Cami de Cavalls Hike

The Cami de Cavalls, the Horse Path, is a historic track that circles Menorca. It was used for centuries to patrol the coast and move troops, riders and messengers between watchtowers, and in modern times it has been restored as a long-distance walking route of roughly 185 kilometres. The path is divided into numbered stages, most between about 10 and 20 kilometres long, and it passes through almost every landscape on the island. Along the way, you walk through pine woods, salt marshes, open farmland with dry-stone walls, cliff tops, empty beaches and small fishing villages. The north coast stages are wilder and more exposed, with red earth, scrub and sweeping views. The south coast stages are gentler, passing white-sand coves and turquoise water. Because the trail follows the shoreline, you are never far from a place to swim. Guided day hikes are available on selected stages. One that starts at Cala Tirant on the north coast and continues toward Benimel la gives you a taste of the northern landscape, with a private guide who can explain the geology, the plants and the history. A guide also takes care of logistics, such as getting you back to the start, and can adjust the pace to your group.

The surface varies. In some sections the path is a wide track suitable for walkers and even cyclists; in others it narrows to a rocky footpath, and a few stretches cross beaches or dry-stone walls with gates that you must close behind you. Waymarking is generally good, with signs and markers at junctions, but a map or app is sensible. Shade is limited, so carry plenty of water, a hat and sun cream, and wear sturdy shoes.

The best seasons for walking are spring and autumn. Spring brings wildflowers and mild temperatures, and autumn offers warm sea and fewer people. Summer walking is possible but should be done early in the morning or late in the evening, and heat can be punishing. In winter, many services close, and the north can be windy and wet, but the paths are quiet.

The Cami de Cavalls is also a good way to reach beaches that have no road access. Several of the island's finest coves, including those around Cala Macarella on the south coast and the red-sand bays of the north, can be reached only on foot or by boat. A short section of the trail can be combined with a swim, which makes for an excellent half-day outing.

If you want to walk without a guide, the island's tourism and local authorities maintain information about the route and stage descriptions. Check the current state of the path before you go, as sections occasionally close for maintenance or fire risk in summer. Respect the land: keep to the path, close gates, take rubbish with you, and leave plants and stones in place.

A typical guided outing lasts a few hours and includes stops for photos and a swim. For ambitious walkers, tackling several stages over a week is a wonderful way to see the island at its own pace, with accommodation in villages along the way. Luggage transfer services exist for those who prefer to carry only a daypack.

Whether you walk a single section or several, the trail captures what makes Menorca special: a landscape shaped by human use over thousands of years, with a coastline that is still remarkably wild.