are also present. There are Menorcan varieties of farm animals, including cows, horses, sheep and hens, but the dairy industry is dominated by Friesian herds.
Reptiles include three species of snake, which are rarely encountered. Hermann’s tortoises were introduced to the island and can be found almost everywhere, while terrapins occupy certain pools. The Balearic lizard is native, but its strongholds are restricted to small islets dotted around Menorca. Other species of lizards are more widespread, and geckos may be spotted at night. Amphibians include the tree frog and green toad. The most notable insects are butterflies, but cicadas and grasshoppers chirp and whir noisily among the vegetation.
Protected Areas
Looking along a tidal river near the little coastal village of Es Grau (Walk 15)
The whole island of Menorca was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 1993. There are over 600 such reserves across the world, including three in England, three in Scotland and one in Wales. They are protected, monitored and managed as demonstration areas for different ecosystems in order to encourage sustainable development.
The ‘core area’ of the reserve, the Parc Natural de s’Albufera des Grau, was designated in 1995, and this also encompasses the sea off the east coast. The Reserva Marina del Nord de Menorca was established to the north of the island in 1999. Almost half of the island, including most of the coastline, was granted special protection as a ‘buffer zone’. Even those parts of the island which aren’t specifically protected are still regarded as a ‘transition zone’ within the Biosphere Reserve.
When to go
The best times to walk in Menorca are spring and autumn, but especially spring if you have an interest in wild flowers, or want to see the island at its most colourful. High summer, in July and August, is a very busy time and many walkers would find it too hot to be enjoyable. Winter is generally mild, but it can occasionally be cold, grey and wet. This need not be a problem, but when the ground is wet the clay is often sticky and slippery underfoot. Deep puddles may form on rutted paths and tracks, and some streams may need to be forded. Snow is exceptionally rare and seldom lies for any length of time.
Once on Menorca, the daily weather forecast is easily checked by looking at a copy of the local newspaper, the Menorca Diario Insular. The El Tiempo page is easily understood as it uses obvious weather symbols.
Accommodation
Where you choose to base yourself will depend on when you visit Menorca, and how you plan to explore it. If you are planning to use public transport it would be sensible to stay in one of the main centres such as Maó (Mahón) or Ciutadella; however, if you are hiring a car, the island is so small that you will be able to reach your selection of routes from pretty much anywhere, so the seaside resorts will be as practical as the cities.
Menorca has long been sold as a package holiday destination, which means there are plenty of bargains available if you’re on a budget, especially in the resorts on the south coast. Outside of the peak summer season and festivals, there is no need to book accommodation in advance. There are enough lodgings available all year round in centres such a Maó, Ciutadella, Fornells on the north coast and Es Mercadal in the middle of the island to suit visiting walkers who want to move from place to place.
Some of the resorts are mostly closed for business outside summer and many of them only have summer bus services. Tourist information offices supply a helpful low-season accommodation list and websites such as www.visitmenorca.com cover all types of accommodation across the island.
Menorca looks wonderful for ‘wild camping’, but this is illegal, even though it does happen in some popular locations. There are campsites near Biniparratx, Son Bou and Sa Talaia, but these are not located conveniently near the walking routes in this guidebook.
Health and safety
Menorca is generally easy to explore on foot, but there are several low hills and rugged paths
There are no particular dangers for walkers in Menorca. Naturally, care must be taken near cliffs and beside the sea. Sun protection is advised throughout the year, and sufficient food and drink must be carried when there are no open shops, cafés or bars along the route. Most of the roads followed in this guide are quiet, or have good pavements, but it is always wise to keep an eye on the traffic. Many of the paths used in this guidebook are also available to mountain bikers and horse riders, and it is wise to step to one side and let them pass.
If you require medication, take adequate supplies with you. Pharmacies can advise in case of minor ailments, while for medical emergencies, phone 061. If a doctor or a trip to a hospital is required, European citizens should present their European Health Insurance Card, which may help to offset the cost of certain treatments.
Language
There are two official languages in Menorca: Spanish and Catalan. Catalan is spoken from Andorra to Valencia, as well as on the Balearic Islands. Menorquí is a dialect of Catalan and includes words of French and Arabic origin. No one expects visitors to learn Catalan, let alone Menorquí, and any Spanish you may learn is readily understood on Menorca. Many people in the main resorts and large hotels speak English, German and other languages but this may not be the case in small villages and in the countryside. See Appendix B for basic phrases and useful words in English, Spanish and Catalan and Appendix C for a topographical glossary for use with maps.
Money
The Euro is the currency of Menorca. Large denomination Euro notes are difficult to use for small purchases, so avoid the €500 and €200 notes altogether, and avoid the €100 notes if you can. The smaller denominations, €50, €20, €10 and €5, are fine. Coins come in €2 and €1. Small denomination coins come in values of 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c. Carry small change for use on the buses. Banks and ATMs are mentioned in route descriptions if further supplies of cash are needed. Many accommodation providers will accept major credit and debit cards, as will large supermarkets; however, small bars, shops and cafés deal only in cash.
Communications
A solitary white house near Cala de sa Torreta (Walk 15)
Menorca has efficient communications systems. The postal system is as good as anywhere else in Europe. There are telephone kiosks dotted around the towns and villages, and mobile phones get a good signal in most urban or elevated locations. However, signals are poor or non-existent in some deep valleys, as well as along some more remote stretches of the northern coastline.
Getting to Menorca
By air
Flights from UK airports to Menorca mainly operate in the summer season, from May to October. Budget operators include Jet2 www.jet2.com, Monarch www.monarch.co.uk and Ryanair www.ryanair.com, and flights are mainly from the London airports, Birmingham and Manchester. There are some flights from a dozen other regional airports. For the rest of the year the choice of airports, airlines and dates on which flights operate is limited. However, this can be overcome by flying via mainland Spain or neighbouring Mallorca, changing onto year-round flights to Menorca
