The Road to Sa Calobra or in Spanish “Ruta de Sa Calobra” is one of the most beautiful drive on Mallorca island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is considered one of the most gorgeous roads on the island and very appreciated by locals as well as tourists. The road and its surroundings are located not too far from Palma de Mallorca, so you should visit them if you are staying on the island.
Where is the Sa Calobra Road located?
You can explore this road on the northern side of the island of Mallorca in Spain. It starts all the way up in the Sierra Tramontana and ends in Sa Calobra a small village on the Mediterranean Sea.
This itinerary is quite popular among drivers, bikers, and cyclists because of the views and for its hairpin turns. It is also a very well-known photo spot for photographers because they can capture the famous 270° turn!
You can situate the road on the map below:
Enlarge the map
Facts about the Sa Calobra Road
Road description:
Sa Calobra Road (Road MA-2141) connects the main road from Soler to Pollenca, the MA-10 that goes all the way through the mountain range of the Serra de Tramuntana, to the beautiful cove of Sa Calobra.
Despite being only 13 kilometers (8 miles) long, the route’s pattern makes it feel considerably longer. Indeed, the road’s serpentine nature makes for a slow drive from the mountains to the sea. The road begins near Puig Major, the island’s highest peak at 1445 meters (4740 feet) above sea level. The road itself starts at an elevation of 682 meters (2237 ft) and eventually ends at the sea level at the small beach of Sa Calobra.
Plan approximately 30 minutes for a one-way drive. Sa Calobra is a dead end, so you will have to plan another 30 minutes to drive back to MA-10 road and continue your journey. Don’t forget to spend some time in Sa Calobra as well!
The road is in overall good condition, but it may be a tight fit in some places, so be prepared to reverse if you want to cross a bus or a truck. The road has a lot of popularity among cyclists. Be very aware of them as you might encounter them in very tight turns.
The road can get quite busy, especially in the summer months or on weekends. It is advised to visit during the week or to arrive early in the morning to avoid busy traffic.
There are more dozens of turns on the way, but there is a unique one. As a matter of fact, the Nus de Sa Calobra is a 270° turn, meaning that the road turn goes beneath itself. You don’t see that kind of spiral bridge a lot, so it’s really interesting.
A magic beach as a reward:
Furthermore, the road leads to Cala de Sa Calobra, one of Mallorca’s most picturesque coves. What makes this beach even more unique is its access: you must pass through a narrow tunnel through the rocks, adding a sense of adventure and seclusion to the destination. Definitely don’t miss out on this location.
History
The itinerary for the road was specifically designed to navigate the mountainous terrain of the northern part of the island. Antonio Parietti, the architect, decided against using tunnels for the construction process.
Work on the road began in 1928, and it was opened to the public a few years later in 1933. The construction was completed solely by manual labor, without the use of any machinery.
There was no particular reason to build this road, Indeed, it is a dead-end that goes to a very small port to another, bigger, road. Rumors say that even the designer of the road said that it is a road that goes from nowhere to nowhere. That means it is a perfect spot for you to discover!
How to get to Sa Calobra Road?
Usually, people come from the airport and Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands. In this case, drive to Soler by MA-11 road. Then, find the MA-10 road to Pollenca, street signs will show you the way to Sa Calobra, just don’t miss the left turn!
If you are coming from the other side of the island (from Pollenca or the Cap de Formentor) follow the MA-10 in the direction of Soler. Then the turn to Sa Calobra will be on your right.
Another noteworthy road on another Spain Island is the TF-21 on Tenerife.
You visualize how to get there on this map of the drive:
Things to do nearby
The area is very touristic and there are loads of things to do and discover
Of course, there will be a lot of viewpoints along the road for you to appreciate the imposing landscapes. We selected other activities that you can enjoy on your trip:
- The road to Sa Calobra starts near the highest peak of Mallorca: the Puig Major. There is an 8.4 kilometers (5,2 miles) hike to the top of the mountain that offers breathtaking views to the Mediterranean Sea.
- There are two tiny beaches in the cove of Sa Calobra. One is directly accessible by road and another in close walking distance from a parking spot. To access the second one, you will have to walk through two tight tunnels. Both beaches are very beautiful and have crystalline blue water.
- Very near the beginning of the road to Sa Calobra on the MA-10, there is a huge water reservoir: el embalse de Gorg Blau.
If you want to enjoy the activities in the cove of Sa Calobra there is parking available for cars. The price of the parking is 0.04€ per minute or 14.5€ per day.
If you wish to stay longer in the area, there are some accommodations as well as restaurants in the cove of Sa Calobra for you to enjoy
A preview of the drive:
If you are planning your road trip to Mallorca, you can see this video to have an idea of the drive:
Is the Sa Calobra Road open?
The Sa Calobra Road MA-2141 is normally always open.
Be aware that the road is very tight and you will surely have to back off to let other cars pass. If you are not an experienced driver, maybe consider giving the wheel to a more confident one!
Also, there is much traffic in the summer here, so you should always be careful and watch your speed.
So, the MA-2141 road to Sa Calobra on Mallorca Island in Spain is only 13 kilometers (8 miles) long. However, the itinerary is full of turns and amazing passages: tight ones, balcony drives above the abysses… It is definitely a road to check out if you are visiting the island by car, bike or bicycle! It will be a very stimulating experience in a marvelous landscape!
Discover our other roads in Europe: click here or see our road map!
