Best walks in Menorca
With hidden coves, miles of beach and dramatic cliffs Menorca is a stunning island to explore by foot. Here’s our essential guide to the best walks in Menorca (broken down into short, medium and long walks):
Short Walks in Menorca
Coastal Walk – 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 doable for young and old. There is also a beach bar at the western end of the beach – a welcome sight on a hot day.
Coastal Walk – 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 might just spot a few naturalists bathing.
Coastal Walk – 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 – 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.
Mid length walks in Menorca
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 – 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.
Walk – The Port of Maó to Cala Sant Esteve (Approx 4km)
The walk begins at the docks in the port of Maó and follows the coastline to Cala Figuera, continuing on to the village of Castell, where Cala Corb is located.
Long walks in Menorca
Countryside Walk – Ciutadella (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 6km road sign. Turn left just before the 7km 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.
Coastal Walk – 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 – 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.
Coastal Walk – 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.