Walking holidays in Menorca

Walking holidays in Menorca are best undertaken in the spring and autumn, however shaded pine forests and that lovely salty sea breeze can take the edge off things in the stifling heat of summer. Although accommodation closes in winter, it's still a great time to walk in woodlands – just don’t forget your raincoat.

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Walking holidays in Menorca

Despite the meditative Mediterranean setting, life on the island of Menorca hasn’t always been so peaceful. Byzantines, Ottomans and North African Barbary pirates have all attacked, plundered and sacked the cities of Mahon and Ciutadella, and made away with everything from ecclesiastical treasures to human slaves.

The British and the French followed before finally, in 1783, the island was once more placed under the sovereignty of the Spanish. Since 1993, Menorca has also been protected by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve with 17 areas marked as special interest, while the island as a whole has been deemed a natural reserve.

Over the years, colonial armies, customs guards and islanders have patrolled the coast on the lookout for invaders and smugglers. The coastal footpath that subsequently formed still remains to this day and has become known as the Cami de Cavalls, stretching around the majority of the island for 185km.

Setting off for walks on sections of the Cami de Cavalls is the perfect way to discover Menorca’s rich variety of coastal zones. From sheep-dotted grassy headlands to towering limestone cliffs and deserted sandy beaches – there’s no better way to explore the island than on two feet.

Christian Locke from our Menorca walking holiday partner Headwater says: “Menorca has lots of walking trails all over the island. A good idea is to hire a car and set off in search of a circular trail that takes in the coast and countryside. Many of the trails that we recommend bring you out at beautiful coastal caves and lovely golden sand beaches. We always suggest walkers take a towel and swimming costume with them, as it’s hard to resist going for a swim.”

Below are three of our favourite areas for walking in Menorca. These routes can all be found in our Menorca walking holiday that also includes accommodation at an independently owned rural hotel.

See all our Menorca Holidays

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Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Menorca or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Call us until 5pm

Calling from outside the UK

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Call us until 5pm

Calling from outside the UK

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Top 3 walks in Menorca

1. Santa Galdana Bay Walk (12km)

Set on the south coast between Mahon and Ciutadella, the horseshoe bay of Santa Galdana is one of the most picturesque in the whole of the Balearics. Backed by pine forest covered limestone cliffs and wild orchid and gladioli strewn headlands, this is a stunning place to walk off a picnic.

Starting on the sand-dusted wooden boardwalks at Santa Galdana, the trail winds around coastal footpaths and over windswept headlands before finally arriving at the sandy cove of Cala Turqueta. From here, walkers can return to Santa Galdana on foot or consider following country lanes back to their hotel.

If you’ve got time to spare, continue west from Cala Galdana and you’ll find a lovely coastal path that leads through some of the island’s most natural beaches. This walk will take you to the beautiful bays of Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta, before completing at the seaside resorts of Son Xoriguer and Cala en Bosc.

2. The North Coast Trail (11km)

On the northern half of the island, the coastline from Punta Nati to Cala Carbo is one of the most dramatic, with high limestone cliffs interspersed with tiny coves decorated by volcanic red sand beaches. The North Coast Trail makes the most of these rugged seascapes by following the Cami de Cavalls across poppy-dotted headlands and along a series of wild and windswept beaches before looping back inland via a farm track aligned with bright yellow asphodels in spring.

While you’re in the area, the picturesque port of Fornells makes an ideal place to pause for coffee and cake. Or if you’re in the mood for a climb, why not consider walking up Menorca’s one and only mountain, Monte Toro? The panoramic views from the top are amazing.

Further east, the highest cliffs on the island can be seen at the lighthouse of Cavalleria, with magnificent views of the coastline both to the east and west. The path from Cala Pregonda to the lighthouse has one of the widest diversities of all the northern coast, with red, black and yellow rocks juxtaposed against the distinctive rust-red and gold sand beaches.

3. The Cami Reial (18km)

In complete contrast to the south and north, central Menorca – especially around the whitewashed town of Ferreries – provides a more agricultural backdrop. The Cami Reial (the Royal Way) is a fine inland walk that cuts beneath deep limestone ravines and across wildflower-filled valleys as it leads from Ferreries to Ciutadella.

The walk is peaceful and uncrowded, and features numerous high honeycombed cliffs. Over the years, birds have taken advantage of these natural dwellings with a variety of species, from nightingales and warblers to Egyptian vultures, known to nest in the area.

The meadows in the valley bottoms are carpeted with flowers in spring. However, it can get stiflingly hot in the summer due to the lack of sea breeze. Make sure you start out early from Ferreries and time your arrival in Ciutadella to coincide with the local bus that can whisk you back to base for a siesta.

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Written by Chris Owen

Walking holidays in Menorca

Walking holidays in Menorca