Cap de Formentor

The ride to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor is the classic out-and-back of the north coast. It starts on the seafront at Port de Pollença and follows the Ma-2210 to the very tip of the island, then comes back the same way.

The first climb starts almost straight away. It rises for about 6.7 km at a gentle 3 % average to a high point of just over 200 m, with the bay of Pollença opening up below. The road then drops towards Formentor beach and climbs again along the spine of the cape, through a tunnel of about 300 m, up to the highest point of the day at around 220 m. The last kilometres roll up and down to the lighthouse, about 21 km from the start.

Because it is an out-and-back, the return has its own climbs: about 520 m of climbing on the way out and 360 m on the way back. None of it is steep, but it adds up, so keep something in the legs for the second half.

The road is narrow in places and the cape is exposed, so check the wind before you go and take care on the descents. Bring water and food, and treat the turnaround at the lighthouse as a natural place for a break before heading back to Port de Pollença.