Why do some gravel rides leave you buzzing with excitement for days, while others feel like watching paint dry on two wheels ? We were deep into this debate on a dusty road outside Pollença when it hit us—there’s a world of difference between a good gravel ride and one that leaves you grinning uncontrollably. The magic isn’t accidental. It’s crafted from a handful of ingredients that, when combined just right, transform dirt roads into pure adventure.
Good routes are treasure maps. If well-designed, they are timeless—a canvas for adventure. “Lael Wilcox”
The Starting Point
A five-star gravel route starts in the right location. This could be the town where riders live or are visiting or someplace that’s easy to reach. If you are driving to the ride, there should be ample parking where you can leave your car for the duration, ideally for free. In Mallorca, some rides start at train stations, which are very convenient and eliminate parking concerns entirely.
Having a cafe or restaurant nearby is a bonus for cyclists to enjoy pre-ride coffee or post-ride refreshments. In Mallorca, cafes with outside seating often have bike racks which make stopping for coffee effortless. Clean restrooms are essential for pre-ride preparation. A town square or plaza often provides the perfect gathering spot for cyclists to meet prior to a ride.
Route Design
Let’s face it: loops are better than out-and-back courses. While an out-and-back route may be unavoidable and still delivers an incredible experience (just ask riders about their first time out to the Formentor Lighthouse or climbing up Sa Calobra), loops offer variety and that satisfying sense of exploration and discovery.
Length
We aim for most of our gravel routes to take 2-3 hours. I love a 6-hour bike ride but I rarely have riding partners who share that enthusiasm, and we often have family obligations even when our fitness would permit extended adventures. A five-star route should include longer options for riders who have more time or energy to explore the region.
Safe and Legal
In Mallorca, we are spoiled by choices for roads to ride. When creating a route I try to stick with quiet back lanes when the route isn’t on dirt or gravel surfaces. It’s also essential that the route be a legal cycling area. For starters, riding bicycles on autopistas / motorways is prohibited. Additionally, military zones and some natural parks prohibit bicycles. We also avoid trespassing on private property or private roads. Avoiding user conflicts is equally crucial—popular hiking trails or busy equestrian areas aren’t ideal locations for gravel cycling.
Scenery
A five-star gravel route must deliver scenic beauty. Fortunately, Mallorca has no shortage of world-class scenery: mountain views, orange groves, almond blossoms, and green-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. We encounter stone walls, medieval monasteries, and abandoned windmills—each telling part of the island’s story.
History and Human Geography
Many cyclists ride to explore the landscape and better understand how those before us interacted with the land. Human traces of past civilizations are scattered throughout the island: Bronze Age stone talayots, Roman ruins, medieval cobbled roads, and Arab agricultural terracing—layers of history visible from the saddle.
Change and Variety
A five-star gravel route strikes a perfect balance. A completely flat route is as boring as a route that only goes uphill. A great gravel route takes in different roads: red dirt roads, stone roads, sandy roads and even shaded, mossy asphalt roads. With multiple surfaces and variety in slopes, you have varied speeds. It’s exhilarating to cruise at 40 km/h but equally satisfying to grind uphill at 10 km/h as long as you do both.
A memorable route has easy sections and challenging ones. These can be physical challenges like long climbs or technical challenges like singletrack, rocks, or sand. A little hike-a-bike is acceptable. We believe that most of the route should be rideable for the majority of cyclists. It doesn’t have to be easy, but a gravel route is not an XCO mountain bike course.
Geographic diversity adds richness. A Mallorca gravel route can wind through artichoke farms, olive groves, oak woodland, vineyards, beaches, and small towns—a microcosm of Mediterranean life.
Logistics
Is it easy to find water or food? In Mallorca, you’re rarely far from a tienda or cafe. A great route positions a refueling stop strategically along the way. Not all rides need a cafe stop, but having the option benefits those who need it.
Navigation
It’s hard to believe that people still become lost despite GPX routes and modern cycling head units, but it happens. A great route should be easy to follow—clear turns, obvious paths, and minimal ambiguity at key decision points.
The sum of these elements—thoughtful logistics, varied terrain, cultural richness, and careful attention to rider needs—transforms a simple bike ride into a five-star adventure that riders will remember long after the last pedal stroke.
We have published a selection of Mallorca gravel routes. Let us know which ones deserve 5 stars.