This unique stage race will tour Menorca on November 4, 5 and 6. The route of the Experience 360º modality for the eighth edition will be memorable. Impressive landscapes and a huge sports challenge, but more affordable than its bigger sister, the TrailRun modality.
The experience of Camí de CavalIs 360º in 3 selected stages, with an average of 31 km and 480 m of elevation gain, that sum up the diverse landscapes of a unique island. The Experience 360º is a reduced version of TrailRun Epic 360º, created for those who want to enjoy the Epic 360º either walking or running.
It is 93 km long in total, with an elevation gain of 1.435 meters. The runner Anna Comet, winner of the last edition of the Experience 360º race, will help us to uncover the route.
Stage 1: Addaia – Maó
Distance: 31 km
Elevation gain: 633 m
The stage starts at Punta de sa Torre d’Addaia, with beautiful views of this place in the north of the island. The route crosses Addaia and skirts the Port of Addaia while approaching the Natural Park of s’Albufera des Grau. The landscape of the Mongofra salt pans is already part of it. The route crosses cultivation areas until it reaches the coast again, near the Pou d’en Caldes cove.
Next, a paved section brings the runners to Favàritx (km 10.3). From there on, different kinds of paths, trails and sandy areas will alternate, all the while passing through several coves such as Arenal d’en Morella or Cala Tortuga, Sa Torreta or Tamarells. Es Grau marks the last stretch within the Natural Park.
From the Caleta de Binillautí and up to Sa Mesquida, two short but intense climbs await us, mostly on a narrow trail, in an area of low vegetation. To finish the stage, from the Raconada de sa Mesquida Vella, the route enters a restricted access area in the Sant Isidre area and takes the runners to the Maó naval base. We will go around Pinto Island before crossing the finish line, located on one of the docks of the naval base, formerly used by submarines.
Comments by Anna Comet:
We find a good example of the diversity of the island. In the same stage we go through sections of coast, inland stretches with forest, and now we are in an area of fields, already inside the Natural Park.
In the Favàritx area, there are less than 20 km left to reach the finish line. It really is an easy running area… We are a little less than 10 km from the finish line, we come from a very beautiful trail area, with more coastal sections, others with forest trails, and now we will do the last three climbs before facing the final descent to the finish line.
Stage 2: Es Canutells – Cala Galdana
Distance: 31 km
Elevation gain: 587 m
A stage that covers the south of Menorca in all its splendor, with its limestone cliffs, white sand beaches surrounded by pine forests and ravines that give character to its relief.
It starts at Es Canutells and the first section crosses the Calescoves ravine before reaching Cala en Porter and the second refreshment point (km 5.9). The ravines of Cala en Porter and Llucalari are the forecourt of Son Bou. The route crosses the urbanization, as well as the mouths of the Becs and Son Boter ravines before returning to the coast at Platja de Talis.
From here, the route follows the coastline until reaching the finish line, with sections of the Camí de Cavalls and other unprecedented sections along a coastal trail. The stage passes through many coves and beaches such as Sant Tomàs, Binigaus, Cala Escorxada, Cala Fustam, Trebalúger and Cala Mitjana. The terrain is very hard, rocky and leg-breaking.
The finish line, after crossing the entire beach of Cala Galdana, is located in front of the ARTIEM Audax, the official hotel of the race.
The comments by Anna Comet:
We are in the southern half of the island, an area with many ravines, like in Llucalari. They are short sections in general, but they really make it a very leg-breaking track.
From Binigaus we enter a coastal trail that is already outside the Camí de Cavalls. It is a spectacular and unprecedented section, which will be hard due to its rocky and irregular terrain. It’s 7 km of super technical terrain. It does not have too much climbing, but the fact is that it does not let you run smoothly. It is an end of stage that will really make a difference.
When we left behind the most technical and rocky part and we have 3 km left through the forest before reaching the finish line.
Stage 3: Ciutadella – Cala Galdana
Distance: 31 km
Elevation gain: 215 m
Stage that runs through the west of Menorca, characterized by the great contrasts between the hard rocky stretches of coast, forest areas and the characteristic white sand coves of the south. The start is located in front of Sant Nicolau castle in Ciutadella, and it soon connects with the Camí de Cavalls.
After leaving Cap d’Artrutx behind (km 45.2), the route passes by some of Menorca’s most renowned beaches. Son Saura (km 54.4), Cala des Talaier and Cala en Turqueta are the first ones. The route separates at this point from the Camí de Cavalls to follow a coastal trail and pass through Macarelleta and Macarella.
Runners will still have to overcome a final climb before approaching Cala Galdana and crossing the finish line, located again in front of the ARTIEM Audax, the official hotel of the race.
The comments by Anna Comet:
This stage goes all the time through the limestone platform of the island, a very technical, demanding and rocky area. A land where you don’t make a single straight step. It is very, very demanding on a technical level and for your feet.
Towards the end of the stage, the very rocky terrain is combined with beautiful coves, white sand and turquoise sea, which is what we all want to see.
