The Camí de Cavalls is an ancient path, NaN186 in length,[1] that encircles the island of Menorca, Spain. This long-distance walking route is the GR 223 of the Senderos de Gran Recorrido network in Spain that connects some of the most inaccessible beaches of Menorca.
It is widely accepted that the Camí de Cavalls was built in order to connect the watchtowers, fortresses and cannons distributed along the coast of the island and to make the transport of troops and artillery easier. However, the date of its origin is not so clear. The most accepted theory attributes it to the French invaders during the different periods they lived in the island, but according to some studies, it could have been created in the 14th century.[2]
Since its original function was the defence and the control of the island, it was patrolled by soldiers mounted on Menorquin horses, hence the word cavalls (meaning "horses" in Catalan) in the name of the path.
During decades part of the path belonged to private properties and could not be used by everybody. However, after an agreement between the island's government and the landlords, the path became public. Then, the Government started the restoration of the whole path, spending €934,977.37 in a first stage and €800,159 in a second stage completed in May 2011.[3]
The path is divided in 20 different stages, each of them between 5 and 14 km. All the start and arrival points can be gained access to by road traffic, making possible to cover only one or some stages of the path at a time.
| Stage | Start | Finish | Duration | Distance | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maó | Es Grau | 3 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on10kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on10mileskm) | Medium | |
| 2 | Es Grau | Favàritx | 3 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on8.6kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on05.3mileskm) | Medium | |
| 3 | Favàritx | Arenal d'en Castell | 5 h | NaNkmsortable=on13.6kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on08.5mileskm) | Medium | |
| 4 | Arenal d'en Castell | Cala Tirant | 4 h | NaNkmsortable=on10.8kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on06.7mileskm) | Easy | |
| 5 | Cala Tirant | Binimel·là | 4 h | NaNkmsortable=on9.6kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on06mileskm) | Medium | |
| 6 | Binimel·là | Els Alocs | 5 h | NaNkmsortable=on8.9kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on05.5mileskm) | Difficult | |
| 7 | Els Alocs | Algaiarens | 4 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on9.7kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on06mileskm) | Middle | |
| 8 | Algaiarens | Cala Morell | 2 h 10 min | NaNkmsortable=on5.4kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on03.4mileskm) | Middle | |
| 9 | Cala Morell | Punta Nati | 3 h | NaNkmsortable=on7kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on04mileskm) | Easy | |
| 10 | Punta Nati | Ciutadella | 4 h | NaNkmsortable=on10.5kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on06.5mileskm) | Easy | |
| 11 | Ciutadella | Cap d’Artrutx | 5 h | NaNkmsortable=on13.2kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on08.2mileskm) | Easy | |
| 12 | Cap d'Artrutx | Cala en Turqueta | 5 h | NaNkmsortable=on13.3kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on08.3mileskm) | Medium | |
| 13 | Cala en Turqueta | Cala Galdana | 2 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on6.4kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on04mileskm) | Easy | |
| 14 | Cala Galdana | Sant Tomàs | 4 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on10.8kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on06.7mileskm) | Medium | |
| 15 | Sant Tomàs | Son Bou | 2 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on6.4kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on04mileskm) | Easy | |
| 16 | Son Bou | Cala en Porter | 3 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on8kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on05mileskm) | Medium | |
| 17 | Cala en Porter | Binisafúller | 4 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on11.8kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on07.3mileskm) | Easy | |
| 18 | Binisafúller | Punta Prima | 3 h 30 min | NaNkmsortable=on8.1kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on05mileskm) | Easy | |
| 19 | Punta Prima | Cala de Sant Esteve | 2 h 40 min | NaNkmsortable=on7.3kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on04.5mileskm) | Easy | |
| 20 | Cala de Sant Esteve | Maó | 2 h 20 min | NaNkmsortable=on6kmkm (-2,147,483,648milessortable=on04mileskm) | Easy |
Since the whole path is restored, activities and events around it are arising. Between April 28, 2012 and May 1, 2012, the world champion in adventure racing Arnau Julià went in 82 h 30 min three times around the path, one running, one in mountain-bike and the last one in kayak, covering in total more than NaN500.[4]
The Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls was held for the first time between 18 and 20 May 2012 and 140 participants took part in the five different races of this event: Trail Cami de Cavalls 185.3 km, Trail Costa Nord – 94.2 km (North coast only), Trail Costa Sud – 91 km (south coast only), Trekking Costa Nord – 46.6 km and Trekking Costa Sud – 43.5 km.[5]