North to South or South to North?
Where to start on the best cycle route in Mallorca?
We have started to run a late afternoon scheduled return bike bus service from Sant Elm to Port Pollenca so we thought this would be the ideal time to examine the differences between riding this fantastic cycle route from a starting point in the South (Andratx) or in the North (Port Pollenca).
Let’s look at the Strava stats of the most direct routes first:
Andratx to Port Pollenca vanilla. 115km with 2,876m of climbing.
Port Pollenca to Andratx vanilla. 115km with 2,958m of climbing.
If you decide to add on any of the wonderful extras such as Sa Calobra, Port Valldemossa and Port des Canonge, as they are out and back routes, distance and climbing stats will be identical.
Overall the total amount of climbing is nearly identical, however the direction makes one way slightly more difficult.
Andratx to Port Pollenca
This direction you will ascend the longest and highest climb on the island, Puig Major from Soller. 14km with 828m of climbing at an average gradient of 6%.
Port Pollenca to Andratx
This direction you get to fly down the longest descent on the island, from the tunnel at the top of Puig Major down into Soller on fantastic new smoooooth tarmac.
Scenery
Port Pollenca to Andratx – You will be on the same side of the road as the coast so the scenery may be ever so slightly improved by this, although it is a very close run thing depending on your head for heights whilst you look down the cliffs to the sea 🙂
Departure Time
One way means getting transport earlier in the morning, and the other means leaving when you are ready.
Collection time
One way means having to meet a deadline for the return bike bus and the other means you arrive when you want.
Conclusion
Having done the routes in both direction numerous times I still do not have a real preference. I love the long downhill into Sóller, but I also love the long climb up Puig Major followed by the Col de Femenia descent into old town Pollenca. The added benefit of riding to Sant Elm is that you get a true coast to coast experience.
It is great to cycle out to a distant destination and then after some refreshments get taken home. It is also great to get taken to a distant destination and then to make your own way back in your own time. The bike bus must be booked beforehand though so we know how many seats to bring with us!
Try both directions and let us know what you think?
Mallorca Cycle Shuttle - 1000+ scheduled bike buses each year to the start of the bucket list routes; Mallorca Bicycle Rescue in case bike or body break down; 365/24/7 Private airport transfers for cyclists and now the Sa Calobra Express for PB attempts with fresh legs.
Would love to do this ride from Andratx to Port Pollensa – drove it once and there are some spectacular views – just need to work on getting fit enough 🙂 one day!!
Did this with our cycling group from the UK last year and loved it. We are all trying to keep fit to have another crack at it in October again. Went to Andratx with the Mallorca Cycle Shuttle bus too and the service was great – thanks and look forward to seeing you soon again
Can’t wait to ride these this September. Will try both ways if my legs allow me!
Have done this ride Andratx – Port Pollenca 3 times now. Come to Mallorca every year. Really is the best on the island
Have done this ride Andratx – Port Pollenca now three times. Love it – definitely the best on the island. Will have to try the other way ! Great stuff.
Both ways are fantastic. I prefer Andratx to PP personally but both shoud be done by every cyclist who visits Majorca. Thanx for the info