Overview
Menorca is like manna from hiking heaven. It’s also the greenest of the Balearics, thanks to its north-eastern location which brings more rain and wind, but also no shortage of sunshine. Stretching for 53km east to west, its most elevated point is El Toro, at 358m. So you have constant coastal views and visits while walking in Menorca, especially as there is a long-distance trail, the Camí de Cavalls (GR223), to explore it. This walking holiday takes on the most stunning parts of the Camí, in the north, south and east of the island, with hiking highlights on this eight day, self-guided holiday including S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park, the elegant town of Ciutadella, and a colossal collection of remote beaches.
- Menorca, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993
- Camí de Cavalls (GR223)
- Mahón
- Ciutadella
- Cala Galdana
- S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Mahón
Depending on arrival time, spend the afternoon exploring Menorca’s capital city Mahón, a natural harbour also known as Maó, with pretty pastel streets and a welcoming historical centre. Treats include eating at its atmospheric fish market, seek out many artisan craft stalls and boutiques and also its famous Xoriguer Gin distillery.
- Accommodation: Hotel Artiem Capri or similar in Mahón
Day 2: Favàritx lighthouse – Sa Mesquida | 15.3km
You are transferred to Favàritx lighthouse, where the Camí de Cavalls walk starts in the lunar landscape of Cape Favaritx, with views over the rugged coast and unspoilt coves. The path continues to Tortuga beach, a perfect spot for a swim. From the beach, the path turns inland through Menorcan countryside, where typical drywall constructions blend with rolling green fields. Arrive at Es Grau, a perfect spot for some luncb before continuing to Sa Mesquida beach, where you are met and transferred back to Mahón.
- Accommodation: Hotel Artiem Capri or similar in Mahón
- Walking for the day: 15.3km
Day 3: Cala en Porter – Sant Tomàs | 16.6km
You have a short transfer to Cala en Porter, where the walk begins along the Camí de Cavalls towards Son Bou, the longest beach on the island. Near the shoreline, you pass the remains of a paleo-Christian basilica and continue alongside the dune system that borders the beach. The route then turns inland, crossing the cultivated land of Prat de Son Bou and skirting Ses Canessies lagoon, an important wetland area. Reaching the coast again, continue on foot to Sant Tomàs, where the day’s walk comes to an end.
- Accommodation: Hotel Seth Santo Tomas or similar in Sant Tomàs
- Walking for the day: 16.6km
Day 4: Sant Tomàs – Cala Galdana | 12.7km
Today you cross some of the most important ravines of the island on the Camí de Cavalls. Leave the hotel to cross Sant Tomàs Beach and Sant Adeodat and head to Binigaus beach. At the beginning of your hike, you can visit the caves of Es Coloms. The route then moves inland through the rolling farmland of Binigaus and crosses the ravines of Trebalúger and Es Calafat. Returning to the coast, walk past Cala Mitjana and the smaller cove of Cala Mitjaneta before arriving at Cala Galdana, a charming coastal own to spend the night.
- Accommodation: Hotel Artiem Audax or similar in Cala Galdana
- Walking for the day: 12.7km
Day 5: Cala Galdana – Son Saura | 11.1km
Leave Cala Galdana and follow the Camí de Cavalls to Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta, passing reed beds near Santa Anna. The route continues through areas of wild olive groves and juniper-covered terrain before arriving at Cala en Turqueta. Along the way, the path crosses protected coastal terrain shaped by small ravines and inlets. Before arriving at Son Saura, you can take a break at Cala Talaier. From Son Saura, you are met and transferred to your hotel in Ciutadella.
- Accommodation: Menurka Hostal or similar in Ciutadella
- Walking for the day: 11.1km
Day 6: Cala Morell – Cala del Pilar | 15.8km
You are transferred to Cala Morell, the starting point for today’s walk, where we recommend taking time to visit the extraordinary necropolis on the edge of the town. The Camí de Cavalls then follows a rocky stretch of coastline, passing grazing areas and open headlands. The path continues through a dunes and elevated coastal ridges. After crossing Pla de Mar and an old mining area, the trail enters wooded sections before reaching the red sands of El Pilar beach. You are met by our driver who takes you to Es Salines or nearby Port Fornells for the night.
- Accommodation: Hostal Port Fornells in Ses Salines or similar in neighbouring Port Fornells
- Walking for the day: 15.8km
Day 7: Port Fornells – Binimel-là | 14km
Walk from the hotel through some of the least developed inland and coastal stretches of the north side of island, still following the Camí de Cavalls for the most part. The route links a series of stunning, dune-backed beaches, including Cala Mica, Cavalleria and Tirant. Arrive at Binemal-là beach. A final transfer takes you to Mahón.
- Accommodation: Hotel Artiem Capri or similar in Mahón
- Walking for the day: 14km
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to natural adventures. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms and most have swimming pools.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Artiem Capri (Mahón)
- Hotel Seth Santo Tomas (Sant Tomàs)
- Menurka Hostal (Ciutadella)
- Hotel Artiem Audax (Cala Galdana)
- Hostal Port Fornells (Port Fornells)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included. When no restaurant location is available on route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is graded as moderate, with daily walking distances ranging from 10-17km and no steep descents and ascents (read more about difficulty grades). Each day, you walk a section of the route circling the island with the help of taxi transfers, enabling you to walk the best routes and skip the less interesting parts.
The routes on this trip are well-marked, following the red signposts or red and white waymarkers of the Camí de Cavalls. We strongly advise you to follow the trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This tour is available from March until June and from September until early November. In July and August, it is very hot for walking, so we don’t have bookings during that time. .
The best time for walking in Menorca is between April and July, and then throughout September and October, avoiding peak season and peak temperatures. In April, average maximum temperatures are 18C, increasing to 26C in September and dipping to 22C in October. See our blogs, Walking the Camí de Cavalls, Ultimate guide to the Balearics and Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Menorca Airport (MAH).
By train or bus
- Arrival/departure: there are regular shuttle buses from the airport to Mahón city centre (8mins) For more information see the local provider Torres or use the Omio planner above.
- Alternatively there are taxis available in front of the airport.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between accommodations when changing accommodation (one piece of luggage up to 20kg)
- Welcome meeting
- Transfers to/from the trails as listed in the itinerary
- Digital detailed route notes and maps and GPS tracks, as well as photocopies of maps for each day.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Printed tour materials and GPS device rental
- Extra nights in Mahon
- Airport transfers
- Half-board
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
