By James & Caroline Warne

We have been exploring this incredible island by foot for over 25 years. More recently, we’ve been discovering the island’s extensive cycle paths and lanes we didn’t even know existed on electric bikes. We’ve started putting together a selection of our favourite walks and cycle rides to share.

For walkers, the island’s famous 185km circular coastal path, the Cami de Cavalls, is well documented. Our walks are ones less well known, each offering a variety of views and interesting things to discover which, for us, make Menorca the incredible gem that it is. Our mottos; not too strenuous, circular (so you don’t have to get taxis or buses) and there has to be at least one bar for “essential” refreshment halfway around or at the end!

WALK 1 – SANT TOMAS to ES MIGJORN GRAN

Approx 5.5 miles – 3 Hours – mostly gentle with one short rocky/steep bit.

Highlights – Takes in a walk along one of Menorca’s most iconic beaches with the bluest of water, the magnificent cathedral-like cave of Cova des Coloms, walled lanes and a village stop-off halfway. An area of woodland with a magnificent avenue of holm oak trees, culminating in a sundowner at the beach restaurant with one of the island’s best views of the sea.

Park at the Beach car park next to the Chiringuito Es Bruc beach restaurant.

Turn right and head along the new boardwalk of the Cami de Cavalls, past the little boat house and along the elevated path above the Binigaus beach enjoying the amazing views across the blue water bay to the wooded headland.

At the end of the beach, bear right onto the pretty walled path which is still the Cami de Cavalls.

After approximately 200 metres walking inland, the path forks left BUT on the right is a gate and large red sign “Cova des Coloms” Take this path.

After 500m, passing through a stone gap, the path forks again – Turn RIGHT through the gap in the wall (next to a lone rectangular stone on the path) and follow the well-trodden flat path approximately half a mile or so all the way up the floor of the Binigaus ravine. Passing the turning for a smaller cave, stay left at several forks until eventually there is a sign pointing right to the cave.

Cross the valley floor and up the other side following the zig-zag path up to the narrow entrance to the cave.

Prepare to be amazed – the cave is vast, known locally as La Catedral. Several million years old, 330ft deep and 90ft high, bats live in the roof and one can’t help but imagine what stories the walls could tell, the cave having been a burial site and a site of magical and religious significance.

Leave the cave, re-join the path turning right and ascend the stoney section up to the (thankfully level) track and lane (Cami de Binigaus) to Es Migjorn.

This lovely traffic-free lane arrives at the immaculate Cemetery on the outskirts of the village. You can explore the Poblat Talaiot adjacent or take a pit stop in the village but our walk continues from the end of the little cemetery carpark.

This lane culminates at the road from Es Migjorn to Sant Tomas which we cross, turn right and walk along for 300m before turning left onto a lane signposted “Depodura” passing the Santa Monica estate and the small treatment works.

As the lane descends, turn right off the lane. At the end of the lane we enter the wood by climbing the stones over the wall to the right and enjoy an enchanting walk along the Cami de Sant Tomas through a tunnel of holm oak trees – giving way to pine trees.

At the end go through the gate at the farm, turning right and exiting into the urbanisation of Sant Tomas. Staying right, descend and cross the road to the beach turning right and heading to the restaurant for a well-earned sundowner!

Download PDF of this article from the July 2023 edition of Roqueta »