The climb up the valley helps explain why the Island’s dramatic northern mountain spine was awarded UNESCO heritage status. The lower lush landscapes are lined by the dry stone walls, a material which also is used to construct terracing to make the rocky terrain scalable. Human endeavour to manage and climb the slopes, does it sound familiar?

The road construction is the same. Like so many of the Mallorcan cycling climbs, Femenia is appealing because the gradual gradient allows you to pick your pace. The climb is 7.5km at an average gradient of 6% and, once again, the surface is nothing but impeccable.

As you climb higher the surrounding landscape becomes more rugged. The Mallorcan mountain goats will most likely be watching, balanced on the cliffs above, making the most of the available resources around them. Look out also for the vultures circling on the thermals in the valley to your left. Femenia’s surrounding landscape is perhaps one of the most diverse of all the ascents on the island.

Which is a good thing, because the summit itself is rather underwhelming. But, like Coll de Sóller, it’s a gateway to the rest of the mountain range the other great climbs of the Island. Follow the roller-coaster which eventually arrives at the Coll de sa Batalla and then pick your parcours for the return to Pollença.

STRAVA SEGMENT

THE RIDE : Femenia & Sa Calobra