Route no. 8 · start & finish Can Pastilla
Randa
- Moderate
- 65 km
- 646 m
- ≈ 2½–3 h
Map and elevation profile
Move along the elevation profile to see where you are on the map.
Food & coffee stops
Tried-and-tested places where cyclists like to stop for coffee, food or water.
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Restaurant 21 kmCeller de Randa Randa
Traditional Mallorcan cuisine in the village at the foot of the climb – a classic cyclists' pit stop; closed on Tuesdays.
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Café 26 kmSantuari de Cura café / restaurant Puig de Randa (summit)
Coffee and cake on the summit terrace overlooking the plain and the Bay of Palma. The café is open daily: from 8:00 in season, in winter (roughly November to mid-March) from 9:30 and with shorter hours.
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Café 35 kmBar Café S'Espigolera Llucmajor
Espresso and a croissant on the shady terrace on Plaça des Convent, a favourite quick stop for riders; closed on Sundays.
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Randa, Climbing for a Reward
Route summary:
This route leads upward to the Cura Sanctuary monastery, and provides an ideal opportunity to test your strength on short sections. You will gradually climb to an altitude of 543 m above sea level. This route is not so demanding because of its relatively short distance. However, proper energy distribution is still needed as you climb toward Cura. The whole route takes from 2 to 3 hours depending on your average speed. There are two ways to get to the top. The more pleasant one starts in the town of Randa, and the second follows the pilgrimage route round the Nostra Senyora de Gracia sanctuary with more difficult terrain. You will find Cura Sanctuary at the top, with a great restaurant and beautiful views over the surrounding flat terrain and towns. It is important to remember your energy intake and hydration during the climb. On the way back, you can stop at the nearby Llucmajor. Its picturesque square is home to a series of cafés, and it also offers a lot of historical monuments.
Cycling route summary:
If you look at the profile of the route, you can expect slightly hilly profile, right after the initial kilometers. You will start slightly climbing up to Llucmajor, for 15 kilometers in the beginning. The route then continues in a similar way for a few more kilometers to Randa. The climb to the top of the hill, to the sanctuary Cura, will follow. It is around 5 kilometers of climbing with a pleasant slope and some very tight turns. Nice and easy part will come on the way back down to Llucmajor. From there, you will only ride flat or slightly down the hill back to Can Pastilla.
Tourist summary:
The start and end of the route is in Palma AQUARIUM. It is located near our base and bike rental Mallorcacyclingcenter. The beginning is on the roads between the Majorcan plantations, followed by a climb to the top of Puig de Randa, 543 heigh. At the very top, you can enjoy not only the breathtaking views, but also the beauty of the local sanctuary de Cura. The other half of the route will take you through the historic town Llucmajor to the coast. The costal view will be a pleasant finish of the day.
Climbs click to show on the map
- Puig de Randa (Santuari de Cura) from Randa 4.7 km · Ø 5.5 % · max. 8.2 % · top 544 m km 21–26
Tips from our guides
- A perfect first-day ride with just one climb. The steepest ramps, about 10%, come right at the start in Randa; then it eases, so don't go out too hard.
- Cura is a popular sight with a large car park, so expect cars and sometimes buggy tours on the climb. Ride single file and keep right.
- At over 500 m the summit is often breezy and cooler than the coast. Pack a gilet or arm warmers for the descent, even on warm days.
- The descent from Cura has tight hairpins and cars coming up towards you. Stay on your side of the road and brake before each bend.
- The final stretch along the Platja de Palma beachfront is busy in summer, with plenty of pedestrians and scooters. Slow down and enjoy the sea view.
Did you know?
- Puig de Randa has three sanctuaries. Gràcia, at 370 m, is built under the overhang of the Penya Falconera cliff; its present church was completed in 1819. source
- Sant Honorat, a short turn-off from the climb, was founded in 1394 by the hermit Arnau Desbrull. Since 1915 it has housed the novitiate of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts. source
- Cura was home to the Aula de Gramàtica, a school founded in the 15th century and one of Mallorca's three great grammar schools. It closed around 1830. source
Places along the route
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117 km
Llucmajor
It is the largest city on the island in terms of its wide area, however the town itself has fewer than 12,000 inhabitants (the whole municipality over 40,000). The first historical records of the city date back to the 13th century. Definitely the most interesting historical event is the Battle of Llucmajor. It was a part of the war of independence of the Mallorca Kingdom in 1349.
Important city industry today includes tourism and footwear production.
The most famous monuments of the city are the Town Hall, the Church of St. Michael from the 18th century on Plaça Santa Catalina Tomàs and the monument of James III - Passeig Jaume III. Jaume III. fell in a memorable battle in the war for independence.
The strong agricultural tradition, is very specific for Llucmajor. It has been preserved to this day. Abundant orchards of apricots and almonds are visible throughout the city.
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220 km
Randa
It is a village below the mountains, with many historical buildings and diverse landscape. The origin of the word Randa comes from Arabic, meaning "laurel". It is specific to this area and is one of the ingredients in the local herbal liqueur.
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325 km
Puig de Randa
The mountains, known mainly for their breathtaking views. They also have a number of historical monuments. For example the Sanctuary de Sant Honorat and the Sanctuary de Cura. The Sanctuary de Cura rises at the very top of the mountain. For many years, writer Ramon Llull, closely associated with the whole island, lived here. There is a restaurant on the top, where you can enjoy the breathtaking views with coffee and small treats.
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460 km
s’Arenal coast
You will enjoy a ride along the coast, at the end of the route. You can watch the sea and the harbor, nearby the city center of Palma. There are also traditional markets every Tuesday and Thursday.
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