Mallorca 312

Overview

The Mallorca 312 is one of the most celebrated cycling routes on the Spanish island of Mallorca. It is a 120 km loop that begins and ends in the same place, sending riders out into the mountains and delivering them back to their starting point at the close of the day. Across those kilometres it accumulates 2368 m of climbing, a figure that turns an otherwise moderate distance into a genuine test of legs and lungs. It is a route that rewards preparation, patience and a willingness to keep turning the pedals when the road tilts upward.

What makes it iconic is the balance it strikes. The loop format means there is no logistical shuffle at the far end, no shuttle to arrange, no one-way puzzle to solve. You roll out, you climb, you descend, and you come home. Yet within that clean shape lies a demanding day, with the climbing concentrated enough to leave a lasting impression.

The Route

The route is a closed circuit: start and finish share the same point, so the 120 km form a continuous ribbon rather than an out-and-back. That structure gives the ride a satisfying arc. Early kilometres carry riders toward the high ground, the middle section stacks up the bulk of the 2368 m of elevation, and the later stretch returns them home.

Because the total climbing is spread across a relatively compact 120 km, the road rarely stays flat for long. Expect a rhythm of ascents and descents rather than long neutral plains, a cadence that keeps the ride engaging from the first pedal stroke to the last.

Key Climbs

The Mallorca 312 is defined by the mountain passes it links together. The route passes the Coll de Femenia, the Coll d'Honor, the Coll des Prat and the Coll de la Batalla, four named cols that together account for much of the day's 2368 m of vertical gain.

Each of these climbs contributes its own character to the loop. Stringing them into a single circuit is what gives the route its reputation: this is not a ride built around one signature ascent but around a sequence of them, so the climbing arrives in waves. Riders who respect the accumulation, rather than burning matches early, tend to finish the strongest. Pacing across the Femenia, the Honor, the Prat and the Batalla is the puzzle at the heart of the day.

Terrain & Surface

The entire route is ridden on asphalt. There are no gravel sectors, no cobbles, no unpaved detours to plan around. That makes the Mallorca 312 a road-bike route in the purest sense, well suited to standard road tyres and smooth, rolling tempo.

A consistent asphalt surface means the challenge is entirely about gradient and endurance rather than traction or bike handling on loose ground. Climbers can settle into a steady seated rhythm, and descenders can carry speed with confidence on predictable paved roads. It is the terrain, not the surface, that does the work here.

When to Ride

Mallorca's mild climate makes it a favoured destination for road cyclists, and a route of this profile rewards a day with good conditions and clear roads. Aim for a window when temperatures are comfortable for sustained climbing, since 2368 m of ascent generates real effort and heat management matters on the longer climbs. An early start gives you the fullest, calmest hours on the road and plenty of margin to enjoy the loop rather than race the light.

Logistics

The loop format is the great logistical gift of this route. Because it starts and finishes in the same place, you can park, stay or base yourself at a single point and return there under your own power. There is no need for a return shuttle or a point-to-point transfer.

Come prepared for a full day of climbing: adequate food and water, a reliable road bike, and gearing suited to 2368 m of ascent over 120 km. Since the asphalt route strings together four cols, carry enough to stay fuelled between them, and pace the early climbs to leave something for the later ones.

Summary

The Mallorca 312 distils what makes Mallorca a cycling icon: 120 km of asphalt, 2368 m of climbing, and a clean loop that carries you over the Coll de Femenia, Coll d'Honor, Coll des Prat and Coll de la Batalla before returning you to the start. It is challenging, satisfying and endlessly memorable.