Orient and the Foothills

A scenic route with hardly any hairpins, but a useful warm-up for the Lluc climb and the Lighthouse ride. Allow plenty of time for the 75 miles, with 2 café stops.

Take main road, C712, south from Port d’Alcudia towards Can Picafort, but after a couple of miles at Las Gaviotas take right at traffic lights between shops/bars towards Sa Pobla. Follow the “Marshes Road” through reeds to Sa Pobla. In Sa Pobla turn left, then right, and look for signs to left for Llubi. Follow Llubi road for about 2.5 miles. Turn right at T junction onto road from Muro, and continue forward, ignoring left fork to Llubi. After nearly 4 miles, at T junction with Inca-Llubi road, turn right and immediately left onto unsigned rough surfaced track. You are now on the Waterpipe road, but don’t panic – it joins tarmac again after about 800 yds. Continue to Santa Maria del Cami. Bear right to reach main road, where left and right onto PM202 to Bunyola, and café stop at square on left. This is a good point to rehydrate from litre bottles sold by the bar. Take road to right, opposite square, to climb up to Orient. Continue, descending towards Alaro, but before Alaro take a left and left again onto scenic road to Lloseta. Follow one-way system in Lloseta, and look for difficult junction left to Biniamar. There look for route to Mancor de Valle, and Caimari. Then take road to Selva, where left through Moscari to Campanet.

Entering Campanet, fork left and then several left and rights towards the caves, avoiding the village centre. For a deserved 2nd café stop follow the signs to the caves, then take the steps up to the café. The views over the valley are magnificent, and it is a delightful sun-trap. The cats provide additional interest.

Finally return towards Sa Pobla, crossing the Palma road with care. Find your way through Sa Pobla, following signs for Pollensa but locate the start of the “Marshes Road” used earlier, and back via Alcudia.