Cycling the Camí de Cavalls on Menorca

We know the Camí de Cavalls is mainly visited by migratory birds, but we also heard that biking is allowed everywhere. We haven't got anything extreme planned but hope it will give us goosebumps every now and then. I am a self-confessed lover of flowing trails, while Dennis is more a man for rough terrain.

Sylvia knows all the stages of the Camí like the back of her hand. She’s a passionate biker and originally from Switzerland. She invited us to try out two routes with her and announced a surprise. Meeting point: Son Saura at 7 am.

From Son Saura/Cala en Turqueta to Cap d'Artrux

To start with, slightly stony trails alternate with narrow, sandy stretches: perfect terrain for full-suspension bikes. We get to know the bikes, gain some confidence and the pace increases. But Sylvia can hardly wait to take us to the coast: ‘There are wonderful trees and a view of the sea.’ Enthusiasm takes priority and the direction soon takes second place. The main thing is to be out on the bikes on great trails and in beautiful scenery.

When we arrive at Cala des Talaier, we are so overwhelmed that we want to spend the whole day there. Without further ado, we choose a steep passage with a typical dry stone wall on the right. We ride down it several times. Technically speaking. ‘It has to be a bit dusty at least,’ I think. Dennis: “Really?” After a few euphoric laps enjoying the rocky coast, we make our way back to Son Saura.

Next, we head in another new direction. Inland? Inland. We don’t see any cars, even on the ride away from the coast; the country roads are pleasant to ride on. After around 20 minutes we reach a traditional wooden gate. Standing behind it is Nina and her family's farm.

We get to watch how Queso de Mahón is made. We look over her and her son's shoulders, spellbound. What is the final product like? We are allowed to taste a little outside in the sun, and immediately decide to take a large piece for the others. Before we continue, we accompany the farmer's wife to the field. They are in the middle of the peanut harvest, or are they called ‘Spanish nuts’? They have been cultivating them on the farm for over 70 years.

After a stop in Ciutadella, we end the day in the Punta Nati region to enjoy the evening around the bunkers from the Civil War era.

Too good to be true? Actually, Dennis does get a puncture on the way back. We mend it together by the light of our headlamps.

From Cap de Favaritx to Arenal d'en Castell

We probably thought it couldn't get any better, but it did!

Imagine: it’s 6:30 am, you put on your helmet, headlamp, protectors and gloves, get on your bike and set off. Admittedly, that still sounds unspectacular. Now imagine that you are alone with your bike buddy, the morning wind makes tears well in your eyes and you ride off screaming for joy...

Still not special enough? Then imagine the whole thing in a natural park on Menorca. In the blue morning light, in front of you is a lighthouse that shows you the way with its rotating beam. What a great moment! Welcome to Cap de Favaritx, welcome to the Parc Natural de s’Albufera des Grau.

We explore this beautiful place just as the sun is poking over the horizon. Dennis particularly liked one section: a bumpy, rocky spot on the steep cliff. We practice al little more and soon get the hang of it.

We leave Cap de Favaritx with a heavy heart and head north towards Mongofre Nou: frequently changing full-suspension territory again. As soon as you get used to the situation, another one comes along. Flowing single trails, sandy surfaces and steep forest paths – it's all there. We take advantage of a rest to treat my lightly bleeding shin, which I scratched on the flat pedal.

We continued following a varied mix of mostly single trails, quieter sections and fast descents over dusty surfaces. This was just a fraction of the Camí de Cavalls, but one that was diverse, exciting and demanding... and it frequently gets dusty when biking on Menorca.