Hiking routes in Formentera

ByRafa López Martín
Migjorn beach, in the south, is one of the largest on the island.

Each island of the Balearic archipelago has its own personality, and that of Formentera has a clear hiking profile.. Stony and sandy coasts with stretches of walkways, an agricultural hinterland with fig trees and vineyards, salt lakes with a rich bird population, old watchtowers, lighthouses on steep promontories, Mediterranean vegetation dominated by junipers and traditional paths, make any route of special interest.

Brief history of Formentera

Humans have populated Formentera since prehistoric times. The Phoenicians and Carthaginians gave their name to the Pitiusas islands (Ibiza y Formentera), "PINE ISLANDS"due to the abundance of these trees. Although the name Formentera, seems to be of Roman origin, ".Frumentaria" o "WHEAT ISLAND". When the Roman Empire fell, the island became a Muslim domain until the year 1200, when it was incorporated into the Crown of Aragon. For many years it remained forgotten and at the mercy of piracy, until it was repopulated in the 18th century, developing agricultural and fishing activity as a form of island subsistence. It remained in the shadow of the other Balearic Islands until the 1970s, with the arrival of the ".hippie movement". and its quiet life. This way of understanding the island, together with the traditional paths that criss-cross the island and its low gradient, make it very suitable for the practice of hiking in a relaxed way.

Views of the "Cap de Barbaria", south-western part of Formentera, from the "platja de Migjorn".

Practical guide

When is the best time to go?

Formentera is a Mediterranean island, with mild temperatures all year round and low rainfall. It can be visited in all seasons, although in the summer season, the coastal areas are under a lot of tourist pressure. Bear in mind that there are no water points outside the municipalities, so make sure you are well stocked up on supplies.

How to access?

Formentera has no airport or direct boats from the mainland. The ferries, which take about half an hour, leave from the port of Ibiza and all arrive at "Port de la Savina. Once on the island you have the option of renting a car or motorbike to get around. But we recommend you to use the two public bus linesmanaged by Autocares Paya (Web).

  • L1Circular route between the Port de la Savina, Es Pujols, Sant Ferran y Sant Francesc (capital of the island).
  • L2: Linear path between Port de la Savina, Sant Francesc, Sant Ferran, El Pilar and the Far de la Mola.
Another way to get around is to rent a bicycle and cycle along the island's many traditional trails.

Not to be missed

  • Take a leisurely stroll through Sant Francesc Xavierand have an ice-cream or a coffee in the square.
  • Visiting a "hippie market".
  • Visit "Can MasrroigThe interpretation centre of the information centre of the "PN de ses salines d'Eivissa i Formentera".. With its exhibition and audio-visuals (web)
  • Tasting a "flaóor "mint cheesecake".
  • Take a dip on one of its many idyllic beaches

3 proposals for hiking in Formentera

Below I propose three hiking routes that could well be done in the form of a crossing, linking the east and west ends of the island.

Proposal 1: From Es Pujols along the coast to Port de la Savina.

8.1 km +79m / -73m
On the coastal sections of the first part of the route, we will pass by the sea.
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The route is about 8 km long and starts in the town of Es PujolsWe will walk along the promenade with its characteristic "hippie market". We will find some stretches of path and wooden walkway over the dunes, but most of the time we will walk along the shore of the beach. ses Canyes beach and by that of Llevant.

The vegetation is dominated by junipers, this shrub fixes the sand and is the basis of the dune ecosystem.

We will pass to the other side of the small peninsula and go to look for the "salt mill"This is a former example of the saltworks in the area and is now a restaurant. This part of the route follows a track that is used by vehicles going to the beach area. A little later we will see the "Pou Marès"This is a drinking water well used in the past by the workers in the salt mines. Shortly after, we will enter the village of Port de la SavinaWe can then take the bus back home.

🦎 The little omnipresent lizard

If there is one thing that attracts the attention of walkers on Formentera, it is the multitude of brown, blue or green lizards. Whether among the agricultural walls, among the juniper groves or pine forests, in the urban centres or even on the beach itself, they will surprise you by speeding along the paths. They are the lizards of the Pitiusasunique to these islands. Their diet is omnivorous, eating all kinds of insects, arachnids, snails, carrion, excrement... But they do not disdain plant foods such as nectar, pollen or seeds, thus contributing to pollination and the dispersion of the flora of the islands.

Proposal 2: Crossing of the island between Es Pujols and El Pilar

16.9 km +218m / -77m
Rocky section, at the end of the south coast, before the Mola ledge.
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A very complete hiking route of 17 km, which starts from Es Pujols. We start by following the traditional path of "Ses vinyes"The route, among agricultural walls, mills, rural constructions and vineyards, will lead us to the town of Sant Ferran de ses Roques.

The agricultural landscape of the interior offers a different image of Formentera.

A little later we will access the "Camí Vell de Sa Mola"This will allow us to see the central part of the island with its characteristic mosaic landscape: wooded and agricultural.

The curious fig trees of Formentera

The morphology of the fig trees on Formentera is very peculiar. Farmers have modified them, preventing them from being very tall and have "propped up" their branches to achieve greater horizontal growth. What have they achieved with this: greater yields of figs and figs, improved fruit harvesting and shade to protect livestock from the inclement sun. The most famous one is called "Na blanca de Can Mestre"It is near the "camí vell de la Mola" and has a diameter of 22m.

We change register completely and go through the ".Migjorn beach"On its last piece of rugged coastline, it hides "el caló des Mort and the small boat shelter, en Ram.

As of It is Ram, we enter the wooded area of La Mola.

Now it will be our turn to progressively climb the "camí de s'Estufador"The route leads through junipers and white pines, until it reaches the plain where we find the small village of El Pilar. Here we find some shops, restaurants and the bus stop where the route ends.

Mediterranean vegetation will accompany us on the only notable climb of the route.

Proposal 3: Circular from the Port de la Savina, through the "estany des Peix" and the Gavina tower.

14.0 km (return trip) +110m / -110m
The "Torre de sa Gavina", situated on a rocky esplanade, is one of the four watchtowers built in the 18th century to protect the island from pirate attacks.
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Circular route of about 14 km from the Port de la Savinabordering the "estany des Peix"The lake is connected to the sea by a small marine inlet. Habitat of a large number of birds depending on the time of year: cormorants, ducks, grey herons, marsh harriers, flamingos...

The first section of the route will take us past the "estany des Peix".

The first part of the track takes us to a rest area with benches, located in the middle of a juniper grove. Shortly after, we reach Can MarroigThe information centre of the "PN de ses salines d'Eivissa i Formentera".. We continue through a terrain dotted with junipers until we reach the rocky promontory where we find the Sa Gavina Tower. We choose a different path to return to Can Marroig and from here we retrace our steps.

In the urban area of Port de la Savina we find these salt pans. The pink colour is given by bacteria and microscopic algae that use a photosynthetic pigment of this colour.