With only 18 kilometers in total from end to end, the island of Formentera is the small paradise of the Balearic Islands, a reference in terms of ecological, sustainable and, above all, quality tourism. Its territory, which keeps the beauty and essence of the Mediterranean alive, allows you to enjoy an atmosphere of calm, nature in its purest form and the unspoilt landscape of its paradisiacal beaches of turquoise waters and white sand, which extend along the coast of the island. But Formentera are not just beaches, the interior of the island keeps the secret of that ancient and deep life, which is felt when entering the old roads escorted by dry stone walls.
It is no accident that Formentera is the island of bicycles. Life is simple on the island and everything can be reached by bicycle. In a week, the whole island can be thoroughly explored by the avid pedal pusher, you just have to decide where to start. It doesn’t matter which direction you go, because all the roads of Formentera lead to something beautiful, something interesting, something worthwhile.
There are almost as many kilometers on green roads as on the road with a network of lanes reserved especially for them. There is the so-called green circuit that allows the cyclist to tour the main areas of landscape interest of the island practically without pedaling on asphalt. The endless number of old rural roads has been transformed, with an effective signaling, into the circuit of 32 green routes of which 30 are cyclable.
Once you arrive at the port of La Savina, you can find several bike rental shops. It will be just a matter of putting on a helmet and heading to the villages of Sant Francesc, Sant Ferran or Es Pujols, to stay in one of their hotels and establish the base camp and from there travel the many kilometers of existing bike paths.
Estany Pudent Route
For those who want to take it easy or ride a bike with children, a fairly level ride around the Pudent lagoon, or Estany Pudent, is an interesting day trip, also known as the flamingo lagoon. With a time of approximately 2 and a half hours to travel the circuit, the land and the paved paths take the cyclists along the coast of the lagoon. Its waters are calm and serene, and on most days they reflect the clouds as they cross the skies or the sunset in an orange and coral parade. This is also a good track to watch water birds and admire rural architecture.
Estany d´Es Peix Route
Take the green route n 4 towards Can Marroig through Ses Escoles. After about 3 kilometers, the asphalt gives way to dirt roads that line the fields dotted with giant fig trees, carob trees and old salt mills. Upon arriving at Estany d´Es Peix, the lagoon is bordered, an ideal place to observe the many seagulls, herons and plovers, on a melancholic horizon of salinas. The road ends at Caló de s´Oli beach. From here you can walk to Punta de Sa Pedrera. Continue along the stony path that soon ends at the Sa Boca pass, which separates the lagoon from the sea. Ideal place to see how the sun is hidden by the silhouette of the islet of Es Vedrà.
Route to La Mola by Es Caló
La Mola, the only mountain on the island is the ideal destination for those looking for an extreme experience. In the morning, you leave Sant Francesc towards Sant Ferran, taking the n 16 road that runs parallel to the road.
Once in Sant Ferran, take the road n 21 towards the beach of Cala En Baster, located inside a bay in the form of “u”. As if it were an amphitheater, from the top of the cliff you can see how from the waters rudimentary wooden beams emerge to slide the llauds (traditional boats) to the caves that make a pier.
Continue south until the road intersects with the path n 15, which goes into the more rural Formentera. Country houses, centuries-old fig trees in whose shadow goats and sheep are sheltered and a meandering line of marès (dry stone walls) that leads to the picturesque town of Es Caló, where its spectacular coves of sand and rock retain a wild aspect. The terraces of the tiny fishing port invite you to regain strength while admiring the palette of blue green waters considered the purest and most crystalline in the Mediterranean.
From Es Caló part of the path n 25 that leads to the Pilar de la Mola. The ascent by road requires considerable effort, since it is the highest point of the island and where the lighthouse known as “The Julio Verne´s Lighthouse” is located.
Unlike the rest of the island, La Mola is covered with powerful pine trees that emit a deliciously heavy aroma.
If the climb does not leave you breathless, the view from La Mola will. From here, Formentera is exhibited revealing the two coasts of the island at the same time, a very impressive view.
If the mountain bike is your fort, you can try to go to La Mola by the old roman road, or from Sa Pujada, which clings to the cliffs. Although it is not advisable to do it by bicycle, it is worth doing it walking to contemplate the best views of Formentera.
Route to the Barbaria Lighthouse
The trail n 10 starts from Sant Francesc and leads directly to Cape of Barbaria, at the southern end of the island. The last 3 kilometers, where the road and the asphalt become one, a lunar landscape appears from which the Barbaria Lighthouse emerges. His silhouette has become part of the collective imaginary since he starred, along with Paz Vega on a motorcycle, the poster of the film “Lucía y el sexo”.
In addition to observing a magical sunset, it is worth visiting Cova Foradada, a hole in the ground that leads to an underground gallery with a balcony over the cliff.
Watching the sunset is a very widespread ritual in Formentera and Cala Saona is one of the most popular “sanctuaries”. Leaving behind the famous lighthouse and through the trail n 9 you reach this spectacular beach of fine white sand. Cala Saona is located inside a bay bounded on both sides by cliffs of reddish rocks. These, when the sun says goodbye with its last rays, acquire an incandescent red color that when contrasted with the intense blue of the sky allows to admire a landscape of postcard.
Route of the Savina to Ses Illetes
The route leads to the most spectacular and famous beaches of the island: Ses Illetes and Levante, which are located on both sides of a long tongue of sand.
From the port of La Savina you take the path n 1 that leads to the paradisiacal beach of Ses Illetes. On the way to Cala d´En Borràs you can see the dune system dotted with pine and junipers that guarantee the appreciated shade during the summer.
Es Molí d´Es Carregador, one of the four windmills in Formentera, marks the beginning of Ses Illetes. From here, it becomes an elongated tongue of dunes and sand that dies in Es Pas, where one can recreate in the confrontation of the water currents that separate Formentera from its greater islet, s’Espalmador. It can be reached by walking after a long crossing and swimming, or walking if the current is not very strong, but the most comfortable way is always by boat. Espalmador is the desert island we have always dreamed of, wild and uninhabited that represents the playful spirit of a Formentera that radiates magnetism in its purest form.
