Mallorca Quick Bikepacking Guide
With thousands of cyclists from all over the world, drawn by its winding roads along cliffs and paradisiacal coves, Mallorca is a well-known destination for cycle tourism.
Undoubtedly, Mallorca, the sister of the Balearic Islands, is a dream for cycling, but will it also be one for a bikepacking adventure?
In this guide, I will focus on the practical aspects and tips that I have gathered after visiting the island the way I love most, with my bike, a few bikepacking bags, and 10 days ahead.
Regions
Without diminishing any corner of the island, and because I consider myself more of a mountain person than a beach person, if I had to choose a single area, I would go with the Tramuntana mountain range in the north.
This mountain range, characterized by rocky formations and mainly covered by pine forests, is crossed by winding roads that connect charming villages where you can recharge with delicious pastries and tapas.
Overnight Staying
One of the great attractions of bikepacking trips is wild camping, but unfortunately, in Mallorca, it's prohibited as in the rest of the Balearic Islands.
Nevertheless, the accommodation options are extensive and of high quality, so finding a place to spend the night will never be a problem.
However, if you take the risk of bivouacking, remember to set up camp early with the sunrise, find a space as discreet as possible, do NOT make a fire, show maximum respect, take your waste with you, and try to leave the place better than you found it.
Season
The temperate months of April-May and October-November are perfect for avoiding high summer temperatures and the peak tourist season.
Food and Water
For both food and water, the distances between towns are short, and they are well-prepared to receive tourists, so you will find it easy to find supplies.
Similarly, public fountains with quality water can be found relatively easily.
Which bike to choose: Road, Gravel, or MTB
From my point of view, I saw few options for what we can consider a gravel track, and almost 90% of the route I did was on asphalt.
A gravel bike like my Finna Explorer with 700-42 tires guarantees you can enter broken or unpaved sections that lead to certain coves or corners outside of the cycle touring circuits without penalizing the ride on asphalt.
If off-road is your thing, the trails are very rocky and often very technical, so I would opt for a much more robust bike like the Finna Landscape mounted with tubeless 2.4 tires.
Clothes & Gear
In my case, I've used different garments from the All Terrain collection by Spiuk, such as the cargo bib shorts with mesh pockets to store the phone or whatever you want, and the new loose-fitting shirts designed for leisurely and enjoyable cycling.
In the months around April, the temperature can drop to around 5°C at night, and you'll need some warm garments such as a vest, down jacket, merino technical shirt, and rain layer.
Bikepacking Setup
Given that wild camping isn't allowed, a lightweight setup could be the ideal option for enjoying the cycling routes that the island offers. Here's my suggestion:
Spare clothing / Geosmina Small Seat Bag + Stabilizer Belt
Toiletries and miscellaneous items / Geosmina Frame Bag
Tools and spare parts / Geosmina Top Tube Bag
Camera, documents, snacks / Geosmina Small Handlebar Bag
Is Mallorca ideal for a bikepacking adventure?
No and yes. The fact that we can't pitch our tent in the middle of nature and enjoy that special connection with the outdoors that you feel when camping in the middle of a forest makes the adventure less adventurous.
Despite everything, Mallorca seems like an incredible place for a bike trip and the perfect excuse to let ourselves be pampered after a day of cycling, enjoying charming accommodation, a delicious dinner on a terrace overlooking the sea, or a walk with a good ice cream cone. Not bad, right?
