From Maó to Es Grau

de fr

A walk starting from the Church of Santa Maria, on the island’s east coast; a route with a slight climb but no real difficulty, featuring beaches, small villages and a museum. The path doesn’t offer much shade in hot weather, but there are stunning views all along the way. At the end of the walk, you’re guaranteed a swim at Es Grau with its beautiful fine-sand beach.

Details

n°18781177
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.28 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 558 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 689 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 217 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 ft
  • ⚐ Country: Spain
  • ⚐ City: Maó 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 39.889106° / E 4.264503°
  • ⚑
    End: N 39.949368° / E 4.26787°
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Description of the walk

(S) With the Church of Santa Maria on your right, head north.

(1) Walk past the Menorca Museum and the Church of Sant Francesc. Turn right onto Costa de ses Piques, which leads to the Moll de Ponent. Continue in the same direction.

(2) Turn right to continue along the harbour and, once at the end, turn right again and pass the Maó thermal power station.

(3) At the roundabout, turn left and continue straight on along the ME-3. You’ll come to a Fork in the road.

(4) Turn left. Further on, pass a road on the left and then another on the right leading to Es Murtar, and you’ll reach the village of Sa Mesquida.

(5) Drive through the village, turning left. Pass the stadium and drive alongside Sa Rinconada beach at a distance, enjoying magnificent views of the ocean.

(6) At the junction, carry on to the right. Pass S’Esquena d’Ase beach, go past Morro des Macar and keep to the right at the fork. Then turn left and head inland. Keep heading north-west to reach Cudia Vella.

(7) Turn left.

(8) Cross the Me-5 and head straight on along the track, which continues as a path skirting Sa Bassa before rejoining the Me-5.

(9) Turn left and continue along this road. Pass the ponds on your left, then the stadium on your right, and arrive at the village of Es Grau (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 138 ft - Church of Santa Maria
  2. 1 : mi 0.24 - alt. 131 ft - Menorca Museum
  3. 2 : mi 0.72 - alt. 16 ft - T-junction, turn right
  4. 3 : mi 1.29 - alt. 62 ft - Roundabout, turn left
  5. 4 : mi 2.16 - alt. 197 ft - Fork in the road, turn left
  6. 5 : mi 3.22 - alt. 10 ft - Sa Mesquida
  7. 6 : mi 4.5 - alt. 138 ft - Junction, turn right
  8. 7 : mi 5.91 - alt. 171 ft - Cudia Vella
  9. 8 : mi 6.46 - alt. 36 ft - Me-5
  10. 9 : mi 6.92 - alt. 13 ft - Me-5
  11. E : mi 7.28 - alt. 16 ft - Es Grau

Notes

Drinking fountain and toilets at the stadium.
Picnic table at Cudia vella.

Worth a visit

Maó Harbour.
Church of Santa Maria in Maó.
Menorca Museum.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Patrick PREVOST
Patrick PREVOST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I agree with the previous review: we set off from Mesquida, not Maon; there’s a small car park opposite the little island, and that works just as well. However, we did the whole round trip (14.41 km and 5 hours 25 minutes in total), as the buses don’t run out of season. On the way back, we had a quick dip at the beach just before the tower – it’s brilliant before heading back to the car!
Important information: At point 8, do not carry on straight ahead along the narrow path as indicated: the path leads into private property and is not maintained; it’s better to follow the road to ES GRAU.

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françois.rudinger
françois.rudinger

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but why start it in Maó? The first 4 kilometres run alongside a very busy road with no pavements and blind bends (dangerous and completely uninteresting), whereas the walk could start at the beach car park (Parking Sa Mesquida Playa) after point 5. The rest of the walk is simply magnificent, with a wealth of wildlife to spot (birds and turtles).

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