Menorca (Balearic Islands)

6 sePtembEr: DEPARTURE TO Minorca

Meeting at Milan Airport (or other), check-in formalities and arrival in Mahon (Menorca). Transfer by private bus to Ciutadella, the second most important town on the island, nestled on the sea. Accommodation in a family-run hotel in the old town. Dinner in a restaurant and overnight stay.

7 september: Mahon feast!

Today is an important day for the whole island, a huge community party: the Horse Festival of Minorca! We also participate in this event that is held in the city of Mahon, and which concludes the summer cycle of horse parties. A feast that goes back to the 14th century and celebrates these wonderful horses. An exciting party attended by all the Menorcans, and we will be part of it all. Free dinner.

8 september: Alaior – Cala en Porter

Breakfast. We move to Alaior, a magnificent town located in the interior of the island and outside the tourist destinations, where we start to understand its habits by drinking a coffee in the square accompanied by an Ensaimada, the typical Balearic dessert. We begin to walk towards the sea until we reach the Talaiotic site named “Torre d’En Galmes“. Finally we arrive at Cala en Porter following a path along a baranco. Possibility of taking a well-deserved bath at the end of the trek. Return to Ciutadela and dinner in a restaurant.
11km, 4hr walking time, height difference up/down +145/-252m.

9 september: San Tomas – Cala Galdana

Breakfast. Bus transfer to San Tomas. We walk across one of the most beautiful stretches of the southern coast of the island. We will see white beaches bathed by crystal clear waters and we will stop in some of these oases, such as Cala Mitjana and Cala en Turqueta for a sunbath. Along the way, in addition to exotic scenery, the Mediterranean scrub with its essences is the absolute protagonist, together with olive groves and cultivated fields. At the end of the evening an interesting walk awaits us with a local guide, Isabel, to discover the secrets of the island. Return to the hotel, dinner in a restaurant and overnight stay.

10,1km – 4,5hr walking time,  height difference up/down +293/-300m

10 settembre: Es Grau – S’Albufera – Favaritx lighthouse

Breakfast. Departure by bus for the beautiful crossing of the Natural Park  S’Albufera des Grau which represents the core of the biosphere reserve, therefore from an environmental point of view it is the most important part of the island. We will cross the humid area, an expanse of fresh water where birds nest on small floating islands, to finally arrive at the Favaritx Lighthouse where a lunar landscape leaves us breathless.
Note: In the morning we go to the fish market to buy our fish (about 10-15 Euros per person), which in the evening will be cooked in a typical restaurant in the village.
9,6km – 3,5hr walking time, height difference up/down +- 197m

11 september: Visit of mahon harbour – afternoon from Punta Nati to Ciutadela

Breakfast. Bus transfer to Mahon, the capital of Menorca, where we embark to visit the natural port, considered one of the largest in Europe, and stop on the island of Rei. In the late afternoon we leave for Punta Nati and walk in a dramatic setting made of stones and cliffs overlooking the sea, where we wait for the sunset. An unusual and surprising walk. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
5,7km – 2hr walking time, height difference up/down +80/-91m

12 september: Cala Morell – Cala Pilar

Breakfast. Bus transfer to Cala Morell, where we begin another route in the north part of Menorca. Today’s trail crosses another wild part of this island, with a variety of colors along our route: from the green of the vegetation, to the red of the rock that turns into yellow and then red again. A continuous change of scenery and energy until the peak of Cala Pilar, one of the least accessible and best preserved beaches in Menorca. Return to the hotel, dinner in a restaurant and overnight stay.
12,9km, 4,5h walking time, height difference up/down +266m/-315m

13 september: flight back home

Breakfast. Check-out from our hotel and departure by bus to the airport. Check-in formalities and take-off for Milan Malpensa (or other airport). End of tour.

Trekking guide: Federica Amaducci

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Moderate. Good physical condition required, some training outings before departure are recommended.
You walk on average 4-6 hours a day, covering 8 to 15km. Modest differences in altitude, not exceeding 300m both uphill and downhill.

group size:

Max. 14 participants

path description:

You walk on marked paths, mainly on dirt roads in the woods and sand along the beaches, with occasional short stretches of asphalt.

required hiking gear:

Trekking boots with profiled soles, preferably ankle-high. Small daypack of 15-25l, suitable clothing with hiking pants (NO JEANS!) and technical t-shirts, they must be able to dry quickly.
To bring in the backpack: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, packed lunch, water bottles or camel-bag (at least 1.5lt), beach towel, swimsuit, spare t-shirt, k-way or light rain/wind jacket. You will receive a list of what to bring before departure.

Climate:

Still warm days but without extreme temperature peaks, with highs around +20C°-24C°. Cool evenings, with a chance of wind. Bring some warm clothing (fleece or long-sleeved sweater, light windbreaker). Possible seasonal showers not excluded.