Sa Calobra is cycling theater. This 9.5km serpentine road descends (and later ascends) from Mallorca’s mountains to the Mediterranean coast with gradients hitting 12%, featuring the famous “Tie Knot” (Nus de Sa Corbata)—a 270° loop where the road passes under itself. For cyclists worldwide, Sa Calobra represents the ultimate Mallorcan challenge.
Why Sa Calobra Is Special
The Engineering: Built in 1932, this isn’t just a road—it’s an architectural masterpiece. The tight hairpins and the Tie Knot showcase brilliant civil engineering in constrained mountain terrain.
The Direction: Most people drive down to the coast and return. Cyclists typically ride up from the coast, turning a scenic descent into a brutal climb.
The Setting: Mediterranean at the bottom, rugged Tramuntana mountains at the top, with the famous Torrent de Pareis gorge at the coastal endpoint.
The Challenge: Short but viciously steep, it’s become a rite of passage for cycling tourists visiting Mallorca.
The Route
Standard Cycling Direction: Coast to Summit (Coll dels Reis)
- Starting point: Sa Calobra beach parking
- Distance: 9.5 km
- Elevation gain: 682m
- Average gradient: 7.1%
- Maximum gradient: 12%
- Hairpins: 26 major switchbacks
- Key feature: The Tie Knot (Nus de Sa Corbata) at km 2.5
Alternative: Full Loop from SĂłller Many cyclists make it a full day loop:
- Sóller → Port de Sóller → Coll de Puig Major (descent to Sa Calobra junction) → Down Sa Calobra to coast → Back up Sa Calobra → Return to Sóller
- Total: ~80-100km depending on exact route
Climbing Kilometer by Kilometer
Km 0-1: The Opening Statement Gradient: 9-11% Immediate steep ramp from sea level. Zero warmup. The road attacks from the first pedal stroke.
Km 1-2.5: Building Intensity Gradient: 7-9% Sustained climbing through tight hairpins. Each turn reveals another hairpin above.
Km 2.5: The Tie Knot (Nus de Sa Corbata) The iconic 270° loop where the road spirals under itself via a short tunnel. Photos don’t do it justice—riding through feels surreal. Stop to look back for the full effect.
Km 2.5-5: The Crux Gradient: 10-12% The steepest, hardest section. Relentless steep pitches with minimal relief. This is where Sa Calobra earns its reputation.
Km 5-7: Sustained Suffering Gradient: 7-9% Still hard but slightly less steep. The Mediterranean views expand behind you if you dare look.
Km 7-9.5: Final Push Gradient: 6-8% The gradient eases (slightly). You reach Coll dels Reis junction, marking the “summit” of the climb. From here, you can return to Sóller or continue to Port de Pollença.
Best Time to Ride
Season: Year-round rideable (Mallorca’s winter is mild), but optimal times vary.
Perfect Months:
- February-May: Ideal temperatures (15-25°C), professional training season, fewer tourists
- September-November: Excellent conditions post-summer heat
- Avoid July-August: Extreme heat (35-40°C+), crowded with tourist traffic
Time of Day:
- Early Morning (7-9am): Coolest, least traffic, best light
- Avoid Midday: Tour buses descending from SĂłller clog the narrow road 10am-2pm
- Late Afternoon: Good option if you missed morning
Day of Week: Weekdays are quieter. Weekends bring local cyclists and tourists.
Practical Strategy
The Descent Dilemma: Most riders descend Sa Calobra first, then climb back up. This means:
- Advantage: You preview the road and grades before climbing
- Disadvantage: The descent is technical and nerve-wracking for some
Alternative: Some riders prefer to climb first without descending (approach from Sóller/Port de Pollença side), though this means missing the coastal beauty.
Pacing: The steep opening gives no warmup. Start conservatively or warm up on flat roads before reaching Sa Calobra.
Gearing: 34x30 or easier is highly recommended. The 12% sections at the start, when you’re not warmed up, punish hard gears.
Hydration: It’s short (30-50 minutes for most), but heat and steepness demand hydration. Carry at least one bottle. NO facilities until you return to the top.
Fueling: Too short to require major fueling, but a gel before starting helps given the immediate steep grades.
Heat Management: In summer, the road has minimal shade. The sun reflects off light-colored rock, intensifying heat. Early starts are essential.
The Descent (If You Descend First)
Descending Sa Calobra is technical:
Challenges:
- Tight, steep hairpins
- Tourist vehicles ascending (narrow road, limited passing room)
- Tour buses (meeting one in a hairpin is nerve-wracking)
- Poor sight lines in places
- Rough pavement in sections
Tips:
- Brake before hairpins, not in them
- Stay far right—buses need full road width
- Use low gears to control speed without overheating brakes
- Wet sections near Tie Knot can be slippery
Many cyclists find the descent scarier than the climb is hard.
The Tie Knot: Don’t Miss It
The Nus de Sa Corbata is the photogenic highlight. If climbing:
- At km 2.5, you’ll see the upper section of road looping above
- Continue through the short tunnel
- STOP after the tunnel to look back at the 270° loop
- Walk back a few meters for best photo angle
- The view of the road spiraling above and below is spectacular
Difficulty Rating
Advanced to Intermediate: The short distance makes it accessible to fit riders, but the steep gradients demand climbing strength.
Comparison:
- Steeper than: Alpe d’Huez average (though much shorter)
- Less sustained than: Tourmalet, Ventoux
- Similar to: Short, steep Italian Dolomite climbs
The length is forgiving (just 9.5km), but the gradient is punishing.
What to Expect
Physical: Your legs burn from km 0. The steep start before you’re warmed up is brutal. By km 3-4, if you’ve paced well, you settle into suffering.
Mental: You can see your car/starting point below for much of the climb, which is psychologically tough—so close yet so far.
Traffic: Tourist vehicles can be annoying—slow-moving cars and tour buses on narrow roads. Early starts avoid most of this.
Crowds: Other cyclists are common, especially February-May when pro teams train here. It’s social and motivating.
The Torrent de Pareis
At the bottom (before climbing), take 10 minutes to walk through the short tunnel to see Torrent de Pareis—a dramatic gorge where a river meets the sea. It’s one of Mallorca’s natural wonders and worth the brief detour.
Combining Sa Calobra with Other Climbs
The Full Mallorca Day:
- Start SĂłller
- Climb Coll de SĂłller
- Climb Puig Major (highest point in Mallorca)
- Descend to Sa Calobra junction
- Down and up Sa Calobra
- Return via coast and Coll de SĂłller
This creates an epic 80-100km loop with multiple climbs.
Other Mallorca Classics to Combine:
- Cap de Formentor: Stunning coastal route
- Puig Major: Mallorca’s highest paved road
- Col de Sa Batalla: Beautiful mountain pass
- Col de Femenia: Challenging climb from SĂłller
Mallorca Cycling Culture
Why Mallorca? The island is cycling heaven:
- 300+ days of sun annually
- Varied terrain
- Excellent roads
- Cycling-friendly culture
- February-May training season brings pro teams
Infrastructure:
- Abundant bike rentals
- Cycling-specific hotels
- Bike lanes on many main roads
- Drivers accustomed to cyclists
Base Towns:
- SĂłller: Charming, close to Sa Calobra and other climbs
- Port de Pollença: North coast, flat riding nearby plus mountains
- Palma: Capital city, good transit hub
- AlcĂşdia: Family-friendly beach town
Logistics
Getting There:
- Fly to Palma de Mallorca (PMI)
- Rent car or use cycling-specific transfer services
- Many hotels offer bike storage and washing
Bike Options:
- Bring your own (many airlines accommodate bikes)
- Rent locally (excellent shops in Palma, Sóller, Pollença)
Cost: Mallorca is reasonably priced compared to mainland Europe, though peak season (April-May) can be expensive.
Safety Notes
Tour Buses: They have priority on narrow roads. Pull over and let them pass—don’t fight for space.
Heat: Summer temps exceed 35-40°C. Heat exhaustion is real—hydrate aggressively and start very early.
Descending: Technical descent demands skill. If you’re uncomfortable descending, consider climbing Sa Calobra without descending it first (approach from Sóller side).
Why You Should Ride It
Sa Calobra is bucket-list Mallorca cycling. It’s short enough to be accessible, dramatic enough to be memorable, and iconic enough to carry bragging rights. The Tie Knot is genuinely spectacular, the gradients are serious, and the Mediterranean setting is stunning.
Is it the hardest climb you’ll ever do? No. Is it the most beautiful? Maybe. Is it essential Mallorca cycling? Absolutely.
Perfect For:
- Cyclists visiting Mallorca
- Those wanting Instagram-worthy cycling
- Riders seeking accessible but legitimate climbs
- Anyone training in Mallorca (it’s a standard workout)
Not Ideal For:
- First-time climbers (the steep start is unforgiving)
- Those uncomfortable with technical descents
- Summer visitors unwilling to start at 7am
When you reach the top of Sa Calobra, turn around to look at that ribbon of road snaking down to the blue Mediterranean far below, you’ll understand why this short climb has such outsized reputation.
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