Sa Calobra
🇪🇸 Spain
Sa Calobra is a legendary winding road on the northwest coast of Mallorca, Spain, descending from the Coll dels Reis pass at 682 meters to sea level over just 9.4 kilometers. The road features a remarkable 270-degree turn where it loops under itself in a knot-like formation, one of the most photographed road features in Europe. Built in 1932 by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, the road was an extraordinary engineering achievement for its time.
The road descends through the rugged Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering dramatic views of limestone cliffs plunging into the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. With its twelve major hairpin bends and steep gradients of up to 7%, Sa Calobra is a favorite challenge among road cyclists. The annual Sa Calobra cycling event draws thousands of riders who test themselves on the punishing climb back to the summit.
At the bottom, the road ends at a small cove where the Torrent de Pareis gorge meets the sea. This deep limestone gorge, one of the most impressive natural features of Mallorca, can be explored on foot through a series of short tunnels cut through the rock. The beach at the mouth of the gorge is popular with swimmers and hikers. The road itself is narrow and busy in summer, so early morning drives are recommended to enjoy the experience without heavy traffic.