Walking in Menorca. Paddy Dillon

has long been sold as a package holiday destination, which means there are plenty of bargains available if you’re on a budget, especially in the resorts on the south coast. Outside of the peak summer season and festivals, there is no need to book accommodation in advance. There are enough lodgings available all year round in centres such a Maó, Ciutadella, Fornells on the north coast and Es Mercadal in the middle of the island to suit visiting walkers who want to move from place to place.

      Some of the resorts are mostly closed for business outside summer and many of them only have summer bus services. Tourist information offices supply a helpful low-season accommodation list and websites such as www.visitmenorca.com cover all types of accommodation across the island.

      Menorca looks wonderful for ‘wild camping’, but this is illegal, even though it does happen in some popular locations. There are campsites near Biniparratx, Son Bou and Sa Talaia, but these are not located conveniently near the walking routes in this guidebook.

Health and safety

      Menorca is generally easy to explore on foot, but there are several low hills and rugged paths

      There are no particular dangers for walkers in Menorca. Naturally, care must be taken near cliffs and beside the sea. Sun protection is advised throughout the year, and sufficient food and drink must be carried when there are no open shops, cafés or bars along the route. Most of the roads followed in this guide are quiet, or have good pavements, but it is always wise to keep an eye on the traffic. Many of the paths used in this guidebook are also available to mountain bikers and horse riders, and it is wise to step to one side and let them pass.

      If you require medication, take adequate supplies with you. Pharmacies can advise in case of minor ailments, while for medical emergencies, phone 061. If a doctor or a trip to a hospital is required, European citizens should present their European Health Insurance Card, which may help to offset the cost of certain treatments.

Language

      There are two official languages in Menorca: Spanish and Catalan. Catalan is spoken from Andorra to Valencia, as well as on the Balearic Islands. Menorquí is a dialect of Catalan and includes words of French and Arabic origin. No one expects visitors to learn Catalan, let alone Menorquí, and any Spanish you may learn is readily understood on Menorca. Many people in the main resorts and large hotels speak English, German and other languages but this may not be the case in small villages and in the countryside. See Appendix B for basic phrases and useful words in English, Spanish and Catalan and Appendix C for a topographical glossary for use with maps.

Money

      The Euro is the currency of Menorca. Large denomination Euro notes are difficult to use for small purchases, so avoid the €500 and €200 notes altogether, and avoid the €100 notes if you can. The smaller denominations, €50, €20, €10 and €5, are fine. Coins come in €2 and €1. Small denomination coins come in values of 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c. Carry small change for use on the buses. Banks and ATMs are mentioned in route descriptions if further supplies of cash are needed. Many accommodation providers will accept major credit and debit cards, as will large supermarkets; however, small bars, shops and cafés deal only in cash.

Communications

      A solitary white house near Cala de sa Torreta (Walk 15)

      Menorca has efficient communications systems. The postal system is as good as anywhere else in Europe. There are telephone kiosks dotted around the towns and villages, and mobile phones get a good signal in most urban or elevated locations. However, signals are poor or non-existent in some deep valleys, as well as along some more remote stretches of the northern coastline.

Getting to Menorca

      By air

      Flights from UK airports to Menorca mainly operate in the summer season, from May to October. Budget operators include Jet2 www.jet2.com, Monarch www.monarch.co.uk and Ryanair www.ryanair.com, and flights are mainly from the London airports, Birmingham and Manchester. There are some flights from a dozen other regional airports. For the rest of the year the choice of airports, airlines and dates on which flights operate is limited. However, this can be overcome by flying via mainland Spain or neighbouring Mallorca, changing onto year-round flights to Menorca operated by Iberia www.iberia.com, Spanair www.spanair.com and Vuelair www.vuelair.com. It is possible to start walking directly from the airport arrivals hall, to see an amazing prehistoric site and then head straight onto quiet country lanes, simply by following Walk 6.

      By road or rail

      Few travellers consider an overland journey to Menorca, but the Mediterranean ports of Barcelona and Valencia are served by trains and buses. For coach travel check Eurolines, www.eurolines.com, or for trains check www.renfe.es. Driving overland is a very time-consuming approach, but might suit those living in southern Spain.

      By sea

      The little city of Maó (Mahón) offers the biggest range of services on Menorca

      There are two main sea approaches to Menorca: the shortest are ferries from Mallorca, and the longest are from mainland Spain. The most regular are from Alcúdia (Mallorca) and Barcelona (Spain) to Ciutadella, operated by Baleària www.balearia.com. The Alcúdia to Ciutadella route is also served by Iscomar www.iscomar.com. Acciona Trasmediterránea serves Maó from Palma (Mallorca), Barcelona and Valencia (Spain).

Getting around Menorca

      An impressive network of footpaths and cycleways has been developed around Menorca

      Taking or hiring a car

      Taking a car to Menorca may not be a good idea. However, some walkers may wish to use a car in order to have a personalised backup service. If so, choose a good navigator to meet you at intervals along your chosen routes. Some of the one-day walks in this book are linear, rather than circular. The GR223, or Camí de Cavalls, is linear too, and returning to a parked car is inconvenient. Cars can be hired in advance, or on arrival at the airport, or it can be arranged through most hotels.

      Bus services

      Menorca has a splendid bus service between 1 May and 31 October, covering the peak summer period, when most settlements and resorts can be reached. During the low season, a reduced bus service operates, but this is perfectly adequate as long as you study the timetables carefully.

      Winter buses run regularly between Maó, Alaior, Es Mercadal, Ferreries and Ciutadella. The airport, Es Castell, Sant Lluís, Sant Climent, Cala en Porter, Es Migjorn Gran and Fornells can all be reached from Maó. Cala en Bosc, Cala Blanca, sa Caleta, Cala en Forcat and Es Migjorn Gran can all be reached from Ciutadella. There are also buses running between Es Mercadel and Fornells, and between Fornells and Arenal d’en Castell.

      Different bus companies operate along different routes, and most timetables can be checked at the bus station in Maó. Transportes Menorca (TMSA) www.tmsa.es,