Before the tunnel, every car to Sóller had to go over the top. Now the old road over Coll de Sóller is quiet, and it has become one of the classic climbs of the Serra de Tramuntana: a ribbon of tight hairpins stacked one above another up the side of the mountain.
This route climbs the south side to the col at 495 m. The climb itself runs for about 7 km at an average of 4.4%, never brutal but never easy, with a bend every few hundred metres. Then you drop over the top and descend all the way down into Sóller, close to sea level.
Because the gradient is gentle and steady, it is a perfect climb to learn pacing on. You can ride it at threshold for a hard workout, or at tempo as part of a longer session. The total climbing is 333 m over 17.3 km, which makes it a moderate ride overall.
In Atlas Indoor you ride the real road, every hairpin in its place, with your trainer adding resistance on the way up and easing off on the descent. Pair it with the Puig Major climb from Sóller for a big Tramuntana day on the trainer.
How to ride Coll de Sóller indoors
The climb is long and even, so pick a power and hold it. Shift down before each hairpin to keep your cadence steady through the bends. When you reach the col, enjoy the descent and spin your legs to recover.
New to indoor riding? See the Atlas Indoor guide or how to connect your trainer.
Coll de Sóller: questions
How long does Coll de Sóller take to ride indoors?
About 45 min at 150 W, 40 min at 200 W, 35 min at 250 W. Estimates assume steady power and a 75 kg rider on an 8 kg bike, using the same physics as the ride itself.
How hard is Coll de Sóller?
Atlas rates it moderate: 17.3 km with 333 m of climbing, an average climbing gradient of 4.6% and a steepest kilometre of about 5.6%.
Do I need a smart trainer?
A controllable smart trainer changes resistance with the road's gradient. A power meter or basic Bluetooth trainer also works for a recorded ride. Without either, you can explore the route with demo watts, but demo rides don't count towards results.