Buttery smooth ribbons of pristine tarmac, carved into limestone, loop under and over each other like overcooked spaghetti. This is Sa Calobra, a 9.8km mountain pass built in the 1930s by Spanish-Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, to access the isolated harbour at its base.
Almost a century later, it’s the prized scalp of any cycle tourist to the Balearic island of Majorca – both the ultimate physical challenge that can be found anywhere acrossyou won’t go far wrong with on your visit (it has ferry links with Barcelona, for those coming from the Spanish mainland). But we’ve opted to drop anchor in Port de Pollença, a few kilometres up the coast, primarily for its proximity to the spectacular out-and-back ride to the Formentor lighthouse in the far northern tip of Majorca. It’s a punchy ride, at 42km and 807m elevation, but its modest distance is perfect for a post-flight tune-up on arrival day.