Travelling cyclists need not fear steep climbs anywhere on Menorca. With one exception: if you are looking for the best view of the island, you should be prepared for a few hairpin bends and around 300 metres of ascent to Monte Toro. Incidentally, the island's landscape is characterised by something quite unique: the meticulously stacked dry stone walls that separate fields and pastures. They are said to be 15,000 kilometres long in total.
Character:
With the exception of Monte Toro, Menorca has no serious inclines. The landscape is predominantly flat to gently undulating. Apart from a few main routes, car traffic is limited. A direct circumnavigation of the island is not possible due to the lack of a coastal road, but there are some interesting short tours and circular tours in the interior of the island. The island government has signposted some routes especially for cyclists. As many paths are not asphalted, a robust trekking bike with good tread tyres is recommended. A light windscreen won't do any harm. Please note that helmets are compulsory in Spain!
Tour tips:
Tour 1: Menorca's west, from Cala Galdana or Ciutadella, 90 km
Best time to travel: April to June and early September to the end of October.
Journey:
Holiday jets from several airports in Germany to Mahon during the tourist season. Taking a bike costs approx. 30-50 euros. Otherwise you have to change planes in Barcelona, Palma or Madrid.
Bike shops/rental:
Many hotels and holiday resorts, especially on the coast, rent bicycles. For larger repairs you have to go to Ciutadella or Mahon.
Cycling hotels:
Although there are not (yet) any special hotels for cyclists, there is a wide range of accommodation in all categories.
All-inclusive:
A week's cycling holiday "Menorca - island impressions" costs from 998 euros including flights from Germany, half board, 5 day tours, bike hire etc. http://www.wikinger.de
Map/literature:
Relatively accurate and with various hiking and cycling routes:
Kompass hiking, leisure and road map no. 243 "Menorca" 1:50,000, 8.95 euros.
The Michael Müller travel guide "Menorca", 264 pages, 15.90 euros, provides a detailed overview of the island and interesting background information.
Information (general):
Spanish Tourist Office, Kurfürstendamm 63, 10707 Berlin, Tel. 06123/99134, Fax 030/8826-543. http://www.spain.info
Internet:
http://www.menorca-web.de, http://www.menorca-info.de (the most important travel information about the island)
