The Camí de Cavalls, Menorca: A Complete Guide to the 185 km Trail That Circles the Island

Most islands have a coastal path. Menorca has something far more extraordinary: a 185 km trail that has encircled the entire island since the 14th century, threading together every hidden cove, every clifftop, every lighthouse, and every ecosystem the Mediterranean has to offer. The Camí de Cavalls — the "Way of Horses" — is not just a hiking trail. It's the backbone of Menorca itself.

Whether you're planning to walk the full loop over a week, tackle individual stages as day hikes from your holiday base, or simply use it to access one of the island's legendary beaches, this guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is the Camí de Cavalls?

The Camí de Cavalls (GR-223) is a long-distance coastal trail that completely encircles the island of Menorca, covering 185 km divided into 20 official stages. The route follows the coastline as closely as possible, passing through an astonishing variety of landscapes: pine forests, wetlands, red-clay cliffs, white limestone ravines, dune systems, pastoral farmland, and over 50 beaches and coves.

The trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders. It is entirely free to use, well signposted with the standard GR red-and-white markers (placed every 100–150 metres), and accessible year-round. It is closed to motorised vehicles.

In 2010, the full trail was officially reopened to the public after years of restoration work, and it now forms part of the European network of long-distance footpaths. Walking the complete Camí de Cavalls is one of the finest coastal treks in the Mediterranean — a quiet, sun-soaked alternative to the more famous Camino de Santiago or the Lycian Way.

The History: Knights, Pirates, and a Popular Revolt

The trail's origins stretch back to 1330, when King James II of Aragon ordered all landowners on Menorca to maintain an armed horse and patrol the coastline to defend the island against pirate raids. The resulting path — literally the "road of the horses" — became a strategic military route, later used by British and French forces during their respective periods of control over Menorca in the 18th century.

Over the following centuries, the Camí also served as a public right-of-way connecting remote coastal communities and farms. But by the late 20th century, much of the path had fallen into disrepair, with sections blocked or privatised.

In 1996, a grassroots campaign — the Coordinadora per la Defensa del Camí de Cavalls — successfully pushed for the trail's legal protection and restoration. Law 13/2000 formally established the Camí de Cavalls as a public pathway, and a decade of restoration work followed. By 2010, the full 185 km circuit was once again walkable from end to end.

Today, the trail is one of Menorca's most treasured cultural and natural assets — as important to the island's identity as its beaches or its prehistoric monuments.

The 20 Stages at a Glance

The official route runs anti-clockwise from Maó (Mahón), first heading up the north coast to Ciutadella, then returning along the south coast. You can start anywhere, walk in either direction, and tackle as many or as few stages as you like.

North coast (Stages 1–10): Maó to Ciutadella

South coast (Stages 11–20): Ciutadella to Maó

The north coast is generally wilder, more rugged, and more demanding — with rockier terrain, more elevation, and fewer services. Stage 6 (Binimel·là to Els Alocs) is considered the most difficult and spectacular of the entire route.

The south coast is gentler, greener, and more sheltered, with more towns and services along the way. This is where the famous white-sand coves are concentrated — Turqueta, Macarella, Mitjana, and many others.

North vs South: Two Very Different Experiences

Walking the Camí de Cavalls is like walking through two entirely separate islands.

The north coast is Menorca at its wildest. The landscape is wind-blasted and rugged, shaped by the Tramontana. Expect red-clay cliffs, rocky headlands, sparse scrubland, remote farmland criss-crossed by dry-stone walls, and beaches with golden or red sand. Accommodation and services are limited. The terrain is rougher underfoot, with more elevation change. But the sense of solitude and raw natural beauty is extraordinary. Highlights include the Favàritx lighthouse, Cala Pregonda, Cala Pilar, S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, and the dramatic cliff scenery around Punta Nati.

The south coast is more classically Mediterranean. Think sheltered limestone coves, bright-white sand, turquoise water, dense pine forest, and the occasional resort town where you can stop for lunch. The walking is easier and the stages are generally flatter. This is the "postcard" half of the trail and the one most popular with casual day-hikers. Highlights include Cala Turqueta, Cala Macarella and Macarelleta, Cala Mitjana, the Barranc de Trebalúger, and the vast beach of Son Bou.

For a complete experience, walking both halves reveals the full character of the island. If you can only do one, the north is the more adventurous choice, while the south is the more accessible and scenic.

How Long Does It Take?

The answer depends entirely on your style.

Full circuit at a comfortable hiking pace: 8–10 days, averaging 18–23 km per day. This allows time for swimming stops, photography, and leisurely lunches.

Full circuit at a faster pace: 6–7 days, for fit hikers comfortable with 25–30 km days.

Trail runners: The entire loop can be run in 3–4 days (or far less — the Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls ultramarathon race covers the full 185 km in a single push, with elite times under 17 hours).

Day hikers: Individual stages range from 5.4 km to 13.6 km and can be walked as standalone half-day or full-day outings. Many visitors pick 2–3 favourite stages during a week-long holiday.

The leisurely approach: Use the Camí to connect beaches over a morning, then spend the afternoon swimming. You don't need to walk entire stages — even a 30-minute section from Cala Galdana to Cala Macarella is a world-class experience.

The Best Stages for Day Hikers

If you're not walking the full loop, these are the sections that deliver the most spectacular reward for the least effort.

Stage 13: Cala Turqueta – Cala Galdana (6.4 km, easy). The classic south-coast beach walk. You'll pass through Cala Macarella, Cala Macarelleta, and Cala Mitjana — arguably the three most famous beaches in Menorca — all connected by a stunning cliff-top trail through pine forest.

Stage 6: Binimel·là – Els Alocs (8.9 km, difficult). The wildest stage on the trail. Passes through Cala Pregonda with its extraordinary red landscape and offshore islets. Demanding terrain but unforgettable scenery.

Stage 7: Els Alocs – Algaiarens (9.7 km, moderate). Takes in Cala Pilar, one of the north coast's most dramatic red-sand beaches, with dense forest, endemic flora, and stunning viewpoints.

Stages 1–2: Maó – Es Grau – Favàritx (18.6 km combined, moderate). Explores S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, Menorca's most important wetland, ending at the iconic black-slate lighthouse of Favàritx.

Stage 14: Cala Galdana – Sant Tomàs (10.8 km, moderate). Passes the hidden gem of Cala Trebalúger (one of the island's most remote and beautiful south-coast beaches) and the vast Binigaus beach.

When to Walk

Best months: April, May, September, October. Temperatures are pleasant (15–25°C), the trails are quieter, accommodation is cheaper, and the light is beautiful for photography. Water temperatures are comfortable for swimming from May onwards.

June and early July are also excellent — warmer, but not yet at peak tourist levels.

July and August are hot (30°C+), the beaches are crowded, and long-distance walking in the exposed north-coast sections becomes genuinely tough. Stick to short, early-morning stages or the more shaded south-coast sections.

November through March can be lovely for walking (cool, quiet, dramatic light), but some services close, accommodation options shrink, and the Tramontana wind can make north-coast stages unpleasant. Swimming is for the hardy.

Accommodation and Logistics

Here's the main challenge of the Camí de Cavalls: there are no hiker huts, refuges, or dedicated trekker accommodation along the route. You must use the existing tourist infrastructure — hotels, guesthouses, agroturismos (rural farmstays), and rental apartments in the towns and resorts along the coast.

This is straightforward on the south coast, where resort towns like Cala Galdana, Son Bou, and Cala en Porter offer plenty of options. On the north coast, accommodation is much more sparse — you may need to arrange taxi transfers to and from inland towns like Es Mercadal or Ferreries.

Key logistics tips:

• Menorca is small. A taxi from almost anywhere to a trailhead costs around €15–20.
• Several companies (notably 40 Nord Outdoor / Camí de Cavalls 360°) offer self-guided packages that handle luggage transfers, accommodation bookings, and transport logistics for the entire route.
• If walking independently, plan your overnight stops in advance, especially in the north where options are limited.
• Bus connections are available to many south-coast starting points (Cala Galdana, Son Bou, Cala en Porter) from Mahón and Ciutadella.

Wild Camping and Bivouacking

Wild camping is illegal in Menorca. You cannot pitch a tent on the trail or on the beaches. However, Menorcan law does allow bivouacking — sleeping under the stars or in a bivvy bag with no tent — on remote beaches, provided you light no fires and pack up before 6:00 AM.

In practice, some thru-hikers do sleep on deserted beaches overnight, especially on the more remote north-coast sections. But this is very much a grey area, and you should be fully self-sufficient and leave absolutely no trace.

There are no dedicated campsites on or near the Camí de Cavalls route.

What to Bring

For day hikes, the essentials are simple: sturdy footwear (the terrain is rocky throughout), sunscreen, a hat, at least 1.5 litres of water per person, snacks, and a swimsuit. Many stages pass beaches with no facilities, so carry everything you need.

For multi-day thru-hikes, add: a GPS device or downloaded GPX tracks (though the signposting is excellent), a basic first-aid kit, a headlamp, rain protection (especially spring/autumn), a reusable water bottle (refill points are rare on the north coast), and enough cash for beach-bar stops and rural restaurants.

The trail never exceeds about 135 metres in altitude, but the cumulative elevation gain over the full loop is approximately 4,000 metres, so fitness and proper footwear matter.

Trail Etiquette and Rules

The Camí de Cavalls passes through protected natural areas, farmland, and private estates with public right-of-way. A few rules keep it working for everyone.

• Always close the gates behind you. The distinctive wooden "Menorcan gates" (barreres) along the trail keep livestock in their fields. Leaving one open can cause real problems for farmers.
• Stay on the marked path. Many sections cross private land. Respect the boundaries.
• Take all rubbish with you. There are no bins on the trail between towns.
• No fires. Menorca is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and fire risk is serious, especially in summer.
• Respect other users. Hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders share the trail.
• Don't disturb the clay cliffs. On the north coast, the temptation to play in the red clay is real — but it erodes fragile, ancient geological formations.

The Trail Menorca Ultramarathon

For the competitive-minded: the Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls (TMCdC) is an annual ultramarathon held on the trail, with distances from 27 km up to the full 185 km non-stop loop. The race is a qualifying event for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) and has grown into one of the most celebrated trail-running events in southern Europe. Elite runners complete the full loop in under 17 hours. The event typically takes place in May.

Practical Tips

1. You don't need to walk the whole thing. Even a single stage — or a 30-minute section connecting two beaches — captures the magic of the Camí.
2. Pick up the free paper map at Mahón airport or the tourist office. It's colour-coded by difficulty and has excellent stage summaries.
3. Walk anti-clockwise (west). The official direction keeps the morning sun behind you rather than in your eyes.
4. GPX tracks are available from the official Camí de Cavalls website, but the trail is well-marked enough that most hikers don't need them.
5. Combine walking and swimming. The trail passes over 50 beaches. A morning hike finishing at a cove, followed by a swim and a long lunch, is the Menorcan way.
6. Book accommodation early for north-coast stages in peak season — options are limited.
7. Carry more water than you think. Refill points between towns can be 10+ km apart on the north coast.
8. Use the post markers in emergencies. Every wooden signpost has two numbers — the top number is the stage, the bottom number is the remaining posts to the next stage. This can pinpoint your location for rescue services.

Quick Reference

The Camí de Cavalls is not the highest trail, or the longest, or the most technically demanding. What it is, arguably, is the most beautiful coastal walk in the Mediterranean — 185 km of wild cliffs, hidden coves, pine-scented forest, ancient history, and water so blue it barely looks real. You can walk it all in a week, or just use it to reach your next swim. Either way, it's the thread that ties the whole island together — and the reason so many visitors to Menorca come home planning their return.