A route for active souls who always want more
No hurry. Take it step by step. Ibiza’s longest hiking trail invites you to tour the municipality of Santa Eulària in stages. At your own pace. Any time of year. A path to discover – or rediscover – our natural and cultural landscapes with a relaxed gaze and an active body. Whether you’re walking or pedalling, it’s the perfect plan for energetic travellers. So, when are you coming to do the Great Route?
Santa Eulària des Riu has 14 hiking itineraries, all of which follow a circular path and can accommodate skill levels from easy to medium to high; among these, the Great Route is the longest. Measuring a total of 63 kilometres, the trail is designed to be done in stages and is suitable for the general public. Best of all, it brings together nature, gastronomy, sport and culture by taking the walker or cycler to fourteen different sight-seeing and heritage sites, some of which are largely unknown to the general public, such as Cala Espart, the s’Argamassa aqueduct, and the Montserrat Tower. Indeed, this route takes you on an extraordinary journey along our coast, through our hills, and across our rural landscapes. Nor does it neglect your need to stop for rest and replenishment, factoring in visits where the wayfarer can sample the specialities of Ibicenco cuisine.
The Great Route: An itinerary through the great outdoors
The 63 kilometres that make up the island’s longest hiking route are a composite of various trails which have been linked up (namely R6, R3, R) by means of new pathways, or old dirt tracks which have been repaired, such as Camí des Pedrisset. Thanks to these connections, you can choose which specific stages you want to do, and where exactly you want to pick up the itinerary, allowing you to traverse the full route in two, three, four, five, or more days. You can personalize the route by choosing where you’ll start on any given day, opting to do only certain segments of the route, or spontaneously deciding to veer off onto other routes that intersect with this one, such as R.
And if you’re doing the trail by bike, you can extend it by taking any of the dozen other bicycle tourism routes in Santa Eulària.
The 14 stops on the Great Route (R14)
The proposed itinerary of the Gran Ruta (download PDF) starts and ends at the Santa Eulària town hall. From there, it heads south towards Cala Llonga and S’Estanyol, then turns northwest after passing Jesús and continues towards Santa Gertrudis, where it reaches the halfway point. From here, the route crosses the fields under Puig d’Atzaró to reach the Las Dalias Market, where it heads towards Es Canar and then back to Santa Eulària.
The proposed itinerary for the Great Route (download PDF) has its start and finish at the Santa Eulària Town Hall. From there it heads south to Cala Llonga and s’Estanyol and then turns northeast after reaching Jesús, carrying on to Santa Gertrudis, which marks the trail’s halfway point. From there, the route crosses through the farmlands that spread out under Puig d’Atzaró until it reaches Las Dalias market, where it turns toward Es Canar, and from there, back to Santa Eulària.
- Santa Eulària Town Hall. Start and end of the stop, it was built in the 19th century and still maintains the original architectural elements.
2. Cala Espart. A small cove accessible only on foot, it is named after esparto, a perennial grass whose plant fiber has been traditionally used on the island.
3. Jesús Church. Inside it houses the Osona altarpiece, a late Gothic work of art, the most outstanding religious artwork in Ibiza.
4. Camí de Pedrisset: an old path that preserves an excellent example of walls built with the traditional Mediterranean dry stone technique, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
5. Santa Gertrudis Church. This church has the highest bell tower on the island and is the only Ibizan temple whose choir is accessed by an external staircase.
6. Labritja Tourist Trail. A section of an old path recovered from the municipality of Sant Joan, next to which are the bridges of sa Llosa and Cas Roig.
7, 8, and 9. Towers of can Rieró, can Jaumet, and can Montserrat: excellent examples of estate towers, one of the architectural elements of traditional Ibizan housing.
10. Font d’Atzaró. Traditional fountain accompanied by a laundry and a safareig (pond)
11. Las Dalias Hippy Market. One of the essential visits in Ibiza, where you will surely stop if you arrive there on a Saturday.
12. True Hippy Market Es Canar. The other emblematic market of Ibiza will call for a stop if you pass it on a summer Wednesday.
13. Roman aqueduct of s’Argamassa: an archaeological site of great heritage and hydraulic wealth located between Cala Pada and Punta Arabí.
14. Punta de s’Església Vella: the last stop before returning to Santa Eulària offers a fantastic panoramic view of the bay and the marina of the town.
1. Santa Eulària Town Hall: The beginning and the end of the trail, this structure was built in the 19th century and retains all elements of its original architecture.
2. Cala Espart: A small cove that can be reached only on foot and whose name derives from esparto grass, a fibrous perennial plant used extensively in traditional island basketry and footwear.
3. The Church of Jesús: The interior of this church contains the Late Gothic Osona Altarpiece, the island’s most outstanding work of religious art.
4. Camí de Pedrisset: This time-honoured road contains an excellent example of drystone walling, the traditional Mediterranean technique known locally as pedre en sec and declared a form of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
5. The church of Santa Gertrudis: This church boasts the tallest belfry on the island, in addition to being the only church in Ibiza whose choir is reached by means of an outdoor stairway.
6. Touristic trail of Labritja: This stretch of old road has been refurbished by the municipality of Sant Joan and contains two bridges: Sa Llosa and Cas Roig.
7, 8 and 9: The towers of can Rieró, can Jaument and can Montserrat: all excellent examples of inland defence towers, one of the striking architectural features in the traditional Ibicenco farmhouse.
10. Font d’Atzaró: traditional spring with a nearby laundry basin and safareig (water reservoir)
11. Las Dalias Hippie Market: One of Ibiza’s most popular happenings – and, if it’s a Saturday, you’re sure to stop.
12. True Hippie Market Es Canar: The other emblematic market in Ibiza, where you won’t be able to resist a look-see if you go on a Wednesday in summer.
13. S’Argamassa Roman aqueduct: archaeological site of great importance, testifying to an ancient hydraulic system located between Cala Pada and Punta Arabí.
14. Punta de s’Església Vella (Old Church Point): This last stop before heading back to Santa Eulària gives you a marvellous panoramic view over the town’s bay and sports marina.
Restaurants and hotels on the route: Traditional and with charm
The Great Route also passes by several restaurants, rural hotels, and agritourist guesthouses which allow you to combine hiking with culinary and leisure experiences. Along its 63 kilometres, you will find 50 dining establishments that make up our selection of Restaurants with Charm and Tradition à la Carte, where you can replenish your energy as you enjoy a quality meal. And if you decide to stop overnight, you can stay at any one of the 6 Hotels with Charm located near the trail, or even stay in a different one every night.
Download the Great Route in PDF and discover beforehand the hotels and restaurant that await you on each stage of your journey. Perhaps you’d like to book a table for midday, or spend the night after a day of walking – the perfect final touch for a hiking expedition or a bicycle tour on the Great Route.
