A high speed ferry from Alcudia Port to Ciutadella in the north of Menorca and then a bus ride across the island and we were in Mahón (Maó in Catalan).
We came from Alcudia Port to Ciutadella on the high speed ferry Balearia Jaume iii
Our first impression of Menorca was of the whitewashed buildings in contrast to the honey-coloured stone of Mallorca. Menorca had a very early prehistoric human presence and has been occupied by all the Mediterranean civilisations. The British, French and Spanish fought over and occupied the Island in the 18th century.
Mahón seafrontChurch of Carmen construction began in 1726 amid bitter conflict between Carmelite and Franciscan friarsChurch of Santa María built 1771 on top of another 14th century Gothic church Mahón City Council, alterations carried out in the late 18th centuryDuring Menorca’s British rule, 1708 – 1802, Georgian architectural styles were introducedMuseum of Menorca former 15th century Franciscan convent of Jesús
Camí de Cavalls
The Camí de Cavalls is an ancient 185 km long path that circles the island of Menorca. Built in order to connect the watchtowers and fortresses along the coast, it was patrolled by soldiers mounted on horses, cavalls (“horses” in Catalan) so Horse Path. The northern part is different to the southern: more remote with no stage end accommodation so tranfers required to/from each day. This blog is from Maó to Ciutadella, Sections 1 to 10.
Our first day of Sections 1 & 2 of the Cami de Cavalls started with a stroll through the historic center of Maó and then along the coast on a beautiful day. By early afternoon the rain had set in, it rains a lot in this part of Menorca. We were transferred back to Maó for the night.
Sa Mesquida villageSa Mesquida wetlandsTower of Sa Mesquida, English coastal defense tower of 1799 with slots for riflemen to repel attackers from the land and seaFirst of 2353 Trail MarkersCami de Cavalls wooden gates – there are about 200, all the same design, self closing and latchingMacar de Binillautí is a small cove of pebble stonesSocarrells, native plants that look like hedgehogsFishing boat at Es Grau villageRain is coming!Wooden guard rails in the same style as the gatesFavàritx lighthouse entered service in 1922The Cos des Síndic below the lighthouse is a temporary Mediterranean pond fed by both rainwater and seawater, resulting in brackish water that is inhabited by algae and microscopic aquatic animal species that are unique on the islandWaiting in the rain for our pickup
After transferring back to where we finished yesterday, Stages 3 & 4 were flatter, easier walking more inland than coastal.
Pou d’en Caldes covePam going around the cows resting on the pathArenal d’en Castell, a popular tourist beachA great time of year with a path through the flowers
The forecast was for rain all day but it never happened. We were so glad as Stage 6 is the hardest of the Camí Cavalls with steep climbs and steeper rocky descents. So a very nice day walking on the cliffs above the sea, did I mention it was hard? Transferred to Ferreries (pop 4,900) for the night.
Lluriac Nou wetlandsCape Cavalleria Lighthouse inaugurated 1857 More than seven hundred shipwrecks had occurred in this coastal area since the 14th centuryHikers on the path Sanitja Tower, British coastal defence tower from the late 18th centuryGates made of wild olive tree wood give the Menorcan trails a unique personalityCavalleria Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the islandCala Rotja (Red Beach) due to the red clayA beautiful coastal pathWildflowers are blooming Pregonda Beach with fine reddish sand and crystal clear waterEndemic Socarrells bloom during the spring, dyeing the landscape in yellowHoneycomb weathering in the red rockHigh cliffs protect Calderer Cove We had to cross that hill behind
Perfect weather today, 17-22℃ with a cool sea breeze. After a transfer from Ferreries back to Camí des Alocs we walked along the coast for about 5 km before heading inland through fields of flowers.
Ferreries, most of the buildings in Menorca are whitewashed Dels Alocs Beach – the boat shed is built to withstand the wind and wavesLow bushes shaped by the Tramuntana (north) windCala Pilar – sharp contrast with the terracotta red of the rocks, the yellow sands and the blue water on the rugged northern coast of MenorcaFlowers in the RocksWild goatThe path goes away from the coast through forestParedadors build the walls with the two visible sides of large, unhewn stones. The interior is filled with smaller stones that allows air and water to pass through without destabilising itFont de Sa TeulaFields of flowersFontanelles Cove, fisherman’s cottageCala Morell is located in a striking setting surrounded by high cliffsThe necropolis at Cala Morell During late prehistoric times in Menorca, people buried their dead in manmade cavesThe oldest caves date from about 3,000 years ago
We enjoyed the walk on Sections 9 & 10. This dry part of Menorca is quite different.
This is the “dry Menorca” with no shade and rough coral rock underfoot but there’s flowers bloomingDry stone barraca built in the 19th century to protect livestock in bad weather is still in useThere’s thousands of kilometres of 19th century dry stone walls and zero modern fencingSelf latching wooden gateWell with troughs provided water for the sheepThere are hundreds of barracas suggesting the land was intensively used for sheep raisingThe walls are supposed to keep the sheep in!Punta Nati Lighthouse, built 1912: The sea currents are strong and the area is buffeted by the northern Tramontana windsLooking back we can see flat and barren landBajolí watchtower built in the 16th century to warn of the arrival of enemy shipsPont d’en Gil natural bridgeCiutadella Lighthouse, first lit 1863 still in useCastell de Sant Nicolau, a watchtower and defense tower located at the mouth of the Port of Ciutadella, built 1680
