Cami de Cavalls
The Cami de Cavalls or The Path of Horses, is the name given to the 110 mile
long medieval coastal path that runs around Menorca. After 400 years legislation
has now been passed to enable the path to be reinstated for public use.
Inevitably it does not follow exactly the track of the original road due to
developments over the centuries.
A Stroll On The Quiet Side – Approx 6km
This is a country stroll through quite lanes and across fields and is a rather
flat walk with no hills.
Start by taking the Ciutadella road out of Mahon and watch out for the Km6 road
sign. Turn left just before the Km7 sign and park your car near by a
transformer. There is usually plenty of space.
Take the country lane to your right, which almost runs parallel with the main
road, until you reach a fork with a very old stone built well in the centre. To
the right of the well is an old stone on which is engraved “90 anyos”. Beside
this stone in a shady glen, you will find another well made of Olive Wood.
Turn right up the lane beside the well, passing an old shed where you can see
old farm instruments, and follow the easy access lane (sometimes stony) past the
farmhouse of San Rafael on your right and Santa Elisabet down a lane on your
left.
Approximately 500 metres past Santa Elizabet, you will arrive at a gate on the
left with two large bedrock stones leading into it. Turn through these gates
into a field and almost immediately the path veers left through a stone into the
next field.
Follow this track across fields past old buildings and through the countryside
to the farmhouse of Sa Cova. This path will take you right past the front door
of the farmhouse. It is not normally occupied, however if you find someone
there, simply ask permission to continue.
The path continues through two Menorcan Gates to a ‘T’ junction. Turn left and
continue past the farmhouse Momple and the entrance to Binifaeli Nou on the
left. Carry onto the next ‘T’ junction and turn left down another country lane
back to your car.
The Cypress Tree Walk – Approx 2km
This is an easy walk especially for the non-energetic during which you will see
country lanes, gardens and a cypress tree growing next to a farmhouse.
Start by driving to the village of San Climent on the PM704 road out of Mahon.
From here take the road south leading to Canutells. Approximately 2km down this
road turn left and park in a gateway 200 metres on the left. When parking please
be careful not to obstruct the passage of other cars.
Almost opposite to the gateway is a country lane heading south toward the sea.
Approximately 100m away you will see the tower of a fortified farmhouse on the
skyline which was once a safe house for local farmers from marauding pirates,
and just before this you will see the gardens of Santa Barbara and a cypress
tree is growing up the pink walls of the farmhouse.
When you come across a Villa with a weather vane, continue following the lane
which veers round to the right, and this will take you to a tarmac road which
will eventually lead you to the village of Binidali.
Return to your car along the same route, or alternatively turn right onto the
main road and walk back this way.
Coastal Walk From Sa Mesquida to Es Grau – Approx 6km
This is a rather exhausting walk unless you are extremely fit as it is
constantly up and down hills, however it is well worth the effort. The entire
walk is over rough paths and wild vegetation and almost all of it along the East
Coast of Menorca.
Mesquida beach can be reached from the inland end of Mahon harbour on the PM7101
road to Cala Llonga. Approximately 2km along this road, turn left at the sign to
Mesquida and park next to the beach.
Proceed to the end of the beach and follow an easily visible path to the left
heading north along the coast. Keep on this path wherever possible, taking
detours as they occur from time to time, but heading north keeping close to the
coast.
Continue to the Punta de Sa Cudia where you will turn west to the village of Es
Grau and a welcomed rest before you start the long walk back to Mesquida by the
same outward route.
Part of this route is over the original Cami De Cavall road, which was the
original coastal road constructed in 1331 and partially restored by the French
during their occupation of Menorca in the 18th Century.
Coastal Walk From Santo Tomas to Son Bou – Approx 1 hour
This walk starts at the Hotel Victoria Playa which is the large white hotel
situated at the very end of the Santo Tomas beach.
There is a choice of either walking along the waters edge all the way, or
alternatively taking the path just off the beach. Either walk is easily followed
by aiming for the large towers of the Hotel Sol Milanos Pinguinos in the
distance.
Coastal Walk From Santo Tomas to Biniguas – Approx 20 minutes
From the restaurant Es Bruc, which is on the beach at the western end of Santo
Tomas, turn right walking in front of the restaurant with the beach and the sea
at your left-hand side.
Follow the path which although is not entirely smooth, should not be too
difficult for the majority of people, and after approximately 100 metres you
will see a rock formation a few metres off-shore. Here on the path you will come
across a man made cave formed in the rock side.
The path continues, somewhat unevenly, around this man made cave and there is a
dry stone wall at the right hand side. Beyond the wall you will see a lot of
greenery, and this is the beginning of Biniguas beach where you may see some
naturalist bathing.
Coastal Walk From Cala Galdana to Cala Macarella – Approx 30 minutes
This walk begins at the steps almost opposite the Hotel Audax and heads west
over the wooded cliffs to the pine-fringed cove of Cala Macarella.
The picturesque cove is enclosed by limestone cliffs with those on the western
side containing 3 large caves. The sand at the Macarella is very white and the
sea shelves very gradually which makes it ideal for young and old. There is also
a beach bar at the western end of the beach.
Coastal Walk From Cala Galdana to Cala Metjana – Approx 20 minutes
This walk begins at the Placa de Na Gran which is off the road above the Hotel
Sol Gavilanes where a clearly marked gate opens out onto a woodland path.
Follow this footpath for about 20 minutes until you see the white sandy beach
which curves inland to meet the trees and is bounded by high woodland cliffs.
Cala Mitjana has a high limestone cliff to its eastern side, which overhangs the
water and is full of caves. One such fissure can be entered by swimmers through
a small crack, which permits access into a tunnel running 50 metres into the
cliff, however this is only recommended for good swimmers. Above the caves is a
natural arch into which steps have been carved by smugglers.
Coastal Walk From Son Parc to Cala Pudent – Approx 20 minutes
A rocky path begins at a rough wooden gate in the wall to the left of the beach
and crosses a rocky headland, before then skirting the back of a rocky cove from
which it is an easy scramble down to the bay. Cala Pudent is a long inlet
providing a safe anchorage for small boats, and the cove has a beach of soft
white sand.
Coastal Walk From Punta Nati to Cala Morell – Approx 8km
This walk follows a large part of Menorca's northern coastline and passes
through several coves until it reaches the small village of Cala Morell.
The walk begins in Punta Nati, which can be reached by a road that starts in
northern Ciutadella, where cars can be left, and then simply follows the
coastline the entire time. It passes through Cala Pous, Cala Morts and Sa Punta
des Singles and covers rocky terrain over 50 metre high cliffs. After crossing
the small S'Encletxa de S'Ull de Sol valley, the trail proceeds to an old stone
wall and from there continues for four hours to Cala Morell.
Walk From Ets Alocs to Mount Mala – Approx 6km
The walk begins in the rocky cove of Ets Alocs, on the outskirts of Ferreries.
To reach it, take the C721 road and turn north at km 31.7 on the road to
Ferreries towards the abandoned hermitage. The trail follows the coastline along
flat land until it reaches the foot of Mount Mala. It passes through Cala Pilar,
a broad sandy beach, and after skirting Point D'es Carregador, Playa del Mar,
which is a large natural harbour made up of large fallen rocks. Mount Mala is
located on the far side of the harbour.
Walk From The Port of Mao to Cala Sant Esteve – Approx 4km
The walk begins at the docks in the port of Mao and follows the coastline to
Cala Figuera, continuing on to the village of Castell, where Cala Corb is
located.