Sa Creu & Galilea — Palma's Backyard

Palma to the Coll de Sa Creu

Leave from the centre and the city falls away faster than you'd expect. By the time you reach the first hairpin the apartment blocks have already given way to stone walls and pine trees. The Coll de Sa Creu tops out at 277 metres — not dramatic by Mallorcan standards, but the surface is good, the gradient is consistent, and the shade in summer is genuinely useful.

There's a rhythm to this climb that rewards steady riding. Don't attack it. Let it come to you.

Calvià

The descent from the col brings you to Calvià, a quiet administrative town that most cyclists pass through without stopping. Stop anyway. The bar on the main square has been open since before the tourist industry existed and makes a coffee that justifies the pause. Fill your bottles here — there's less opportunity above.

Calvià to Galilea

The second climb is the better one. The road from Calvià to Galilea — a village at 421 metres that feels considerably higher — is less travelled than the Sa Creu and more exposed. The views open up on both sides as the trees thin: Palma bay to the south, the Tramuntana ridge to the north.

Galilea itself is a handful of stone houses arranged around a church. There's a small bar that opens mid-morning. There's a terrace with a view over the plain below that rewards whatever you've eaten. Sit for ten minutes. The descent back to Palma is fast enough that you'll want to remember where you've been.

The descent to Palma

The return is mostly downhill — 400 metres of elevation dropped over 25 kilometres. The road is wide enough for confidence and the surface is well-maintained. By the time the city appears below you, the morning has the quality that only comes from having used it well.

Palma as a ravito

This route ends in one of the best cycling cities in Europe. Use it. The old town of Palma has enough coffee, food, history and architecture to justify the trip even if you'd done nothing on the bike. The Mercat de l'Olivar is the best food market on the island. The cathedral at 11am on a Tuesday is something.

Practical notes

• The Coll de Sa Creu road is narrow — single file on the upper section
• Water and coffee in Calvià at km 22 — the only reliable stop before Galilea
• Galilea bar opens around 9:30am — plan accordingly
• The descent from Galilea to Palma is fast on a loaded road bike — brake early into the village sections
• Short enough to combine with an afternoon in Palma — park the bike and walk