CAMÍ DE CAVALLS – Stage 9Cala Morell – Punta Nati
walking by the Camí de Cavalls
The stage
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls begins just a few metres away from the Necropolis of Cala Morell. The path follows the cliff edge for 30 minutes until it comes to a vantage point. From here, it heads inland past a dry-stone hut (pont de bens) as far as a track, which you cross over. You gradually begin to return towards the cliffs and once you pass a disused cistern you will be able to make out in the distance the lighthouse of Punta Nati, which will accompany you for the rest of the stage. You finish the walk just 600 m from the lighthouse.
Distance: 7 km • Difficulty: Easy • Estimated walking time: 2 h 30 m
Be sure to shut all gates after you since they are used to control the cattle.
The surroundings
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 (ponts de bens) in which sheep flocks take shelter in the event of bad weather. The landscape has been modelled by the northerly tramuntana wind and the vegetation is dominated by rosemary, winter heath, Phoenician juniper, chamomile and wild capers (especially around the lighthouse). This is an excellent place for birdwatchers who can expect to see Thekla larks all year round, meadow pipits in winter and tawny pipits in summer. Peregrine falcons are common and just before dusk in the breeding season large rafts of Cory’s shearwaters form off the coast as a prelude to their entrance into their breeding colony, the species’ largest on Menorca.
Don’t miss
• Cala Morell necropolis: A group of 14 burial chambers hewn from the bare rock that were used from the pre-Talaiotic period up to the second century AD. Just before reaching the beach you will come to a small car park at the entrance to the necropolis. More information about Cala Morell necropolis.
• Cala Morell: This beach that is well protected from the southerly and easterly winds. It is 9 km north of Ciutadella and, thanks to the diving platforms and its calm shallow transparent waters, is a perfect place for diving. More information.
• Général Chanzy cross: Cross erected to commemorate the shipwreck of the steamship Général Chanzy in 1910, which provoked the French govern to pressure their Spanish counterpart into building a lighthouse on Punta Nati. It was inaugurated in 1913. Subsequently, the lighthouses on Favàritx and Cavalleria were built, with which the signalling of the north coast of Menorca was completed.
• Punta Nati lighthouse: Lighthouse 6 km north of Ciutadella that consists of two rectangular brick buildings and a 19-m high tower with a hexagonal base. It stands 42 m above sea level and is one of the best places in Menorca for watching the sunset. More information about Punta Nati lighthouses and others lighthouse of Menorca.
NEARBY SITES OF INTEREST
• Ciutadella: It is well worth wandering around the old port and getting to know the narrow streets of the old city.
Services
• Cala Morell: The resort has a few shops and restaurants with good views of the beach that are open during the high season.
• Punta Nati: No facilities.
How to get there
Cala Morell is 9 km north of Ciutadella. From the roundabout to the north of the town, take the road towards Cala Morell. After just over 6 km at the turn-off to Algaiarens, keep left towards Cala Morell, which you will reach in just 2.5 km. If you turn left before you reach the beach you will find the small car-park for the Necropolis of Cala Morell. The stage starts just a few metres away.
Punta Nati is 6 km north of Ciutadella. From the centre of the town, take the Camí de Son Salomó to a roundabout on the northern ring road, where you will find the road to Punta Nati. If you come from Maó, the quickest way is to follow the northern ring road as far as the aforementioned roundabout and then take the right-hand turn-off towards the lighthouse .
The end of the road to the lighthouse is a very narrow cul-de-sac where it can be difficult to turn your car around on summer evenings. So, if you approach by car, it is best to turn it around as soon as you arrive.
During the high season a bus runs from Ciutadella to Cala Morell. 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.
Also, you have to bear in mind that there are sections where you will not find any kind of accommodation for kilometres around. That is the case of the 33,5 km section between Cala Tirant and Cala Morell. 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
GUIDEBOOK RECOMMENDED
The Camí de Cavalls. The tour of Menorca in 10 days. Triangle Postals
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