Camí de Cavalls
Camí de Cavalls 360º is the tour around Menorca in stages and is a project different from Menorca 360º. It offers a 185 km route based on the GR 223 Camí de Cavalls and adapted to each modality: Hiking, Trail Running and Mountain Bike.
GR 223 Camí de Cavalls
Camí de Cavalls is 185 kilometres long. 185 km of tracks and paths that surround the confines of the island of Menorca which occasionally go deep into the island to show us wetland and farming zones, and deep and hidden gullies.Beyond the attractiveness for hikers and cyclist, the main value of Camí de Cavalls is the wealth and the beauty of the landscapes for which it goes by.
The altimetry of Camí de Cavalls is low: the highest spot is about 135 meters above sea level. The low altitude makes it an affordable path for everybody who enjoys contact with nature and wants to hike in the path calmly.
Yet, Camí de Cavalls covers a coastline occasionally very steep, ploughed by gullies, small canals and valleys, so those wanting a challenge will have to deal with real leg-breaking stretches. In addition, the high temperatures and lack of shade in some sections add an extra difficulty in the summer months.
In any case, Camí de Cavalls is appealing for the practice of hiking, trekking, running and MTB. Almost everything corresponds to narrow paths, often technical, with constant slopes. Some stretches are flat and affordable, while others are rugged and abrupt. The technical difficulty is especially high for bikers, but this also represents great stimulus for lovers of pure mountain biking, with many kilometers of single track.
BRIEF HISTORY OF CAMÍ DE CAVALLS
Camí de Cavalls is cloaked in legend. Its origin is uncertain and could be found with the cavalries, the system in charge of the defence of the island, more or less on the 14th century. Documents found later, on the 17th century, refer to the path as “Camí de Cavallers” (“Path of Knights”).
The primitive function of Camí de Cavalls was military: it was a speculative path, a path that lookouts used to guard the coast and to go from a watchtower to another. In the context of a dangerous Mediterranean, Menorca was under the threat of pirate raids, especially those of the dreaded, ruthless but also famous Barbarossa on the 16th century.
However, throughout history, Camí de Cavalls has carried out a wide range of functions: communication between places near the coast, access to the coast for the fishermen, etc. More recently, Camí de Cavalls has been used to access coves and beaches.
After decades in which many sections were closed, the demands of the citizens and the involvement of island’s government made it possible to reopen the way for everyone to use it. Therefore, in the 21st century the Camí de Cavalls has become a biking and hiking trail internationally well-known.
MENORCA 360º AND THE CAMÍ DE CAVALLS
Menorca 360º hiking programs offer a selection of stages along the Camí de Cavalls that will show you some of the most iconic sections of this path, as well as some of the most stunning landscapes in Menorca.
On the other hand, the Menorca 360º mountain bike routes may include some section of the Camí de Cavalls, but in general they go rather along other paths on the island with the aim of offering routes that are more accessible at a technical level and that show more unknown inland landscapes.
CAMÍ DE CAVALLS 360º MTB
The Camí de Cavalls 360° MTB route provides an exciting track that is both physically and technically demanding, with short but intense uphill and downhill sections. The rugged terrain of the coastline of Menorca makes the track very attractive and also quite challenging. Fun is guaranteed!
The route is specially designed for MTB. It is based on the GR-223 Camí de Cavalls, but offers three route options in order to adapt to the skills or preferences of the participants. In any case, it is not suitable using a bike which is not for mountain-terrain or not in an optimal state of maintenance or to use saddlebags with the bike.
CAMÍ DE CAVALLS 360º HIKING AND TRAIL RUNNING
The Camí de Cavalls 360º Hiking and Trail Running routes run along the GR 223 – Camí de Cavalls in their entirety. Still, 360° offers alternatives, variations and detours to make the best of a route with a unique attractiveness.