Relaxed cycling tourism in Menorca

Day 1: Ciutadella - Naveta des Tudons along Camí Vell

This is a cycling route that runs from Ciutadella to the village of Ferreries along spellbinding rural roads. However, we are going to take our time, and will only cover a quarter of the route (just over five kilometres), which takes 45 minutes of leisurely cycling. We will end out trip at the Naveta des Tudons, one of the most important and emblematic prehistoric monuments of the Balearic Islands. 

As we head east towards Maó along the Camí Vell, the rural road is a quiet alternative to the main road. The initial kilometres run along a tarmac track, surrounded by countryside dotted with dry stone walls and meadows where Menorcan and Friesian cows, sheep and the majestic Menorcan horses graze.

Just one kilometre into the route we will pass by the Pedreres de s'Hostal, an old quarry of marés, a typical white stone used to build the traditional houses of Menorca. This quarry was a construction material mine until 1994, when it was abandoned. It has now been converted into a leisure and cultural facility, with gardens, mazes and scenic spaces, while respecting its original structure as a quarry. We will continue on our way, although we recommend you stop to explore this fascinating place.

We continue our route along the Camí Vell, enjoying the tranquillity and serenity of the rural surroundings. It is important to remember that although the road is quiet, it is not exclusively for bicycles, so beware of other road users.

After about five kilometres of relaxed cycling, we reach the turn-off to the Es Tudons estate. One of the most emblematic monuments of the Balearic Islands awaits us here: the Naveta des Tudons. This prehistoric construction from the Bronze Age, with its peculiar shape of an inverted nave, takes us back to ancient times. It is in incredibly good condition for its age and is built with huge stones. It looks as though it had been built by giants!

Day 2: From Maó to Es Castell along country roads

The second day of cycling tourism in Menorca involves a trip from the city of Maó to the small village of Es Castell, along quiet country roads. This is a very easy route of just over seven kilometres, mostly on tarmac and with practically no gradient. 

The route starts along the Camí de na Ferranda. The entrance is located at a turn-off just in front of the Bonpreu hypermarket, on the Maó industrial estate. This is a winding path surrounded by dry stone walls, which leads to Llucmaçanes, a small village near the airport. Here, you will enter a network of narrow, more attractive paths that cross the Menorcan countryside. 

Continue along your way until you reach a tunnel that leads to a wide avenue with a well-marked cycle lane, which you should take in the direction of Es Castell. Go along the Camí Verd to the Talayotic settlement of Trepucó, which is definitely worth a stop. 

It is one of the largest prehistoric settlements on the island. It covers an area of almost 50,000 m², although only a small part of the settlement remains today. This includes the highest taula in Menorca, two talayots dating from between 1000 and 700 BC, and the remains of some dwellings from the Postalayotic period. 

Continue towards Es Castell, and follow the dirt track to a crossroads. This is where the route ends, although it is well worth taking a stroll through this unusual village. Es Castell was built and founded in 1771, during the English presence in Menorca, and named Georgetown, in honour of King George III. This charming village, which sprang up next to the fortress of the castle of Sant Felip, welcomes us with a large esplanade that once the parade ground and the beautiful port of Cales Fonts. Soaking up its tranquil atmosphere and contemplating its historical beauty is the perfect end to our second day of relaxed cycling in Menorca.

Day 3: From Es Mercadal to Alaior along Camí den Kane

During this new stage of our relaxed cycling tour of Menorca, you will explore the heart of the island, visiting the villages of Es Mercadal and Alaior along an ancient countryside road which, centuries ago, was the main road on the island: the Camí den Kane. 

The Camí d'en Kane was the main route across Menorca during the English occupation in the 18th century. However, with the construction of the Me-1 main road, it is now an alternative scenic route brimming with history and natural beauty, perfect for peaceful strolls without too much traffic!

The route is relatively short, just over seven kilometres in total. It takes no longer than two hours to get there and back. The terrain is mostly flat and asphalted, which makes it perfect for touring bikes. However, we will also offer an option B, which requires a mountain bike due to the rough terrain.

Our starting point is the village of Es Mercadal in the centre of the island. It is a leafy place with a large number of working farms and is also home to the highest point on the island, El Toro. It's an opportunity buy a wide variety of local produce directly from the farms.

You will start by cycling along the Camí d'en Kane, with dry stone walls flanking us on both sides as we cross the Menorcan countryside. See cows grazing peacefully in the fields around you and enjoy the serenity of the rural landscape.

Halfway along the route, after passing the Santa Eularieta holiday camp, you will turn off towards the Camí de Migjorn, a rural road and an alternative route. This section is no longer asphalted and requires the use of a mountain bike. However, the beauty of the natural surroundings will reward your effort.

Finally, we will leave the path again at the Camí den Kane to take the turn-off to Alaior. It is worth stopping for a moment and enjoying the view of this white Menorcan village from a distance, a place where history and traditional architecture blend with modern life. It is a perfect place to rest and explore before making your way back.

Day 4: From Es Migjorn Gran to the south coast via the Binigaus ravine

Our new route runs between the small village of Es Migjorn Gran to the impressive Binigaus Beach, one of the most beautiful in the south of Menorca. This route offers a low difficulty cycling experience, with the possibility of exploring two huge caves along the way.

We start our journey from the Es Migjorn Gran School or from the Municipal Cemetery, where we will find a small car park. Descend along the Binigaus path, leaving the cemetery on your left, until you come to an open gate on the left with a sign indicating the path to Sa Cova des Coloms.

Here you have the option of either continuing on with the bicycles or leaving them behind and going into the ravine along a path that will take you to Sa Cova des Coloms. This cave, known as "La Catedral", has an impressive entrance of large dimensions: 24 metres high, 110 metres long and 15 metres wide.

After exploring the cave, we return to the junction and continue along the ravine path towards Binigaus beach. The path is easy and offers panoramic views of the lush, leafy nature of the ravine, with the sea on the horizon.

We will reach a gate that will lead you to a small esplanade with a well for the livestock and an information panel indicating the path to follow. Along this stretch, the path is bordered by dry stone walls. Soon you will come to a man-made cave on the right and then turn left at a fork to finally reach Binigaus Beach.

To make your way back, take the path to the esplanade of the water troughs and turn left along the path just before the signpost to the Des Coloms cave. Follow this uphill path to the village of Es Migjorn, passing by the old water well and arriving at the Binigaus Nou site before continuing towards the village.

Day 5: Circular route along the coast of Sant Lluís

This relaxed route is very easy, flat, and varied, with breathtaking scenery and very little gradient. It will take you along old country roads, the Camí de Cavalls and the beaches and urbanisations of the south-east coast of Menorca. This cycling route takes about two hours. 

Start by crossing the town centre and following the Camí Vell de s'Ullestrar until you reach the Camí de na Coixa, passing through an area of orchards. Continue on the RC66 along the Sa Vigia de Torret road to the coast, passing by the Sa Vigia tower. From here, skirt the coast until you reach the Biniancolla promenade, passing the cove and continuing along the sea through the urbanisation.

Just before you reach the tower of Son Ganxo, you'll leave the urbanisation to follow the milestones of the Camí de Cavalls (GR-223) to Punta Prima and from there to the beach of Alcalfar, passing by Caló Roig and the tower of Alcalfar.

Following the Camí de Cavalls, cross the S'Algar road and after 800 metres you will see a small gate on the right from which you can reach the Racó de Rafalet. Continue for 1 kilometre until you reach the crossroads with the Camí Vell de Rafalet. At this point you leave the camí de cavalls to follow the RC68 in the direction of Trebalúger and from there you'll return to San Luis along old country roads following the instructions on the wooden panels of the network of cycle tourism routes in Menorca.