Serra de Tramuntana: A Majestic Coastal Mountain Range Adored for its Stunning Natural Splendor

The Serra de Tramuntana offers a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, excellent road conditions, near-perfect weather, and a healthy dose of challenging yet manageable hills, making it a cyclist's dream. With a plethora of routes to choose from, there's something to suit every cyclist, whether you're in the mood for a leisurely ride or a challenging climb.

Embark on a scenic ride from Puerto Pollensa to the northernmost point of Mallorca, alongside the ocean. The route offers plenty of hills and a fair bit of wind, but the road is smooth (just keep an eye out for stray goats!). Make a stop at the Cap Formentor lighthouse, poetically known as the Mallorcan Finisterre (or the Land’s End of Mallorca), for stunning views that have inspired many artists. This ride consistently ranks among the top 20 cycling routes in the world.

Regarded as one of the world's best rides, the journey from Andratx to Puerto Pollensa has it all. Pedal through quaint, picturesque villages, past terraces of century-old olive groves, rustic villas, rugged mountain landscapes, forests, and a crystalline coastline. Tackle Puig Major, the island's longest and highest climb, and stop to refuel at the many charming village cafes along the way.

The famous Sa Calobra, a 9.5km ascent known as the island's hardest climb, offers brave cyclists Mallorca’s most spectacular scenery. Start near Sa Calobra beach and work your way up to the top of Coll delsReis, cycling past stunning rock arches and mountain ranges. The first kilometer is relatively relaxed, but the incline soon increases to 6-8%. The final three kilometers of the climb are among the steepest and most exposed, so be prepared for strong winds!

The picture-perfect scenery along this route more than makes up for the effort required on the challenging Coll de Sóller climb. With over 50 hairpin bends, both the ascent and descent are unforgettable. Take a break in beautiful Valldemossa for a coffee, and enjoy a leisurely lunch overlooking the sheltered harbor in Port Sóller on your return.

One of the best ways to admire the beauty of the Serra de Tramuntana is from the vantage point of one of the many delightfully rustic restaurants in the region. There are some fantastic spots situated along the hiking trails, offering the perfect pit stop or well-deserved reward after a day of exertion. Famous for its meltingly tender slow-roast lamb shoulder, Es Verger is perched mountainside on Puig de Alaró. Hike up to Alaró Castle beforehand to work up a hearty appetite. Serving up possibly the best paella on the island, Restaurant Sa Foradada is only accessible by boat or foot, but is well worth the effort for the stunning sea views from its elevated position on the cliff-face overlooking the peninsular. https://restaurantesaforadada.com/ On a mountain path near the Lluc monastery sits Es Guix, a restaurant in a converted hunting lodge with a renowned menu of local dishes. The natural spring water pool adds to the lush, wild setting, beckoning diners for an after-lunch dip. https://esguix.com/ Along the infamous Dry-Stone Route is the picturesque village of Deià. Walk or drive down to the cala from the village and dine seaside at Ca’s Patro March. Fresh seafood is the order of the day at this open-air restaurant perched on the rocks above the crystal clear cala. Restaurante Sebastian is another one that comes strongly recommended inDeià – owners Sebastian and Patricia have become icons in the village and even have their own book about how the restaurant started! https://www.restaurantesebastian.com/ Béns d’Avall, a family-run restaurant in Sóller, takes inspiration from the Serra de Tramuntana and takes great pride in utilizing regional products. Showcasing Balearic cuisine since 1971, this restaurant offers spectacular terrace views and exceptional food and service. Although the price point is a bit higher than other casual Serra de Tramuntana spots, the experience they deliver is worth every penny. https://www.bensdavall.com/

World-class luxury and service make the Jumeirah Port Soller one of the best hotels on Mallorca. However, it's the panoramic views of the crescent bay of Sóller stretching across to the majestic Tramuntana mountains that truly set this hotel apart. Take in the vista from a Bali bed by the infinity pool as it seemingly blends into the sea below, or luxuriate with a treatment in the top-notch spa. Nestled between the mountains and the sea in pretty Deià, Belmond La Residencia occupies a 16th-century building within 35 acres of mature gardens with citrus trees and olive groves. This property perfectly complements the artistic village it resides in, with beautiful antique furnishings, an extensive art collection, and a sculpture garden. Gran Hotel Son Net, a 17th-century country estate elegantly converted into a boutique hotel, offers luxury and exclusivity to its guests. Overlooking the village of Puigpunyent with the dramatic Serra de Tramuntana as its backdrop, Gran Hotel Son Net offers an escape that feels like a remote hideaway yet is only 20 minutes from the bustling capital of Palma. https://sonnet.es/ Converted from an 18th-century Jesuit monastery, Son Brull has been skillfully redesigned into a contemporary boutique hotel while still retaining its original architectural features. Ideal for a romantic break, this family-owned property sits amidst peaceful natural surroundings in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains, not far from the charming ancient town of Pollensa. https://sonbrull.com/ As the only hotel in Formentor, A Royal Hideaway Hotel is arguably the most exclusive place to stay in Mallorca. Its beautiful location with encircling Mediterranean woodland has attracted celebrities from all over the globe since the 1920s, including the Dalai Lama and Audrey Hepburn. If you're looking for the utmost privacy, this is the hotel to choose. Its direct access to Formentor Beach and thick coverage of Tramuntana pines provides a secluded place to get away from it all.

From the southwest to the northeast, every town, village, and hamlet along the Serra de Tramuntana has a unique and authentic charm with their centuries-old cottages, townhouses, and fincas. While these tiny sleepy villages offer seclusion and breathtaking beauty, international buyers often find the less remote towns more attractive for property investment due to accessibility, types of property available, and a more cosmopolitan community. Expatriates predominantly gravitate towards the prestigious towns of Deià, Valldemossa, and Sóller in the northwest, Port Andratx in the southwest, and Pollensa and Formentor to the north. These areas offer a degree of exclusivity, making them among the most sought after on the island. They offer luxury properties with sweeping mountain and seascape vistas. As such, these aren't areas to find a bargain. Deià is the most expensive, with the average house price at €3.5 million. More reasonably priced properties can still be found in Sóller, Pollensa, and their ports, where a small apartment can be picked up for as little as €150,000. On the winding roads to the outskirts of these towns and villages, you can find impressive rustic country fincas dispersed along the mountainside. These large standalone properties and estates often have sprawling gardens, or even a vineyard, olive grove, or natural spring on their privileged private sections. Entry prices start in the range of €600,000, right up to €20 million for a grand country manor house.

Living in the Serra de Tramuntana means embracing a slower pace of life and escaping the hustle and bustle. Many expatriates choose this tranquil part of the island as their base to run their businesses remotely, facilitated by good global connectivity and high-speed internet. For those looking to find work in the area, job opportunities arise in the hospitality and tourism sector during the warmer months, mostly in the tourist-driven port towns, as well as Valldemossa and Deià. During winter, employment becomes more challenging, although hiking, cycling, and adventure sports really pick up as the temperatures ease, so those with skills in outdoor leisure pursuits can still capitalize on this type of tourism. A burgeoning real estate market across the region keeps agents and property-related businesses busy, and those with multiple languages can do well in this sector. The beauty and natural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana have seen the various villages become increasingly popular with those in the wellbeing industry, running health retreats and holistic events out of private villas and boutique hotels, as well as yoga classes and alternative therapies. Agrotourism, in particular, is on the rise, presenting an opportunity to provide rustic accommodation and back-to-basics hands-on experiences. This could be worth contemplating if you've found yourself in a charming country finca with perhaps some land and animals to tend to.