The Camí de Cavalls (meaning horse path) is a 185 km trail that runs along the entire perimeter of Menorca. Rehabilitated a few years ago through various land expropriations and reconstruction of staircases and barriers, the trail is, once again, the perfect way to discover what the island has to offer: remote beaches, unspoiled nature, landscapes, and panoramic views. Explore the entire island during your holiday in a Menorca villa.
The first stage of the Camí de Cavalls (there are 20 stages in total) officially begins in Mahon, the capital of the island. The trail, however, can be started from any point and all stages are easily accessible by car (and often by bus). At the beginning of each stage, you will find a map indicating the kilometers, altitude, and landscape features. The Camí de Cavalls path may take an entirety of 10-15 days to complete, but it is totally possible (and encouraged!) to spend the night in tents at the end of each stage. If you don't have time to do the whole 185 km, we advise you to do the stages that interest you most, depending on how much time you do have. The Camí de Cavalls is also one of the best things to do on a solo-trip to Menorca.
Read more below to see a comprehensive list of the most beautiful stages of this incredible journey around the Balearic Island of Menorca.
Es Grau - Favàritx (8.6 km, stage 2)
As you can see from the photo above, this truly is one of the most beautiful stages of the path. From the beach of Es Grau, cross the Albufera Nature Park, the beach of Sa Torreta (named after the defense tower that can be seen on the way), the virgin beaches of Cala Tortuga and Cala Presili, and finally reaching the Lighthouse Favàritx. Here the landscape is lunar, devoid of vegetation (except for socarrells, dry bushes shaped pillow, eroded by wind and salt), with the Carboniferous sandstones and board, of more than 300 million years!
Favàritx - Arenal d'en Castell (13.6 km, stage 3)
This one of the top three stages of the north coast because of the richness of the landscape. Starting from the head of Favàritx, the path heads towards the inner zone through the typical Menorcan landscape of farmlands and pastures, olive groves, and shrubs. Deviating a little from the Camí de Cavalls, you can reach the beaches and secluded beach Mongofre. The path continues through Saline Mongofre and Addaia, now disused.
Cavalry and Pregonda (4 km, stage 5-6)
To see two of the best virgin beaches of the north coast of Menorca, my advice is to start with these two stages from the parking lot of Binimel·là, which is 3 km away from Cavalry and 1 km from Pregonda.
The first path will reward you with a golden sandy beach, an archaeological site (the port of the ancient Roman city of Sa Nitja), and the Cavalleria lighthouse – cliffs 80 meters high and the most northern point of the island.
The second, with a red beach, white-yellowish volcanic rocks and crystalline waters, where you can not swim due to being an area protected by the Marine Reserve. For these reasons, it is understandable to envy the owners of the three houses on the seashore at Pregonda (each sold for 9 million euros)!
Els Alocs - Algaraiens (9.7 km, stage 7)
This path is a clear example of how the north coast of Menorca offers habitat completely different from each other: we pass from the pebble beach of Els rounded Alocs, the stretch of sand of Cala Pilar, a beach with untouched sand and red rocks. Sparse vegetation in the coastal area, the wood on the inside. A must is the Macar of Alfurinet, famous for its round stones the size of a rugby ball, the result of the erosive effects of the sea. Before coming to the beautiful beach of Algaiarens, you can also make a stop at the beach of Es Bot, behind which there is a wetland with small turtles.
Punta Nati - Ciutadella (10.5 km, stage 10)
This section will introduce you to what is known as the dry Menorca. It is in fact completely dry, mostly rocky (except for some plant caper, -camomilla- santolina and rosemary), but rather flat. The points of interest include the Lighthouse of Punta Nati, one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset, and the Pont d'en Gil, a natural rock bridge, near which is an underwater cave 300 meters deep, well known among lovers of scuba-diving.
Near the lighthouse you will see many examples of paret seca (stone walls without cement, bounding the land) and ponts de Bestiar, shelters for farm animals.
Cap d'Artrutx - Cala Turqueta (13.3 km, stage 12)
One of the best stages of the south coast is here: walking in this direction you will see how the arid landscape acquires vegetation. You will have the chance to see some of the most beautiful virgin beaches of Menorca, especially those of Son Saura, Es Talaier and Turqueta. You will also enjoy a panoramic view (sky permitting) of the coast south to Son Bou and Punta Prima.
Cala Turqueta - Cala Galdana (6.4 km, stage 13)
This is one of my favorite routes of the south coast, as it is mostly in the shade, allowing you to walk safely even in summer, and from which you can reach postcard-style beaches (Macarella and Macarelleta) without the worry of finding parking (which in August may be a nightmare). If you do not feel like a day at the beach, you can visit the Barranco of Algendar, one of the largest ravines on the island where you might have the chance to see newborn lambs or wild horses.
Cala Galdana - Santo Tomas (10.8 km, stage 14)
This is the area really known for its ravines (valleys carved by rivers) and largely wooded areas. This, too, is somewhere you must visit if seeking virgin beaches and bright Caribbean colors: Cala Mitjana and the adjacent Mitjaneta, Trebaluger, Fustam and Escorxada are obligatory stops, but you can branch away from the Camí de Cavalls and instead take the coastal path from Cala Mitjana. Binigaus, long and narrow, is the only beach where dogs are allowed during the tourist season, and is one of the few that typically always has a piece of vacant sand during peak hours. The ravine of Binigaus is home to 3 of the 4 most picturesque caves, the most famous being the Cave of the Doves, known for its immense size.
We hope you enjoyed our article on the Camí de Cavalls, and that you get to experience at least part of it next time you are on the island of Menorca!