Hiking in Ibiza
Discover the top Ibiza walking areas
Ibiza is a truly beautiful place to head out for a walk or hike. With the abundance of trails to explore you can pop your shoes on and head out to explore the coastline, vineyards or the highest point on the island, the choice is endless.
The beautiful scenery and breath-taking views, sunshine and blue skies make a walk or hike in Ibiza a lovely experience. You can include a coastline in your walk, some historical monuments or do a tour of some of the prettiest villages. There are plenty of secluded coves and bays to explore along the coast, often you can walk between beaches as well along the cliff tops, or inland from the beaches into the pine forests and olive groves.
The highest point on the island is the top of Sa Talaiassa to the south west of San Jose. It stands at a height of 487m. and whilst this may not seem high, in the heat of summer this is a challenge.
The area of Benimussa, known to locals as the Hidden Valley, is another popular hiking area in the southern half of the island, close to Ibiza Town.
Walking and hiking in Ibiza gets more and more popular each year but you will still find that the trails are quiet and sometimes you may feel like you have the route and beautiful views to yourself, with only the wildlife around. There really is so much to offer walkers and there are routes suitable for beginners right through to more advanced walkers.
Walking trails and routes
Despite the excellent trails across the island you will find that vegetation covers markings, paint pointing the way may have faded and there may be long stretches where there are no signposts at all. It's always worth having a good map, to make sure you follow the right path, or are at the very least heading in the right direction! We have compiled a list of hiking routes, ranging from very gentle village walks, to walks where you can enjoy the coastline and the more challenging mountain hiking trails.
City Walks in Ibiza
Although Ibiza is a small island, there are several towns of a size decent enough to walk around. In particular you can easily spend an afternoon or even an entire day walking around the Dalt Vila (Old Town). With plenty of sights and attractions, plus a heavy dose of culture, history and shopping this makes for a really good outing.
National parks routes
The two national parks or nature reserves in Ibiza are not exactly hiking territory. Great for a scramble around or a wander along the beach, the Es Vedra Nature reserve is an island which can be visited by boat. It's possible to walk to the peak at 476m high.
The Las Salinas National Park is a wonderful eco-system that stretches along the coast and into the water, in fact all the way to Formentera. Offering a good example of the interaction between marine and coastal ecosystems, around 75% of this park is in the sea.
Safety advice
Although the footpaths are very well maintained and signposted, you should always exercise caution when venturing into nature.
Before you embark on any activities in Ibiza you should remember that you are likely to encounter more rugged terrain than you are used to at home. For that reason it is particularly recommended that you:
- Are as physically fit as possible - Ensure you are fully aware of your limitations and of those accompanying you (children and elderly people).
- Are appropriately equipped - Choose sturdy footwear with ankle support, warm, water repellent clothing (even if the sun’s been beating down for days), sun cream, sunglasses, map, plenty water, food and snacks, first aid kit....
- Check your itinerary with the Tourist Office - Even the easiest and best marked trails can present unexpected hazards such as rock slides.
- Allow plenty time for your chosen route - Additionally, leave an extra margin in case of incident. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Nightfall may take you by surprise so it is wise to carry a flashlight.
- Stay on the marked trails - This is especially important on steep slopes or precipices. Never take short cuts as doing so causes erosion, channelling the rain water and resulting in deterioration of the trails that are so hard to maintain.
- Check the weather forecast - It is always advisable to check the weather forecast before setting off as this can greatly affect your walk or hike.
- Respect the environment - The surroundings here are breathtakingly beautiful but the balance of nature is very fragile. In order to maintain the beauty of Ibiza; don’t light fires, ensure you take your rubbish with you, leave the flowers for others to admire and avoid making excessive noise that may disturb the wildlife.
- Ensure your dog is kept on a lead where necessary - Look out for signs requesting that you keep your dog on a lead. Some areas are prohibited to dogs altogether, which is done to protect local wildlife.
If you come into any difficulty you should call 112, a rescue/medical service will come and help. You should of course always have travel insurance which includes any activities that you may be undertaking whilst visiting Ibiza.
