Located at the foothills of Mallorca’s mountain range, the small and quiet town of Lloseta is the main gateway to cycling in the Sierra de Tramuntana and a perfect base for exploring the island. Its all year round warm weather, strategic location, genuine local gastronomy and natural scenery not only offer its visitor a unique local experience but a great starting or finishing point for the best bike outings. If you are looking for a place with fewer crowds surrounded with remote-feeling mountains, Lloseta is one of the best options in Mallorca’s interior.
Lloseta is Cycling Friendly
The municipality of Lloseta is the fourth in Mallorca to be part of the Cycling Friendly movement,and the first in the Sierra de Tramuntana region. Cycling Friendly is a quality certification addressing destinations and companies that have adapted their services to give any cycling lover everything needed for the perfect cycling holiday.
Through the Cycling Friendly website, cyclists can find information about different routes on the island, a list of hotels, bars and restaurants oriented to cyclists, as well as information of the main sporting events dedicated to the world of cycling that are held annually in Mallorca. They also plan, organize and operate cycling tours and holidays at all levels and will personally tend to your needs to ensure you have an unforgettable cycling experience.
During our last visit to Lloseta, as part of the blogtrip #SomdeMallorca in collaboration with Mallorca Tourism and Lloseta Town Hall, we had the chance to experienc a day out with the Cycling Friendly team where they arranged everything needed for our trip. Considering that most of our group were not experienced cyclists (some hadn’t cycled in years!), they planned a simple but fun route around Lloseta. They also took note of all our measurements and preferences on the type of bike and brought the bikes right to the door of our hotel in Lloseta.
After a brief introduction on Cycling Friendly, we went through some security rules and covid protocols. Helmets on, we started our route around Lloseta by the old streets of the city center and past the newly built Lloseta Theater. We then headed to the tiny village of Ayamans, where you can see some old stone houses and ethnological elements, such as the Ayamans’ well.
We continued our route through the outskirts of Lloseta riding by quiet streets surrounded by almond and olive fields, on the way back to our hotel. The weather was great! November is a great month to book a cycling holiday in Mallorca, not only for the cooler weather, but also for how quiet the roads are.
This route is less than 10 kilometers long which, by bicycle, might take you around 40 minutes to cover, but you can always make it shorter. Or if you feel the ride could be too challenging for you, Cycling Friendly also offers the option of electric-assisted bikes!
Cycling around Lloseta
Lloseta is a true crossroads of cycling routes where cyclists can enjoy a wealth of different breathtaking landscapes and beautiful historic villages which feel a world away from the usual hustle of the Island’s coastal resort towns. Whether you are an amateur or a professional cyclist, you will surely enjoy the undulating countryside routes around Lloseta and, if you dare, the thigh busting climbs of the craggy Sierra de Tramontana. There are endless route options in this area and it can be hard to pick one, so here’s an overview of some of the best cycle routes around Lloseta.
The Green Olive Tree Route
This route out of Lloseta, consists of 30 kilometers of rolling and flat paved tracks, framed by stone walls, with almost no traffic, and goes through spectacular landscapes of olive groves. It is an easy route suited to someone with road cycling experience and the perfect way to capture the value of Mallorca’s olive oil!
First head to the picturesque towns of Biniamar and Mancor del Vall made up of old farmhouses and buildings of particular architectural interest such as the Son Morro oil mill. Around 4 kms northwest, you will arrive to Caimari, the biggest producer of olive oil in Mallorca. The olive season and oil production period lasts from November until January, when you can visit an oil mill to see the production process and how the production of oil in the island has evolved from the old oil mill to the modern oil mills with hydraulic presses. If you visit Mallorca during this time, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Sa Tafona de Caimari (Caimari’s olive press). It still preserves the primitive stone mill of the old Cas Menescal oil mill!
Continue your way to the town of Campanet, around 6 kilometers west. Known for its caves, Campanet truly showcases Mallorca’s natural unspoilt rural beauty. The road surface here is smooth and there are very few cars. Stop for a coffee or a drink and continue on to your next destinations, Selva and Moscari, beautiful rustic villages situated in the foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains. Take a unique stroll on the areas stunning Mediterranean landscapes before you head back to Lloseta.
Climb to Sa Calobra
A great challenge for the most experienced cyclists is the Sa Calobra climb. This is a journey of 117 kilometers through one of the most unique mountain roads and famous cycling curves in the world.
After following the previous route until Caimari, continue climbing to Lluc and then turn left at the top of the Coll de sa Batalla to the tiny hamlet of Escorca. Then take the Sa Calobra turn off in 25 kms from where you leave the main road. Enjoy the 10 kms descent of hairpins and the view of one of the best sceneries in Mallorca. A photograph of the well-known ‘Nus de Sa corbata’ (tie knot) is a must in any cycling album! Keep going down towards the small fishing village of Sa Calobra, then stop, turn around and drag yourself all the way back up again!
On the way back to Lloseta you will descend the Puig Major through the area of the Gorg Blau and Cúber reservoirs. Then you will head towards the Bunyola pass to Orient, which means two more great climbs, first the Coll de Sóller and then the Coll d’Honor.
As you can see, there is a lot of climbing (also descending) so it may be worth pacing yourself and taking advantage of the many fueling stops en route, like the best almond cake you will ever try at the café at the top of Coll de Sa Batalla.
Binissalem Wine Region Route
This is a truly unique route to discover the most rural and authentic side of Mallorca, immersing yourself in the landscape, culture and flavours of the island. The route is not difficult whatsoever, making it ideal for a group of cyclists or family trips.
You set off from Lloseta in the direction to the picturesque vineyards of Binissalem, an important wine region on Mallorca and the first of the Balearic Island’s Denominations of Origin. We recomend you make a stop here to explore the town and visit one of most renowned wineries such as the family owned Bodegas José L. Ferrer. Their rosé cava is to die for!
Leave Binissalem towards Biniagual, a privately owned small village with a historic winery. On the way, you´ll find yourself surrounded by nature. The roads are quiet and mostly free of traffic, with olive grooves and almond fields on each side and the Tramuntana Mountais in the distance.
The next stop is Sencelles, a beautiful rural area known for its numerous archaeological sites from the Talaiot period. If you have time, you could visit the graveyard and a Talaiot village of Son Fred. Apart from the good wines you can also find in this region, in Sencelles you can taste the only authentic Belgian craft beer brewed in Mallorca at Toutatis Microbrewery. A perfect stop to refuel your energy before heading to the next stop, Costitx, a place where astrology enthusiasts can look forward to as it is home to Mallorca’s observatory.
Take the secondary road away from the busy traffic towards Inca, the second biggest town in Mallorca and our last stop of the route. If you are there on a Thursday, don’t forget to visit the Inca market, before heading back to Lloseta. It is one of the biggest outdoor markets in Mallorca and you can get some traditional products and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Cycling Friendly hotel in Lloseta
With a wide range of services available to cyclists, Cas Comte Petit Hotel & Spa is a wonderful place for a cycling holiday in Mallorca. Cas Comte is an elegant boutique hotel located in the old country manor house of Lloseta’s Ayamans Palace, a building dating from the 18th century. It’s central location, between the town’s church and palace, is away from the masses, and an excellent place to ride from.
There are 22 charming and fully renovated rooms with stone walls and exposed beams. We stayed in one of their suites in the annex building in Carrer Nou, which is ideal if you are bringing cycling gear and not wanting to get in each others way. The hotel has a lovely dining room with gorgeous light and bright colours that retain many of the original charms of the building. Plus there is a rooftop with a good size pool, a great spot to end a day of riding.
Tips to save money on your holidays in Mallorca
- The best hotels at the best prices in Mallorca.
- Enjoy a 35€ discount on Airbnb when you sign up.
- Travel safe and don’t forget your travel insurance! Here you have a 5% discount with the best travel insurance.
- Take advantage of the best car rental discounts in Mallorca.
- Book the best tours and day trips in Mallorca.
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