Walking in Menorca: top walks for every experience level

While the high season for holidays to Menorca is undoubtedly summer, if you're interested in walking in Menorca spring is the ideal time to go.

This is when most of the 900 species of native plant life burst into bloom as well as being the height of the season for the migratory birds, which flock to the island.

Walking in Menorca, wild flowers in the spring
Walking in Menorca, wild flowers in the spring © Paul Seligman - Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

When it comes to picking the perfect hiking route in Menorca, there are a variety of factors to consider, from your own fitness level and that of the rest of your group to the type of terrain you want to cover, the sights you'd like to see along the way and, of course, where on the island you plan to stay.

As with all walking holidays it's important not to overestimate what you can take on - this is a holiday after all - and to make sure you have the right walking boots and other equipment with you.

Bringing a hat and a light rain jacket - and perhaps a swimming costume and towel - as well as supplies of sunscreen, food and water will ensure that you enjoy your walks in complete safety and comfort.

Browse our handpicked selection of five fantastic walks ranging from easy to advanced, enabling you to simply dip your toe into walking in Menorca with an hour-long route or commit yourself to a three-week long hiking holiday on the island.

Beginners: Sant Climent to Son Vitamina

  • Area: southeast, near the international airport
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Length: 5 km
  • Level: easy

This pleasant and straightforward westward walk between the town of Sant Climent and the village of Son Vitamina takes in snapshots of the traditional Menorcan landscape, and the entire route is on quiet country lanes.

Country lane on a fine April day in Menorca
Country lane on a fine April day in Menorca © Martin Varsavsky - Flickr Creative Commons

Along the way you will see some traditional old agricultural buildings, as well as rustic Menorcan houses. The terrain underfoot varies from a paved lane to a slightly rockier cobbled road but remains easy to traverse.

Beginners: Ets Alocs to the foot of Mount Mala

  • Area: northwest, between Cala Pilar and Cala en Calderer
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Length: 6 km
  • Level: easy

At around 6 km, and taking in beaches and gentle coastline paths, this is a delightful walk from the natural cove at Ets Alocs (aloc meaning 'willow tree' in native Menorcan) across to the foot of the 200-metre high Muntanya Mala that lies at the other side of the bay.

Ets Aloc is popular with hikers as the beach isn't suitable for swimming and sunbathing, and has no leisure facilities - though one of the highlights of your walk will be stopping for a bite to eat at the wide and sandy beach at Cala Pilar.

Cala Pilar on the north coast
Cala Pilar on the north coast - photo courtesy of Menorca Tourism Promotion Foundation

To extend your route, you can also take a side trip to Mount Santa Agueda, where you can find the ruins of an old fort that was once part of the island's coastal defences.

Intermediates: Punta Nati to Cala Morell

  • Area: northwest, between Cala Pilar and Cala en Calderer
  • Duration: 3 to 4 hours
  • Length: 7 km
  • Level: intermediate

This route can be done either as a half day hike or a full day out if you're parked at Punta Nati and need double back to return to your vehicle.

If so, time your arrival at Punta Nati with the sunset; this is the site of one of Menorca's most famous lighthouses which, at 42 metres above sea level, makes a perfect spot for seeing the sunset over the northern coast.

Cliffs along the north coast near Cala Morell
Cliffs along the north coast near Cala Morell © Gorka Valencia - Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

While the terrain is rocky and includes some cliff top sections, the path itself affords stunning views from this arid area of the island across the Mediterranean Sea.

The beautiful cove of Cala Pous and the tiny rocky beach at Cala Morts - named to commemorate the poignant history of shipwrecks prior to the lighthouse's construction - are among the highlights along the way.

Pros: Binimel to El Pilar

  • Area: central northern coast
  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Length: 9 km
  • Level: difficult

This is one of the most challenging sections of the Cami de Cavalls (the route that takes you on foot around the island of Menorca) and can be walked as a single-day trail. When it comes to the natural scenic surroundings, it is one of the best possible walking routes Menorca has to offer.

Approaching Cala Pregonda, Menorca
Approaching Cala Pregonda, Menorca © Seruba - Wikimedia CC BY-SA 3.0

You'll face quite a bit of up and down terrain as you clamber to the top of the coastal cliffs, and you may meet some mountain goats, but it's well worth the effort for the superb views once you get there.

It is also worth giving yourself an extra hour to spend at the pretty beach of Cala Pregonda, which is one of the finest on the island.

For all: Cami de Cavalls

  • Area: entire island
  • Duration: up to 20 days
  • Length: 179 km
  • Level: easy / intermediate / difficult

This is the ultimate experience for those interested in walking in Menorca: a coastal path that takes the visitor around the entire island, revealing some secluded beaches and charming little villages along the way.

Cami de Cavalls on the northwest of the island
Cami de Cavalls on the northwest of the island © Ramón Fritz - Fundació Destí Menorca

The Cami de Cavalls is based on a route that has existed for nearly eight centuries, historically used to keep the military updated on any potential threat around the coast, this wonderful circuit can broadly be divided into 20 stages.

While the initial idea of a 20-day walk may seem overwhelming and intimidating, once you discover that most sections are rated as either easy or intermediate (with only two difficult days amongst them) the idea of tackling the ultimate hiking trail is within reach for most keen walkers.

Walking in Menorca can be a wonderful holiday in its own right or simply a great way to mix up your activities and get off the sun lounger during your trip to the island. Whether you take on an easy and relaxing hour-long stroll between villages, circumnavigate the entire island on foot or even find your way to Menorca's highest point, El Toro, bring your camera as well as your walking shoes to capture those memories of your time walking in Menorca.

Tempted to go walking in Menorca? Book with Jet2holidays for departure points across the England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and On the Beach for great value offers.

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Jaillan Yehia

Jaillan Yehia

Article updated on Monday 14th June 2021 in: Adventure Europe Excursions Nature

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