Hiking along the north coast of Minorca

Day 1: Favàritx - Arenal d'en Castell

Your trip along the north coast of Minorca starts at the iconic Favàritx lighthouse, with its distinctive black and white tower overlooking an almost lunar landscape. This is the perfect starting point to explore one of the wildest and most unspoilt areas of the island. 13.5 kilometres of pure adventure await you, where sea and land merge in a natural spectacle that is especially captivating in winter.

The path winds through rough and rocky terrain, where the wind and the sea will accompany you throughout the trip. This section of the Camí de Cavalls takes you to discover a solitary and silent Minorca, where each step takes you away from the hustle and bustle and brings you closer to the wild essence of the island.

As you go on, you will reach Na Macaret, a small picturesque coastal village with a special charm outside the high season. Here, the white houses and little boats in the harbour add a touch of serenity to your walk. This is a good place to stop, contemplate the horizon and enjoy the sound of the sea.

The next highlight is the Port of Addaia, a natural harbour that is surprisingly calm and beautiful. Surrounded by green hills and dotted with boats, this harbour is an idyllic spot where nature and stillness merge. In winter, this place is a peaceful haven, far from the hustle and bustle of tourism.

Finally, you will reach Arenal d'en Castell, a wide bay of golden sand that will welcome you with its winter stillness. The contrast between the fine sand and the calm waters of the Mediterranean invites you to relax and enjoy the moment. Here, after a day of discoveries, you can rest and regain strength to continue exploring the secrets of the north coast of Minorca in the days to come.

Day 2: Arenal d'en Castell - Cala Tirant

Today, 11 kilometres of natural wonders await you as you walk along a particularly easy stretch of the Camí de Cavalls. It begins by crossing the Son Parc housing estate, where Minorca's only golf course is located. From there, head towards the Arenal de Son Saura, also known as Arenal de s'Olla or Son Saura del Nord to differentiate it from the beach of the same name in Ciutadella.

Arenal de Son Saura is a beach of breathtaking beauty, with white sand and crystal clear waters stretching along a wide strip. There you can admire the dune system, a natural wonder with dunes that reach more than 10 metres high. It is a perfect place to stop and take in the scenery before continuing on your way.

The next stage of your route will take you through the largest estate on the island, the Albufera des Comte, with 1,200 hectares of natural wealth. This forest is dotted with holm oaks, Aleppo pines, white heather and strawberry trees, creating a varied and fascinating environment. The diversity of tree and shrub species also translates into a large number of mushrooms, making this stretch a rich and varied botanical experience.

After crossing the forest, you will reach the bay of Fornells and its charming fishing village. Although you will have to go a little out of your way to explore Fornells, it is well worth the effort. This picturesque village has its origins in the castle of Sant Antoni de Fornells (1637-1677), built to protect the bay from the looting that was frequent at the time. Although the castle is no longer in use, the village that grew around it has survived, offering a charming fishing and seafaring atmosphere.

From Fornells, continue to Cala Tirant, an extensive sandy beach with turquoise waters and fine sand that will welcome you with its splendid landscape. The beach is backed by an important dune system that extends more than 2 kilometres inland. At one end of the beach, you will find the Playas de Fornells housing development, and at the other end, a small wetland area formed by a stream.

Day 3: Cala Tirant - Binimel·là

This medium-low difficulty section takes you 9.5 kilometres through one of Minorca's most pristine and valuable environments. As you enter this stage, you will find yourself in one of the best-preserved areas of the island's coastline, where nature is at its wildest and most unspoilt.

The geological richness of this stretch is geologically impressive. Around Cala Tirant, you will have the opportunity to contemplate the oldest rocks in Minorca. The Punta de sa Talaieta and Pedregal Gran exhibit layers from the Lower Devonian period, dating from 400 million years ago. It is a trip back in time through rock formations that have withstood the test of centuries.

Along the way, opportunities will open up for you that are hard to ignore. One example is to explore the archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Sanisera, located in the port of Sanitja, near the Cavalleria lighthouse. And for the full experience, visit the Cavalleria lighthouse. From its cliffs that are more than 80 metres high, you will have an unequalled and captivating panoramic view of the north coast of Minorca.

During this route, you will be especially aware of the harshness and roughness characteristic of the Tramuntana coastline. However, despite what looks like a desert of rocks and stones, plants adapted to these extreme conditions flourish there. Socarrells, for example, are local shrubs that emerge like green bubbles from the red earth, showing their incredible adaptation to the north wind and harsh environmental conditions.

The route will take you along the beaches of Cavalleria and Cala Mica, before reaching Binimel·là. Each of these beaches has unique dune systems that are home to rich plant communities. This stretch is also a birdwatcher's paradise, as this area is home to many of the island's breeding species, including the majestic osprey.

Day 4: Binimel·là - Els Alocs

Get ready for a day full of contrasts and breathtaking landscapes in this stage of almost 9 kilometres that challenges both your body and your senses. With a medium-high level of difficulty, this route is characterised by steep ravines and sheer walls, which have given rise to a natural landscape of unique and dramatic beauty.

Along the route, you will be surrounded by the Northern Marine Reserve of Minorca, a protected area created to preserve marine biodiversity and encourage the natural regeneration of ecosystems.

The section begins with the spectacular Cala Pregonda, famous for its volcanic rock formations that create a fascinating contrast with the golden sand and turquoise waters. Imagine a corner of Minorca that looks like something out of an impressionist painting, where the islets of yellow volcanic rock protect the beach from the north winds, creating a dreamlike setting that invites you to enjoy the privilege of being part of this painting.

Then you will discover Cala Barril, an oasis of tranquillity. With its cove made of dark sand and pebbles, this small beach, surrounded by rocky hills, is the perfect place to enjoy the solitude and observe the Bledes Islands. This area is a bird sanctuary, which makes Cala Barril an excellent spot for birdwatchers.

Continue your way to Cala en Calderer, an intimate beach flanked by a dune system that stretches southwards. There, Minorca's geological history is revealed in the rocky walls that frame the beach, showing the highest sea level thousands of years ago. Over a bed of dark ancient rocks, the lighter calcarenites stand out, offering a natural lesson in the island's geological history.

The final stretch will take you to Els Alocs, after an exciting route through ravines, forests and reddish rocks. This last stretch rewards you with a serene view and a peaceful atmosphere, the perfect end to a day of exploration.

Day 5: Els Alocs - Algaiarens

Today, the trail will take you from the pebble beach of Els Alocs to the impressive coves of Cala del Pilar and Alfurí, areas where Minorca's endemic flora predominates all along the way.

Start at Cala Pilar, a virgin jewel that is difficult to access and offers a spectacular natural setting. Its reddish and golden sand, combined with the intense blue of the waters and the contrast of the clayey rocks, will immerse you in one of the most emblematic landscapes of the north coast of Minorca. Cala Pilar also has a dune system and a forest at the back, all located in the "Alfurí de Dalt" estate, a place with a rich natural and ethnological heritage.

Continue towards Cala en Carbó, a cove of reddish pebbles that defies easy access, but offers a landscape of unequalled beauty. As you follow the trail, you will enter large tracts of forest and see a variety of native bushes. There, the old wells and huts will tell you about Minorca's agricultural tradition, centred on the production of dry fodder for livestock, a vital source of milk and cheese for the local farms (llocs).

Further on, the path enters the dune landscape, finally leading you to the cove of Algaiarens, named after the historical agricultural estate in the area, which has been in operation since the Muslim period (903-1287).

The end of your day will take you to the beaches of Algaiarens, also known as the beaches of La Vall. This set of two unspoilt beaches, Es Bot and Es Tancats, will seduce you with their white sand and crystal-clear waters, located in an area declared a Natural Area of Special Interest. The back of the beaches is home to a dune system and a small wetland area, creating an incomparable natural environment that invites contemplation.

Day 6: Algaiarens - Punta Nati

A unique stage awaits you today, marked by intense natural contrasts and a surprising transition in the landscape. Along this route of approximately 11 kilometres, you will experience the transition from the lush vegetation of the Vall d'Algaiarens to the austere and dry beauty of the most arid Minorca.

Start in the Vall d'Algaiarens, which gradually gives way to a more arid landscape as you approach the picturesque Cala de Ses Fontanelles. There, the environment changes drastically, revealing a lower type of flora adapted to the harsh conditions of the Mediterranean climate. The Curniola marina, a limestone platform, is particularly rich in endemic species, such as mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) and juniper (Juniperus phoenicea). Don't miss the chance to see the fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), a small palm tree with fan-shaped leaves that adorns this arid landscape.

The path will take you through less dense vegetation, where rosemary and heather become more common, and Minorcan chamomile (Santonina chamaecyparissus subs. magonica), known for its medicinal properties, adds an aromatic touch to the air.

You will reach Cala Morell, a cove of great historical and geological interest. The cliffs of Cala Morell are home to an important Talayotic necropolis, with hypogeum (caves excavated in the rock) and a coastal settlement from the Bronze Age. Moreover, this is where the two great geological units of Minorca meet, the Migjorn and Tramontana areas, which makes Cala Morell a place of great geological value.

As you advance, the landscape becomes more arid and exposed to the strong north wind, revealing a flat orography with few elevations, with the exception of the Cala Morell ravine. Vegetation is transformed into herbaceous plants that replace shrubs, adapting to the extreme conditions of the terrain.

Finally, you will reach Punta Nati, an emblematic place for its historic lighthouse, built in the last century to prevent shipwrecks caused by intense storms. From this point, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the sea and the coastal landscape.

Throughout the route, the landscape is dotted with traditional Minorcan countryside constructions, such as ses barraques and es ponts de bens, used to shelter livestock from inclement weather. This stretch of the Camí de Cavalls offers an authentic and varied experience, capturing the deepest essence of the north coast of Minorca.

At the end of these six days along the north coast of Minorca, you will have experienced a palette of landscapes that combine natural majesty with the serenity of winter. From pristine beaches to towering cliffs, each stage of the Camí de Cavalls reveals the authentic essence of the island. Minorca, in its winter calm, offers a unique hiking experience, full of beauty and peace. We hope you have enjoyed every corner of this Mediterranean gem and will take unforgettable memories home with you. See you next time!