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From the Plain to the 'Wild Coast'
Nights: 6
Starting point: Son Jordà (country house). This rural hotel with simply furnished but spacious bedrooms has been converted from a large 15th-century manor house in the hamlet of Ruperts. The building is set around a courtyard with a swimming pool, gardens, terraces and a tennis court. Day 1: your first day's ride is a gentle circuit that introduces you to the fertile plain of Es Pla, a patchwork of cereal fields, orchards, almond groves and pretty villages. You initially head north, with the option of detouring to two megalithic monuments, before swinging west and then south via the market town of Sineu, one of the oldest settlements on Mallorca and the site of a beautiful Gothic church and a market every Wednesday. Alternatively, you could take a taxi (pay locally) to the capital, Palma, for a day of sightseeing. (34km) Accommodation: Son Jordà, as above. Day 2: today's route takes you through several different valleys, revealing one of Mallorca's most delightful landscape - the quiet agricultural heart far from the tourist bustle. From Son Jordà you set off due west, through Petra, a small town with a quaint church and a small museum devoted to its most famous son, who played an important role in the Spanish conquest of Latin America. Leaving Petra, the scenery begins to change as you rise gently from the lowlands, gaining views over the distant coast. You descend into an attractive, fertile valley before climbing once more to the plateau. (46km) Accommodation: Sos Ferres d'en Morey (agriturismo). The great feature of this carefully restored agriturismo (working farm) surrounded by almond and fig trees is the panorama, which stretches over the bay of Alcudia and towards the rugged peaks of the Tramuntana Sierra plunging into the sea. Some of the best views are enjoyed by the large circular outdoor pool. There are just five bedrooms, decorated with great attention to detail and each boasting a private terrace. Some also have a jacuzzi bath. Day 3: this is a delightful circular route through almond groves and past typical Mallorca fincas (farmsteads). It starts by winding across a fertile plain, with a choice of a shorter or longer route to reach the small town of Sant Llorenç, well placed for lunch. From here, the route rises steadily through changing scenery - the almond groves which characterise the plateau give way to a limestone landscape grazed by sheep - before descending back to Sos Ferres. (26km or 35km) Accommodation: Sos Ferres d'en Morey, as above. Day 4: today - the hilliest ride (though no ascent is severe) - you head through almond groves and the limestone hills of the Llevant Sierra, descending onto the fertile plain that surrounds the dramatic hill-top town of Artà. It is well worth detouring to Artà to explore - the views from the fortified sanctuary which crowns the town stretch for miles. Beyond Artà is one of the island's most important archaeological sites, which again you have time to visit before winding through farmland via the remarkable castellated hill-town of Capdepera to your next hotel. (28km) Accommodation: Cases de Son Barbassa (agriturismo). Surrounded by almond and olive trees, this is a small hotel which exudes an understated elegance. The twelve bedrooms (of which we include the ones with their own terrace) have been beautifully decorated by charming hosts Joan and Maria, while the dining room and small, candlelit lounges are elegant and intimate. Outside, there is a terrace and a swimming pool which look across the surrounding area towards Capdepera and its medieval castle. Day 5: our suggestion for your last day makes for a long but very varied day; if you would prefer less cycling, it is possible to just cover part of our suggested route. To cycle the entire loop, head towards the coast, where you can spend some time by the sea at the pretty, dune-lined cove of Cala Mesquida or walking to the unspoiled cove of Cala Torta. Returning to your bikes, you continue along the coast to Cala Agulla, where again you have the opportunity to explore a little on foot - various paths lead through the protected pine forest which frames the cove. The next stop is Cala Ratjada, a sophisticated resort where you could pause for lunch before continuing to Capdepera, where it is worth visiting the panoramic 14th-century castle. Your last stop is a large cave in the cliffs, from where you return to Son Barbassa. (up to 40km) Accommodation: Cases de Son Barbassa, as above. Recommendations for extra nights: choose Son Jordà for the chance to visit Palma (pay locally for taxis), or the Cases de Son Barbassa for more time to explore the unspoiled north-east coast. Alternatively you could combine this cycle with Southern Beaches to Central Plain to make a great 10-night holiday, immersing yourself in the heart of Mallorca. Other information: if you would like to see the brochure page, you can download this (and the pages for any other holidays you are interested in) by using our brochure creation system. Similar cycling holidays: Southern Beaches to Central Plain (grade 1-2), 10-night cycling holiday combining our two routes on the island (grade 2), Heart of Catalonia (grade 1-2), Catalan Coast & Villages (grade 1-2), A Meander along the Ebro (grade 1-2), Timeless Southern Catalonia (grade 1-2), Lakes & Volcanoes of the Garrotxa (grade 2) Prices & travel 2008:
*Connecting travel: return taxi from Palma (out 0h30/home 1h15) £57pp
> Notes on prices > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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Many would argue that you haven't really seen Mallorca until you've travelled across Es Pla ('the Plain'). Starting on this rolling, central plain, with its fertile red soil and tremendous views of the Tramuntana range, this much loved route leads you into the island's north-eastern corner, where the coast is the original 'Costa Brava' ('wild coast'), dramatic and rugged, and dotted with secret coves and rocky bays. There are more ascents and undulations than our other 
Relax by Son Barbassa's pool 
