CAMÍ DE CAVALLS – Stage 18Binissafúller – Punta Prima
walking by the Camí de Cavalls
The stage
Other than two small sections at its beginning and end, this stage is almost entirely walked on roads and streets of residential areas. It begins a few metres from the beach at Binissafúller, from where a small path takes you to the road that links the various built-up areas that cover this part of the southern Menorcan coast. After passing through the picturesque tourist town of Binibèquer Vell and without leaving the tarmac, you cross the residential areas of Binibèquer Nou, Biniancolla and Son Ganxo. From here, another small path takes you to the residential area of Punta Prima, where the stage finishes at the end of this tourist village’s beach.
Distance: 8.1 km • Difficulty: Easy • Estimated walking time: 2 h 30 min
Take care with the traffic on this stretch since for the most part it runs along quite busy roads, above all in summer, that were not necessarily built with walkers in mind.
The surroundings
This part of the Camí de Cavalls crosses a flat but rocky section of Menorca’s southern coast that is currently very built-up. The rocky islands of Binissafúller and the Illa de l’Aire and its lighthouse remain in sight for most of the walk. Halfway along the walk you reach Cala de Binibèquer, whose white sands and transparent waters are ideal for bathing. The area of Caló Fondo in Binissafúller (known locally as Ses Olles) is an excellent for diving. It is fairly shallow and safe for bathing because in summer it is roped off and boats are not allowed in.
Don’t miss
• Binibèquer Vell: Curious small tourist village designed in 1972 by the architect Antoni Sintes Mercadal. It’s worth getting lost in its labyrinth of small narrow backstreets.
• Cala de Binibèquer: The Camí de Cavalls does not cross the beach but runs very close. A great place to stop for a bathe or just for a wander.
• Son Ganxo tower: Old coastal defence tower built between 1785 and 1787 during the Spanish rule of the island. It was restored in 2011 and currently operates as a hostel run by the local government (Institut de la Joventut de Menorca). Information and reservations.
NEARBY SITES OF INTEREST
• Illa de l’Aire: During part of this stage there are views of the Illa de l’Aire and its lighthouse. This island harbours a wealth of species, many of great ecological value such as the Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi, which here thrives in its densest Menorcan population.
Services
En route, you will come across a number of different built-up areas with services such as bars, restaurants and small supermarkets, almost all open only during the tourist season.
How to get there
Binissafúller is just over 9 km from Maó and 5 km from Sant Lluís. Take the road from this latter population through s’Ullastrar towards the beaches of the south coast. After about 2 km (after passing the turn-off to Binibèquer) at the prehistoric settlement of Binissafullet, turn left and then right 2 km further on. This road will take you to the beach at Binissafúller and a little further on to the starting point for this stage. Heading south from Sant Lluís you can also head for Punta Prima, ignoring the roads off to Alcalfar and Son Ganxo.
Throughout the whole route there are plenty of places to park. The beach at Binissafúller is 500 m from the start of the stage, but there are a few places to park at the beginning of the stage itself.
During the tourist season number of buses run from Maó and Sant Lluís that stop in Binissafúller, Binibèquer and Punta Prima. Check out bus times and frequencies (that vary according to the season).
Accommodation and logistics on Camí de Cavalls
If you want to go through the Camí de Cavalls in stages, either a part or all of it, you have to plan your trek well. There are no accommodation for trekkers on the path, so you will have to make use of the touristic accommodations you will find on the route. That is the reason why making the route outside the tourist season could be somewhat complicated.
It is important to adapt the route plan to your physical condition and your experience as a trekker. In many cases, the ideal choice is to hire a logistic service for you to resolve those shortcomings. This way, you will be able to get the most out of the experience.
Camí de Cavalls 360º is a specialised travel agency that helps you to make the route in stages, in a self-guided manner and with a series of related services (among others, accommodation and logistics). Camí de Cavalls 360º offers you different choices to traverse the Camí de Cavalls with autonomy, always adapting to your needs.
Map
See all stages of the Camí de Cavalls
All stages of the Camí de Cavalls
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The Camí de Cavalls is divided up into 20 stages that can be walked as a single long hike or individually in sections, or can be used simply as somewhere go for a stroll. Discover Menorca here describes the official stages as 20 separate day-long walks, using the morning for the outward bound stretch and the afternoon for the return. -
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls passes through a fine example of a windswept coastal landscape, especially between Sa Mesquida and the Macar de Binillautí. -
All of this stage of the Camí de Cavalls runs through S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park. It is an excellent walk for getting to know a variety of different habitats... -
Much of this stage of the Camí de Cavalls runs through the S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park and many of its very diverse landscapes. -
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls begins at the far western end of the built-up area of Arenal d’en Castell. Walk for 10 minutes along the cliff-top path as far as Son Parc... -
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls passes through one of the best-preserved parts of the Menorcan coastline. The EU has declared it to be an Area of Community Importance and and a Special Protection... -
This is the longest and hardest of all the stages of the Camí de Cavalls and, unsurprisingly, also one of the most spectacular. -
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls is characterized by the number of different habitats it visits. Around Cala Pilar a large number of endemic plants thrive alongside the more typical plants of... -
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls leaves behind the fertile fields and woods of La Vall d’Algaiarens and heads into a dry scrubby landscape dominated by low scattered plants. -
The whole of this stage of the Camí de Cavalls runs through what is known as ‘Dry Menorca’, an area characterized by its sparse vegetation and long lines of dry-stone walls only interrupted by stone huts... -
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls can be divided into two very different parts. The first runs through what is known as ‘Dry Menorca’, an area characterized by its sparse vegetation and long lines of dry-stone walls... -
From Cala Blanca onwards and as far as the end of the stage, the flat path follows low coastal cliffs that harbour an interesting plant community. -
This stretch of the Camí de Cavalls is flat and climbs very little. The landscape over much of this stage is dominated by a rocky coastline alternating with small coves. -
One of the most attractive elements of this stage of the Camí de Cavalls are the unspoilt beaches of its coves: En Turqueta, Macarella and Macarelleta are three of the best-loved of Menorca. -
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls is an excellent way of getting to know the woods and forests of the southern coast of Menorca. Most of this part of the long-distance footpath runs through... -
This stretch of the Camí de Cavalls is flat and, with very little uphill, is easy to walk. Nevertheless, it passes through a series of different habitats that include inland gullies, dunes, pastures... -
This stretch of the Camí de Cavalls connects two of the most important gullies on the southern coast of Menorca, the Barranc de Llucalari to the west and Barranc de Cala en Porter to the east. -
Despite following the coastline for the most part, along this stretch of the Camí de Cavalls you will only see the sea at Es Canutells and Calescoves (if you make a short detour). -
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls runs along a rocky stretch of low-lying coast dominated by shrubs such as lentisc and Phoenician juniper as far as the defence tower of Alcalfar. -
Despite walking almost the whole length of the Port de Maó, you will not get much of a chance to enjoy it if you don’t combine it with some alternative route that links the port and the centre of the town. -
The best walks and excursions around the coast of Menorca along the Camí de Cavalls (GR-223), an ideal way of exploring the island’s coastline at your leisure. Unspoilt beaches, rocky outcrops, pinewoods and sea-cliffs step-by-step. -
The Menorcan interactive map with the 20 stages of the Camí the Cavalls (GR 223) and much more...
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