Legendary Climbs: Sa Calobra
Statistics: Sa Calobra in Mallorca, Spain
Length: 9,41 km / 5,85 miles
Elevation Gain: 660 m / 2165 feet
Average Gradient: 7,2%
Sa Calobra is the most famous climb on the island of Mallorca. It first became famous as a climb where the best cyclists went to test themselves in the off-season. The current KOM is held by pro-cyclist, Jardi Van Der Lee, at 22:23. Most ambitious cyclists aim to finish the climb under 35 minutes which requires pushing around 5 w/kg depending on the day's conditions.
Besides being used as a winter "testing climb", Sa Calobra is one of the most beautiful climbs on the island of Mallorca. The climb features 26 switchbacks and was designed as a dead-end road by Italian engineer, Antonio Parietti. The road is one of the most unique European climbs that I have ridden as it starts on the Mediterranean seaside and ascends through Mallorca's Serra Tramuntana Mountains.
Getting to Sa Calobra is often times quite a trek no matter where you are staying on the Island, so if you intend to ride Sa Calobra you should prepare for a big day out on the bike. (Palma to Sa Calobra is roughly 80km one-way and Soller to Sa Calobra is roughly 45km one-way.) In order to reach the beginning of the climb, cyclists also have to descend all the way to the end of the road at the seaside. Sa Calobra is climbing for the sake of climbing. That is what makes the climb so beautiful in my opinion. It is a dead-end road with no alternatives, but the road to the Summit at 682m / 2237ft.
In regards to the climb profile of Sa Calobra, the climb stays at a steady 7% throughout and does not feature any major steep sections. In fact, all the major climbs in Mallorca stay at a steady 6-7% and rarely feature sections above 10%. Climbing in Mallorca is much different than the Alpine Climbs, which regularly feature sections well-above 10%. The steady and unchanging gradients on Sa Calobra also makes the climb one of the best places in Europe to do a 20 minute FTP test or any threshold effort for that matter. The climb ascends continuously at 7% for 9,4km, which allows cyclists to hold a pure and sustained effort throughout.
Besides the incredible 26 switchbacks featured on Sa Calobra, some highlights of the climb include cycling through the arched rock formation shown above, incredible views of the Mediterranean, and of course Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana Mountains. There are very few climbs in the World that feature both the seaside and the mountains. Sa Calobra combines both in one incredible 9,4 km climb!
Sa Calobra is without a doubt a must-ride climb for any cyclist visiting Mallorca. It is not only the hardest climb on the whole Island, but it is also one of the most beautiful in my opinion. As of today, 187.735 cyclists have climbed Sa Calobra on Strava. The climb has been ascended by Pro-cyclists and amateurs alike, and has without a doubt left positive memories on all those who have completed it.
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