'Sant Joan ,Ciutadella' - Attribution: Horses are an important part of the Menorcan lifestyle. Horse riding for experienced or first timers of all ages can be found at a number of riding schools located all across Menorca.
Visit Menorca on horseback! This feeling of freedom is a truly unique experience, especially when you are a nature lover. It's more than mere adventure tourism. Enjoy the island's magnificent scenery in the saddle; either on your own or with a guide, along the coast or inland, for one or several days.
The island terrain is covered by various country roads. One of the most relevant is “Camí de Cavalls” (Horse Riding Track), an ancient path of about 220 kilometers, known for its importance and unique beauty. It consists of an old path, which originally went all the way around the Menorcan coast. Most of it has been preserved until today. There is an (unconfirmed) hypothesis amongst the Menorcan, saying that some parts already existed in the 14th century. It's speculated that this has to do with the defence system that was developed by the Catalan. The king rewarded those who could care for a horse and carry arms with a piece of land. In turn, they had to be prepared to leave and defend the island right at the moment an enemy attack was announced. Another supposition claims that the French created the path during their dominion between 1756 and 1763.
Whatever the truth is, all theories agree that the path was created for the island's defense and control. This military function has been officially confirmed since the second half of the 18th century, a period when the path was considered of great importance by the British governors who ruled the island.
Until half a century ago, the land laborers who exploited the fields were obliged to keep the path clean and free of vegetation or any other kind of obstacles.They also had to mark the way in a strategic order using whitewashed stones. Nowadays, work is being done to recover the original route to recover the entire historical patrimony of the island.
To access the 'Camí de Cavalls' you must take the road from Maó to Fornells. Turn right and take the road leading to the lighthouse Favàritx. The route starts right here at the lighthouse and ends on the beach of Cala Tortuga.
The “Camí de Cavalls” is a route not to be missed if you wish to capture the real beauty of the island. During the trip you can breathe its essence along each part of the path, which is reflected in the impressive natural appeal of its coastline. Discover ecological enclaves and breathtaking landscapes in many ravines and streams that flow into creeks of unparalleled beauty or sands surrounded by thick pine forests. Also, turning off slightly from the route, you can see other places worth seeing such as the Albufera de Es Grau, S'Estany of Morella, Addai Salinas and Punta Prima, Sa Bassa Verda, Sa Halconera or the dunes of Algaiarens and La Vall.