Cap de Formentor: Cycling Climb

The climb · Spain

About Cap de Formentor

Collections

Mallorca’s 10 most popular cycling climbs

Leaving Port de Pollença, the road towards Cap de Formentor begins with a proper climb to the ridge by the Colomer viewpoint. The bay falls away behind the bends before a descent changes the rhythm completely. This catalogue route follows the outward journey along the peninsula towards the lighthouse, combining climbing and descending over roughly 16.8 kilometres. Its character comes from that repeated change of effort, with fresh rises following stretches where the legs can turn more easily.

Beyond the Formentor beach junction, pine woodland gives way to increasingly rocky coastal scenery. The road threads a tunnel and crosses the folds of the headland, bringing the sea into view from changing angles. The recorded stretch stops before the final access to the lighthouse, and the riding never settles into one continuous ascent. The return also involves climbing. A varied coastal ride whose appeal is as much in the journey as the endpoint.

01 / The ascent

Elevation profile

Start -46 m · Summit 172 m

Gradient by distance16.80 km / 469 m gain

0 km3.4 km6.7 km10.1 km13.4 km16.8 km

02 / The crux

Where it gets difficult

Choose a distance to find the steepest continuous section of the climb.

Steepest 500 m average

8.1%

Where to find it

10.50–11.00 km from start

Net height gained: 41 m
Section length: 500 m

The whole climb16.80 km

0 kmFinish

03 / The numbers

Climb statistics

Distance: 16.80 km
Elevation gain: 469 m
Average gradient: 0.8%
Climb category: Uncategorized
Start elevation: -46 m
Summit elevation: 172 m

Current weather

At the climb start

Loading weather…

Weather data: MET Norway

04 / Your effort

How long would it take?

Enter the power you could hold for the whole climb. We calculate a moving time from the elevation profile and the forces you ride against.

Sustained power

W/kg

Use your intended climbing effort, rather than FTP unless you can hold it for the predicted duration.

Rider weight (kg)

Bike + kit weight (kg)

Bike + kit includes clothing, bottles and luggage.

Advanced settings

Defaults represent a road-bike scenario. Adjust these settings to match your tyres, drivetrain and riding position.

Effective drag area (CdA) (m²)

Rolling resistance (Crr)

Drivetrain efficiency (%)

Modelled moving time

44 min

Power throughout: 225 W
Average speed: 23.1 km/h

Based on the 16.80 km elevation profile. Assumes steady power, with no stops, braking or drafting. Rounded to the nearest minute.

The science behind the calculation

For each part of the stored profile, we solve the steady-state cycling power equation for speed, then add distance ÷ speed across the climb. Gravity uses rider + equipment weight; available power is W/kg × rider weight. This uses the profile’s distance and elevation together, without mixing in another route’s metrics.

Power × efficiency = gravity + rolling resistance + air resistance + bearing losses

The resistance equations are adapted from Martin et al. (1998), Validation of a Mathematical Model for Road Cycling Power. Air density changes with profile altitude using NASA’s standard-atmosphere model. This calculator’s adaptation has not been independently validated.

It predicts travel at the power you enter, including on descents. It does not model acceleration, cornering, braking, traffic, wind, changing weather or fatigue. At altitude, choose power you can sustain there: thinner air reduces drag, but this model does not predict its effect on your ability to produce power. Profile quality and assumed equipment settings also affect the result.

05 / On the ground