Medfeel’s Tramuntana Luxury Ride. Photo / Medfeel
A six-day, 455km ride through Mallorca’s Unesco-listed Tramuntana mountains blends world-class climbs with five-star comfort, writes Sam Shead.
It’s not often you walk into a luxury spa and see a cyclist in all the gear talking to the receptionist about a treatment, but that’s exactly what happens when I enter Jumeirah Mallorca’s Talise Spa in October.
Allow me to explain. Jumeirah Mallorca is one of the three luxury hotels cyclists can stay at when they join Medfeel’s Tramuntana Luxury Ride, a private tour that covers 455km through a Unesco World Heritage site across six days. The heroic journey through the Tramuntana mountains, which form the northern backbone of the Spanish island, is designed for cyclists who appreciate both challenge and comfort.
After riding all day on a high-spec road bike with your private group, you’ll spend the evening at some of the island’s best hotels. Both parts are key for the perfect Mallorca cycling trip, according to Jaume Agustí, co-founder of Medfeel.
DAY 1 | Settle in by the sea
Cyclists meet their host in the northeast of Mallorca at the El Vicenç de la Mar, which has views to the very edge of the Balearic Sea’s horizon. There’s a cocktail bar on the rooftop, but go easy on the sangria as you’ll want to get a good night’s sleep before the first ride. Accommodation: El Vicenç de la Mar
DAY 2 | Tackle the iconic lighthouse ride
The undulating Cap de Formentor – one of Mallorca’s most iconic rides – involves a 70km journey out to an isolated lighthouse at the end of a towering peninsula. With an elevation of 1010m and some particularly steep sections, Cap de Formentor is a tough ride that demands a reasonable level of general fitness. I strongly advise you not to attempt it on a whim in the peak August sun without any real training and with only a few hours before you fly home, as I foolishly did in 2023. I didn’t die, but I was in a mild state of panic (and a severe state of exhaustion) throughout. Despite the suffering, the overarching sense of achievement prevails, and I mainly recall the incredible vistas, the smell of the pine forest, and the sublime smoothness of the tarmac. “You get a pure taste of the Mediterranean,” says Agustí. Accommodation: El Vicenç de la Mar
DAY 3 | Conquer a legendary mountain climb
Hopefully you’ve still got some left in the tank after Cap de Formentor as you’ll cross through the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana on day three, taking on legendary climbs like Sa Calobra if you want to and Coll de Sa Batalla. While I’m yet to cycle Sa Calobra, I drove it this October and it’s fair to say it’s a beast, and arguably the toughest ride on the island.
It’s revered in the cycling world for its 670m elevation gain, 26 hairpin turns and the fact that it basically leads to nowhere. Once you’ve done it, there’s no choice but to go back the same way you came.
“If you catch Sa Calobra when the roads are quiet, it is really epic,” says Oscar White, an Iron Man who has completed Mallorca’s notorious 312 cycling race and represented Great Britain in the duathlon. “It’s not as hard as a classic Alps ride, but it’s one of the hardest and most fun in Mallorca, as the turns just keep coming, and the views are insane.”
At the end of this difficult 90km plus day, you can check into your next hotel, Jumeirah Mallorca. Perched on top of a cliff above the charming seaside town of Port de Soller, Jumeirah Mallorca is a striking property and an ideal spot to refuel with three impressive restaurants to choose from. Try the octopus in the main Cap de Roig restaurant, or surprise your senses with the tasting menu in Es Fanals, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant.
Alternatively, enjoy a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisines at the vibey Sunset Lounge. The first night at Jumeirah is a good night to indulge a little as the next day is an easy recovery ride. Accommodation: Jumeirah Mallorca
DAY 4 | Cruise the valley and recover in style
With just 270m of elevation over 30km, the ride through the Soller Valley is relatively easy compared to what you conquered on the previous two days. Along the way, you’ll visit picturesque villages like Fornalutx and Biniaraix and admire the views from Far des Cap Gros overlooking Port de Pollença. Pop into Son Moragues to pick up some local olive oil, wool or handmade ceramics. When you get back to Jumeirah, treat yourself to a recovery massage at the aforementioned Talise spa and soothe any tired muscles. The Rest & Restore Ritual is worth a look. When you’re finished, look out over the mountains from the hydrotherapy pool, or the sauna’s enormous window that effortlessly frames the majestic peaks. This is easily the best view I’ve ever had from a sauna. Accommodation: Jumeirah Mallorca
DAY 5 | Ride the coast to Richard Branson’s retreat
Checking out of Jumeirah won’t be easy, but at least there’s another gem of a hotel waiting for you at the end of day five, which will see you ride 65km through two of Mallorca’s most charming towns: Deià and Valldemossa. You’ll stop for a breather at the famous viewpoint of Sa Foradada before arriving at Richard Branson’s luxury Mallorcan retreat, Son Bunyola. The estate covers over 810 acres and is surrounded by vines, citrus fruit trees, as well as almond and olive groves. Once again, you’ll probably be hungry after the ride. Fortunately, Richard’s chefs are on hand to cook up Mallorcan masterpieces at Sa Terrassa and Sa Tafona. Accommodation: Son Bunyola
DAY 6 | Finish strong with a majestic coastal loop
Time for one final ride out before you hang up the cleats. Today you’ll be doing a monumental 66km coastal loop in the southwest of the island and cruising through pretty spots including Banyalbufar, Estellencs and Andratx, before making your way back to Son Bunyola. With an elevation of 1505m, it won’t be easy, but it will be majestic. Agustí says there are often few cars on the roads in this part of the island compared to some of the more popular spots in the north and the northeast. Accommodation: Son Bunyola
DAY 7 | Celebrate and unwind in Palma
Give yourself a pat on the back and put on something other than Lycra because the cycling adventure is over. If you’re not quite ready to fly home, I recommend checking into the palatial St Regis Mardhavall. It’s close to Palma, so you can soak up the atmosphere of the city, with its high-end bars and Michelin-starred restaurants, before flying home.