An epic road trip to Puig Major in Mallorca

Puig Major is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.417m (4,648ft) above the sea level, located on the Spanish island of Mallorca. The top of this mountain is off limits as a military zone and corresponding permission by the Air Force will be required.

Can you drive to the top of Puig Major?

Set high in the rugged Serra de Tramuntana range, the summit hosts a military radar tower built and installed by the Americans. Puig Major is the highest peak on the island. The summit of the mountain is off-limits to the public as it is used for military purposes.

Is the road to Puig Major paved?

Tucked away on the northwestern part of Mallorca, the road to the summit is totally paved. It was built in 1958 in order to install the military radar tower.

How hard is Puig Major?

Starting at the scenic Ma-10 road, the road to the summit is 6.9 km (4.28 miles) long. It’s very steep, hitting an 11% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The elevation gain is 587 meters and the average gradient is 8.50%. This route includes 8 distinguishing hairpin turns. The climb to the top is fairly consistent. This really is a worthwhile effort as you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view over the Serra de Tramuntana and practically all of Mallorca. The summit is subject to strong north and north-westerly winds.

Pic: Rafael Vaquer