Overview
Menorca (Minorca) is the greenest and most authentic of Spain’s Balearic islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Though not as popular as its neighbours Mallorca and Ibiza, it has a lot to offer to the walker – endless sand beaches, turquoise-watered bays (calas), pine forests along the coast, spectacular cliffs and historic towns. The capital Mahón is a lovely port, which makes it an ideal base for your introduction to the island, with its excellent cuisine, fine wines and rich and fascinating history.
- Menorca, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993
- The greenest and most authentic of the Balearic Islands
- Ports full of tiny boats and seafood restaurants
- Camí dels Cavalls – a horsemen’s trail established long ago by English settlers
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Mahón
Arrival on Menorca, where you settle in at your accommodation in the capital city of Mahón. The authentic city centre includes an interesting mix of architectural styles, with stately homes and monuments, such as the Teatre Principal and the churches of San Frances and Santa María.
- Overnight in Mahón (Hotel Artiem Capri or similar)
Day 2: From Es Grau to Port d’Addaia | 19km
In the morning, a short transfer will take you to the fishing village of Es Grau, just outside S’Albufera Natural Park. Here you pick up the Cami de Cavalls, which takes you through marshes and dune areas around an enormous freshwater lake. Once past Cape Favaritx, the landscape becomes steeper and rockier. The only splash of colour in this stark landscape is the bright pink blooms of Carpobrotus. Traversing salt-water marshes, you reach the holiday town of Port D’Addario. Short transfer to the next accommodation, in Menorca’s northernmost fishing village.
- Walking for the day: 19km, 5-6h, ↑350m ↓350m
- Overnight in Fornells (Hostal La Palma or similar)
Day 3: From Fornells to Cala Pilar | 15km
Short transfer to Cap de Cavalleria, where you pick up the Camí dels Cavalls for a walk along the rough, isolated coastline of the island’s most mountainous area. The terrain alternates between rocky cliffs and low marshlands, and you traverse Mediterranean woodlands, which are home to a variety of birds. At the end of the walk, transfer back to your accommodation in Fornells.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5-6h, ↑350m ↓350m
- Overnight in Fornells (Hostal La Palma or similar)
Day 4: From Cala Pilar to Cala Morell | 14km
After a morning transfer, you walk from Platja Cala Pilar through a flatter landscape of open farmland. Here, the local cheese, “Queso de Mahón” is made on old farmsteads dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. A relatively easy day providing some time in the afternoon to relax at your accommodation or visit Ciutadella.
- Walking for the day: 14km, 4h, ↑200m ↓200m
- Overnight in Ciutadella de Menorca (Hotel Alfons III or similar)
Day 5: From Cala Morell to Cales Piques | 14-18km
Your driver will drop you in Cala Morell, where today’s route starts and takes you into an area dotted with ancient dwellings from the Talaiotic period. Surrounded by typical Mediterranean plants – rosemary, rockrose and chamomile – you make your way toward a dry limestone plateau, where the Tramuntana wind blows continuously and fields are protected by high walls. No modern houses in sight, just “barracas”, strange pyramidal structures from prehistoric times. Your route ends in Cales Piques, where you catch a bus (or optionally continue on foot) to the pretty port town of Ciutadella de Menorca.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 6h, ↑250m ↓250m // 14km, 4h, ↑200m ↓200m (if you take the bus in Cales Piques)
- Overnight in Ciutadella de Menorca (Hotel Alfons III or similar)
Day 6: From Son Xoriguer to Cala Galdana | 15km
Short transfer to Son Xoriguer to continue your trek along the coast. The landscape here is mainly flat, and you walk through woodlands of evergreen oaks, firs and wild olive trees, passing gorgeous coves such as Platges de Son Saura or Cala en Turqueta. Later, the terrain becomes more rugged, and you traverse deep ravines on your way to the coastal village of Cala Galdana.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 4.5-5h, ↑250m ↓250m
- Overnight in Cala Galdana (Hotel Artiem Audax or similar)
Day 7: Cala Galdana Circular Walk | 19km
The last walk of your programme takes you through an oak wood with remains of ancient chalk ovens to Migjorn plateau, home to the Mediterranean species Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hernanni). At Platjas de Binigaus, you leave the Camí dels Cavalls and follow the coastal path (“El Litoral”) back to Cala Mitjani. Private transfer to your hotel in Mahón.
- Walking for the day: 19km, 5-6h, ↑350m ↓350m
- Overnight in Mahón (Hotel Artiem Capri or similar)
Day 8: Departure
Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
The hotels on this trip have been carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite. Some of the hotels have a swimming pool. Hotel Artiem Audax in Cala Galdana is adults only.
Click to view default hotels
Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts are included in the programme. 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
The walking sections require good fitness level; there are no steep descents and ascents. Each day, you walk a section of the route circling the island. With the help of taxi transfers, you’ll walk the best routes and skip the less interesting parts. Camí dels Cavalls – a horsemen’s trail established long ago by English settlers – has recently been way-marked as a GR long-distance walking path. (read more about difficulty grades). The routes on this trip are generally well-marked, but marking can be poor in places and you will need to follow the route notes and maps provided by us. 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
You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between the beginning of April and the middle of July and from the beginning of September until the end of October. It is not available in the second half of July and August as it is very hot. Another blackout period is 16 – 22 June 2023.
The best time to visit is between May and October when the weather is warm and pleasant. The high season for beach tourism is between June and September, although this island never sees as many tourists as neighbouring Mallorca. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Menorca (MAH).
By train or bus
- You can take the shuttle bus line 10 into Mahón city centre. Services operate every half an hour. The bus station is about 20 minutes from your accommodation. You can also order a taxi direct to your hotel in the city centre. From the bus station in Mahón, you can take a bus to the airport or a taxi directly from your hotel.
- For further information and timetables see here or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in charming hotels in private en-suite rooms
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (1 piece up to 20kg per person)
- Transfers to/from the trails according to the programme: days 2, 3 and 4 – in the morning and in the afternoon; days 5 and 6 – in the morning; day 7 – in the afternoon
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Public bus transfers on day 5 in the afternoon, day 7 in the morning and others not mentioned as ‘included’ in the itinerary
- 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
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
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