The sensational road to Formentor Lighthouse in Mallorca
Spain, europe
10.9 km
119 m
extreme
Year-round
# Far de Formentor: Mallorca's Most Breathtaking Drive
Perched at 119 meters (390 feet) above sea level, the Far de Formentor lighthouse sits like a crown jewel at the northern tip of Mallorca's Formentor peninsula. Built back in 1863 to guide ships safely through the night, this stunning beacon marks the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.
The 10.9-kilometer (6.77-mile) journey on the perfectly paved MA2210 road starts at Platja de Formentor and is nothing short of spectacular. Sure, the lighthouse itself has a bar and shop for post-drive refreshments, but honestly? The real attraction is the road itself.
**Buckle up—this isn't for the faint of heart.** The route climbs a serious 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) with gradients typically around 7-8%, though you'll hit some gnarly 10%+ sections. But here's the kicker: the road hugs the edges of dramatic limestone cliffs with absolutely jaw-dropping drop-offs over the sea. Vertigo sufferers, skip this one.
Engineer Antonio Parietti designed this serpentine masterpiece in 1925 with pure genius—where the slope got too steep, he curved. The result? A road that winds around the mountains like an abandoned silk ribbon, with pine trees seemingly defying gravity as they sprout from the rocks.
**Here's the catch:** Summer access is limited. From June 15th to September 15th, private cars are barred between 10 am and 7 pm. Your only options then? Walk, cycle, or hop on the public shuttle from Port de Pollença. Outside peak season? You've got the road mostly to yourself.
Plan for 20-30 minutes of driving, but honestly, set aside way more time. With those breathtaking viewpoints of 400-meter cliffs and the rugged Mallorcan coastline unfolding before you, you'll want to linger and soak it all in. It's legitimately one of the world's most scenic drives.
Where is it?
The sensational road to Formentor Lighthouse in Mallorca is located in Spain (europe). Coordinates: 39.1184, -4.1832
Road Details
- Country
- Spain
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 10.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 119 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 39.1184, -4.1832
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Gaizinkalns?
🌍 Latvia
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through eastern Latvia, heading into the Vidzeme Highlands. Your destination? Gaizinkalns, the big kahuna of Latvia's hills, topping out at 311 meters (a little over 1,000 feet). The adventure really begins when you leave the paved P81 highway in Bērzaune. From there, it's about 11.2 kilometers (almost 7 miles) on a completely unpaved road leading to a parking lot. It's bumpy but manageable. Once parked, stretch your legs and take a short walk to conquer Latvia's highest point! You can even traverse the whole hilltop – it’s only about a kilometer! Keep an eye out for the views from the four slopes, each with its own dramatic name: "Ladies' Paradise," "The Western Slope," "The Lesser Golgotha," and "Golgotha." Sounds intense, right? Word to the wise: there's an old, Cold War-era watchtower at the summit, standing about 45 meters high. It's super tempting to climb, but trust me, it's wrecked and off-limits. It's a cool relic from the past, but definitely admire it from afar. Expect January temps to hover around -6°C, while July brings a more moderate +16.5°C. Pack your raincoat, because this region sees a good amount of rainfall (around 750 mm). And if you're visiting in winter, prepare for snow – they get a thick blanket, averaging over 40 cm!
moderateWhere is Hohneck?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: You're in France, cruising through the Grand Est region, specifically the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. You're heading up to Hohneck, a peak sitting right on the border of the Vosges and Haut-Rhin departments, about 4,468 feet above sea level. What awaits you at the top? A huge parking lot and a cozy mountain refuge called Auberge du Sommet du Hohneck, perfect for a pit stop. This peak basically splits Alsace and Lorraine! And just a hop, skip, and a jump away (1.5km to the east) is Little Hohneck, clocking in at 4,225 feet. Plus, skiers and snowboarders, take note: La Bresse Hohneck is practically on top of the mountain. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! Get ready for some serious views from high up in the Vosges Mountains. On a clear day, you can see everything from the entire Vosges range to the Black Forest, the Jura, a good chunk of the Swiss Alps, and even the Alps far off in the distance! The road itself? Let's just say it adds a little *spice* to the adventure. It's paved, but it's seen better days. Think seven hairpin turns and some narrow sections, so keep your eyes peeled! The climb from the D430 (Route des Cretes) is a short but sweet 0.86 miles. In that short distance, you'll climb around 374 feet, giving you an average gradient of around 8%, which is pretty spicy! Get ready for a memorable drive with views that will knock your socks off!
hardWhere is Pavé de la Croix Blanche?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, cycling fans, buckle up! Let's talk about the Pavé de la Croix Blanche, a legendary cobbled sector nestled in the Nord department of the Hauts-de-France region, France. You'll find this beast just east of Mons-en-Pévèle, in the northern reaches of the country. This isn't just any road; it's a bone-jarring, soul-testing stretch of cobblestones that's been a staple of the Paris-Roubaix and Tour de France races. It's earned its five-star rating – the ultimate difficulty level! Clocking in at only 3,000 meters, it might not sound like much, but don't be fooled. You'll start at 53 meters elevation and gradually climb to 63 meters, but the changing road conditions will really get you. Be warned: it's often slick and slicker with puddles of rainwater. The first 1,100 meters are decent, but then the cobbles start to get rough. The final 1,100 meters get messy as mud flows down from the surrounding fields.
moderateRoad MA-3111
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, road trip dreamers, picture this: you're carving through the mountains of southern Spain, specifically Málaga in Andalusia. This is the MA-3111, a seriously fun, twisty-turny road that's paved and in great shape. Think 17.2 km of pure driving bliss, connecting Gentilicio (off the MA-3110) with La Alqueria (MA-3105). But it's not just about the drive; the views are absolutely stunning! As you wind your way up, you'll hit a peak elevation of 863m (2,831ft), giving you panoramas that stretch for miles. Just imagine cruising from the inland town of Gentilicio all the way to the coastal villages east of Málaga! Basically, it's a road trip for the memory books.