rel="nofollow" href="http://www.themapshop.co.uk">www.themapshop.co.uk).
Food and drink
There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, bars and shops in the towns and villages around Menorca, so it is usually easy to obtain food and drink. Even some remote beaches have a small café/bar or restaurant. However, there are some walks that have little or nothing, so it is always a good idea to carry enough food and drink for the day. See Appendix B for food and drink items.
Tourist information offices
There are five tourist information offices around Menorca. They offer plenty of local information and might help with accommodation searches, attractions, opening times, bus timetables and so on. They should have information about the long-distance Camí de Cavalls, as well as knowledge of nearby walking and cycling opportunities.
Airport Arrivals Hall, tel 971-157115
Plaça de S’Esplanada, Maó, tel 971-367415
Moll de Levant, Port de Maó, tel 971-355952
Plaça de la Catedral, Ciutadella, tel 971-382693
Casa del Contramaestre, Fornells, tel 971-158430
Emergencies
If emergency assistance is required on land, phone 112 and explain the nature of the incident to an English-speaking operator. If a rescue is required, a response might be mounted by the fire service (bombers) or the police. The police can be contacted directly, either phoning 092 for the Policía Municipal, 091 for the Policía Nacional, or 062 for the Guardia Civil. Alternatively, for a medical emergency, phone 061. For sea rescues, phone 112 or 900-202202.
Using this guide
These walkers are evidently backpacking, but where do they intend to camp, since it is illegal to camp wild?
There are 20 one-day walks in this guidebook; 16 of these are spread around most parts of Menorca, but are particularly concentrated within easy reach of Maó. The Coast to Coast route across the island from Maó to Ciutadella, a total of 71km (44½ miles), is divided into four one-day stages. Most walks are easy, but sometimes there are short, steep, rocky or stony slopes, and some areas are densely vegetated, where it is possible to become disorientated. Many of the walks, not just the Coast to Coast ones, link with adjacent walks, so that it is possible to extend the distance.
The only thing that really makes a walk difficult on Menorca is distance, particularly in the peak summer period when it is very hot. There is enough information in the introduction to each day’s walk for readers to choose walks that are appropriate to their abilities.
The long-distance GR223, or Camí de Cavalls, completely encircles Menorca, and while many stretches can be completed as simple day-walks, walking the full circuit day after day requires a lot of planning. See the separate introduction to this long-distance walk later in the guidebook.
Note that the spellings of place names used in the route descriptions match the spellings that readers will encounter while in Menorca, on street signs and the like. In some places these do not correspond exactly with those that appear on the official map, and therefore on the route maps. However, the differences are small and places easy to identify.
DAY WALKS
The rugged cliff coast path runs past Cala Fustam and Cala Escorxada (Walk 9)
WALK 1
Maó and Es Castell
| Start | Plaça d’Espanya, Maó |
| Finish | Plaça de S’Arraval Vella, Es Castell |
| Distance | 8km (5 miles) |
| Total Ascent/Descent | 100m (330ft) |
| Time | 2hrs 30min |
| Terrain | Easy walking along coastal roads, promenades and narrow cliff paths. |
| Refreshment | Plenty of choice in Maó, Es Castell and Cales Fonts. |
| Public transport | Regular daily buses link Maó and Es Castell, extending to Sol de l’Est in summer. |
The built-up southern shore of Port de Maó, between the city of Maó and neighbouring Es Castell, is more interesting than maps might suggest. There are fine, short cliff-top paths, lovely little coves and views of Fortalesa de la Mola, the fortified headland guarding the harbour. This coastal walk can be followed instead of the first part of the long-distance GR223, or Camí de Cavalls, which simply follows a main road directly from Maó to Es Castell.
Maó’s waterfront reflected in the waters of Cala Figuera
There are many ways to leave the Plaça d’Espanya in the centre of Maó, and a street map (such as the one at the front of this guide) will be useful. Walk down the bendy road, Costa de ses Voltes, or take a short-cut down broad flights of stone steps. Reach the shore of Port de Maó beside ticket booths for a variety of short cruises. Cruises include the ‘Glass Bottom Boats’, circuits of the harbour and the Fortalesa de la Mola.
Turn right and follow a generous path between the sea and the coastal road. A multitude of boats are moored alongside, while across the road are plenty of bars and restaurants. Swing right round the Moll de Llevant, pass the Casino Marítim and follow the road round the small inlet of Cala Figuera. The buildings are rather shabby here, and the road ends suddenly at a slipway.
Just before the slipway, climb steps beside an electricity transformer tower. Turn left and climb more steps past houses. A narrow, well-trodden cliff-top path squeezes between bushes of càrritx and euphorbia, and the surface is often worn to bare limestone. Note the island of Illa del Rei, where the British built a substantial hospital. Houses lie ahead, so join a track to approach them, then continue straight along Carrer Gran into Es Castell.
Turn left down Carrer Cala Corb to reach the cliff-bound harbour of Cala Corb. Climb steps on the right to reach the cliff-top and continue along a broad, brick-paved path called Miranda de Cala Corb. Turn right along Carrer de Bellavista, losing views of the sea, then turn left down Carrer Sant Ignasi, passing below the Hotel Hamilton. Follow a fine brick-paved promenade, later turning right to reach the inlet of Cales Fonts (bars, restaurants, boats offering harbour tours).
A narrow cliff-top path can be followed away from Cales Fonts
At the head of the inlet, either follow a wooden walkway below a cliff, and later climb steps up the cliff, or head inland, turn sharp left and pick up a cliff-top path that enjoys fine views of the harbour. Either way, continue along the cliff-top path, which is narrow and unfenced. Steps later drop to a rocky shore popular with fishermen, then climb back to the cliff-top. Pass wooden decking and climb a few more steps, following the cliff path to the head of another inlet at Cala Pedrera.
Climb concrete steps beside the Bar Restaurante Sol Naciente and turn left along a road. Watch for a narrow path on the left, squeezing past broom bushes to continue along the low cliffs at Sol de l’Est. The path passes a housing development and crosses
