks and all sorts of food supplies. The team there are also friendly and speak a bit of english so you're all good. If it's a bit nippy outside then we thoroughly recommend their super thick hot chocolate - good for energy, and great for the soul.
When you're ready to go it's straight into the fun stuff... A punchy descent, through 17 turns of Sa Batalla! Time to burn off that second almond Magnum 😂. Suffice to say it's very fast and technical, so enjoy the free speed but take extra care for oncoming traffic and blind corners. If you're going for photos over a PB then there are two photo spots that we can recommend:
The first is near the top at turn 7 (working down and including the first turn, just after the Repsol station). It's the last of a group of hairpins, and has a viewing platform over the oncoming valley towards Inca. Check it out on google maps in advance here.
The second is about 3/4 of the way down. You'll see a small lay-by on the outside of a hairpin (see google maps here), which gives you a another great shot with the steep descent behind you:
<<< A Video of the Batalla descent is just being edited! >>>
From there take your foot off the gas as you'll quickly roll into rumble strips outside the village of Caimari. Random fact for you: James Blunt has a house here (and a pub in London's Chelsea). Then it's just a quick left turn and following the long backroad to Pollenca, with a warm-down along the coast to Alcudia. You'll have the sun on your back and with a bit of luck a good tailwind, so sit back and enjoy yourself. You'll be home in about 45 minutes.
Multiple coffee stops:
We have flagged the cafe at the Repsol petrol station (at the top of Sa Batalla) as the best option all year around... But there are other choices that you should have in mind heading into the summer: (keep an eye out as we'll be doing detailed reviews of each soon!)
Sa Ruta Verda, Caimari: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Google Maps
A long standing 'feed zone & speak easy' on the Mallorcan cycling map, Sa Ruta Verda took a hiatus through 2023 but we're excited to see it re-opening again in March 2024!
Es Parc, Selva: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Google Maps
Café Sa Plaça, Lluc: Website | Google Maps
Repsol Cafe at Colle de Batalla: Instagram | Google Maps
This Mallorca Cycling Route to Fermenia & down Sa Batalla is another perfect day cycling in Mallorca. With a long steady climb, a short descent (that is as fast as it is winding!) and several great lunch spots prepare you for a delightfully flat ride back to base.
Going for a KOM?
Coll de Femenia has some incredible KOM & QOMs, and it's great fun to have a look through them over a coffee. You'll be following in the footsteps of some absolute legends, like Ben Zwiehoff, Harry Sweeny and Mavi Garcia. So when you get back to the Clubhouse you can see how close you are to the pace of the pro's.
The first 2 hairpins at km 1km and 1.8km are the steepest sections with short 12% & 13.5% turns, so make sure you hit these hard to not lose any speed. Then hold it steady up til 3km where there is another small (but straight) 13% kicker.
They key to smashing your mates times though lies in the small flats at 4.5km and 6.5km. Most people insticitvely ease of on lower gradients, so show 'em who's boss by using these sections to push harder than ever! Give it 80% at the first and 90% and the second - then it's all out for the last km. Rolling corners, average 5% and full gas to the finish whoop whoop!!! Just don't stop until you've hit the sign!
Inspiration
Videos, & new photos are on their way!
Tips & Advice
Are 'Port de Pollenca' & 'Pollenca' the same place?:
Nope these are two different towns. You'll see the same arrangement with other towns including Alcudia, whereby the 'old towns' tend to be inland, and the 'port towns' are the newer settlements built on the coast.
The flats after Sa Batalla can get HOT ...
Whilst January to May is almost perfect cycling weather, once you edge into June and July things can get a little spicy. Imagine a real world version of Watopia desert flats! If you're riding this route on a hot afternoon please make sure you have plenty of water before you hit the long flats back to Pollenca (from the bottom of Sa Batella). It's only 20km, but with peak heat it can be very easy to overheat!
"I saved a goat there once." – Ricc from Watford talking about Femenia
"Sa Rutaverda is such a great place to stop, and right at the bottom of Sa Battalla. You'll have to get down there when they open again in the spring!." – Mike from Wales
Summary
Cycling to Coll de Femenia is the perfect second day for your Mallorca cycling holiday! Think of it as dipping your toes into the Tramuntana mountain range, and choose something like Sacolobra for the next day. What ever you choose, you can download the route files at the top of the page, join our Strava Club here, and share this post with your friends.
Let the community know how you find the ride by adding your thoughts
& advice in the comments!
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