CAMÍ DE CAVALLS – Stage 10Punta Nati – Ciutadella de Menorca
walking by the Camí de Cavalls
The stage
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls begins a few metres from the lighthouse at Punta Nati and is generally fairly flat if somewhat rocky underfoot. The path follows the cliff edge for 5 km as far as a natural sea arch, Pont d’en Gil, which you reach just after passing next to a water treatment plant. From here you have 5 km still to walk, all along roads. First you pass through the built-up area of Calespiques and then reach Cala en Blanes. This small beach has a stand of palm trees with picnic tables that make it an ideal spot to rest and relax for a while. From here you finish the stage by walking along a promenade with a bike lane, which takes you into Ciutadella past the lighthouse of Sa Farola and to the end of the stage in the town’s old port.
Distance: 10,5 km • Difficulty: Easy • Estimated walking time: 3 h
Be sure to shut all gates after you since they are used to control the cattle.
SHORTER ALTERNATIVE AVOIDING ROADS
Punta Nati – Pont d’en Gil
If you finish the stage at Pont d’en Gil you will save yourself the 5 km of road into Ciutadella.
Distance: 5 km • Difficulty: Easy • Estimated walking time: 1 h 30 m
The surroundings
This stage of the Camí de Cavalls can be divided into two very different parts. The first – Punta Nati to Pont d’en Gil – 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 there is a surprising abundance of wild caper plants whose fruit are much appreciated on the island. The photogenic natural sea arch of Pont d’en Gil marks the start of the second part of the stage, this time wholly along roads as far as Ciutadella and the end of the stage.
Don’t miss
• 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 lighthouses of Menorca.
• Pont d’en Gil: Spectacular natural rock arch formed by the erosive power of the sea.
• Ciutadella: It is well worth wandering around the old port and getting to know the narrow streets of the old city.
Services
• Punta Nati: No facilities.
• Calespiques and cala en Blanes: Resorts with all types of facilities for beach-lovers such as bars, restaurants and supermarkets, open during the tourist season.
• Ciutadella: All visitors’ needs can be catered for in the city.
How to get there
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.
A bus runs to Cala en Blanes from Ciutadella during the high season. 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
GUIDEBOOK RECOMMENDED
The Camí de Cavalls. The tour of Menorca in 10 days. Triangle Postals
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