Coastal hike from Santa Agnes
Intermediate & sometimes steep coastal hike from Santa Agnes
Santa Agnes, a tiny hamlet in the north-west of Ibiza that doesn’t get much in the way of tourist traffic but does make a good starting point for a hike along some truly epic coastline.
The towns elevation of 200m above sea level gives you a head start on this hike that will take you to the edge of sheer dramatic cliffs without the need for a climb, as well as show you two hidden beaches and incredible views from Cap Negret headland.
This hike takes roughly 90-minutes but there are options to cut it shorter along the way should you wish to. The trail is rugged in most places, generally fairly easy but does have a few steep sections. Mostly deserted even in peak summer, you probably won't meet anyone and you’ll hear nothing but the buzz of cicadas and the waves breaking at the base of the cliffs below.
What to bring
Proper footwear is required and plenty of water. There are no refreshment stops until you reach the restaurant at Cap Negret and no shops in Santa Agnes, so purchase water from a supermarket before you leave.
What to see
Sights in Ibiza
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Santa Agnes Church, Santa Agnes
Situated in the west of Ibiza the small town of Santa Agnes comprises just two restaurants and a beautiful church.
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Ses Fontanelles Cave Paintings
The cave of Ses Fontanelles is situated in an area of beautiful rocky cliffs between Santa Agnes and San Antonio. Inside, there are pre-historic paintings.
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Sant Mateu Church, Sant Mateu d'Albarca
There is not much to the village of Sant Mateu in the west of the island of Ibiza, but the church takes up a fairly large mass of land in the middle of it.
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San Antonio Church
The church of San Antonio dates back to the 14th century, however like many other churches, only some of the original building remains.
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San Miguel Church, San Miguel
Beautiful and simple church that is situated on top of the hill overlooking the town of San Miguel and the surrounding countryside.
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Santa Gertrudis Church, Santa Gertrudis
The local church sits in the centre of the village and was founded 1797, although building actually began in 1785.
Where to lunch
When you’ve cooled off sufficiently in the sea and conquered the steep hike back up to the main Cami des Pla de Coruna, continue right through beautiful farmland and scenes of rural idyll until you reach Las Puertas Del Cielo (heaven’s gate) restaurant, easy to spot from the road. Stop here for a drink or lunch amidst the trees and look out on the incredible ocean view. Walk to the very edges of the cliffs and along to the left until you reach the rocky headland of Cap Negret where more simply epic views await you. Look to the south from here and you can see all the way to the island of Conillera south of Sant Antonio bay.
From here it’s a simple walk back to the village of Santa Agnes.
Restaurants in Ibiza
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Aiyanna Restaurant
This restaurant serves dishes with a modern take on fresh, healthy Mediterranean food, where bold flavours, organic produce and innovative sharing platters dominate.
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Destino Restaurant & Poolside Bar
From buffet breakfast to tapas lunch and all-night menu, this restaurant located at Destino Pacha Ibiza Resort serves delicious international cuisine indoor or at their terrace around the pool. You can even book a sunbed and enjoy their cocktails and poolside menu all day.
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Eden Restaurant & Lounge, nr San Miguel
Located in the beautiful five star hotel Hacienda Na Xamena, the restaurant is perched on the edge of one of the hotel's swimming pools.
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Tatel Restaurant
Founded by partners Rafa Nadal, Enrique Iglesias, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pau Gasol, this restaurant in Ibiza is the third of a chain that opened in Madrid and Miami. They serve updated traditional Spanish recipes and boast a chic 1920's dining room with sea views inside the Hard Rock Hotel.
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Cafe Montesol Restaurant & Bar
Offering uninterrupted service throughout the day, at this restaurant & bar you can have breakfast, brunch, gourmet lunch & dinner and tapas with wine or a cocktail.
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Ushuaia Beach Club
The coolest chill-out music in Ibiza, the most exclusive ambience, quality cuisine and customer service that redefines the real meaning of VIP have turned this beach club into one of the most exciting places on the island, summer after summer.
Directions
Begin in Santa Agnes in the large car park beside Sa Palmera restaurant and walk west down Cami des Pla De Coruna. This road will lead you through farmland until you reach a stone structure with a white pyramid roof, this old well is your marker to turn off the paved road which veers to the left, whilst you continue straight on up a dirt track. Follow this trail as it winds its way into the thickly forested hills, the path will become rougher underfoot with loose stones and tree roots poking through the red earth. The trees part occasionally to give you a glimpse back across the plains of Santa Agnes.
Keep walking along this rough trail until you spot the sea through the trees and cliffs. This is the Ses Balandres gorge, the locals call it Heavens gate and it’s easy to see why, the sea appears as if from nowhere and the scenery is suddenly breathtaking. You’ll find yourself stood at the edge of the gorge and you can climb down here to the sea below and our first hidden beach. The sight of the stunning blue water below is very tempting, but the path is extremely steep and remember that a steep climb down means a steep climb up. If you don’t fancy it keep walking around the edge of the gorge following the blue arrows painted on the trail, this will lead you to a look out point above the gorge from where the scenery is truly breathtaking and not for anyone afraid of heights.
The impossibly sheer cliffs drop away below you to the sea and the horseshoe shaped islet of Ses Margalides, the ocean stretches out undisturbed to the horizon. When you’ve gazed your fill and burnt out your camera trying to capture it all, retrace your steps to the gorge entrance and follow a rough path into the trees away from the sea, after five minutes walking through the forest you’ll emerge upon dirt road which will lead you either right down to our second hidden beach or left back to the main road if you want to cut the hike short.
Sa Illot beach is easier to reach than the first, the walk is still steep but it’s along easier covered road to a strange sandless area of rocks and boulders with a slight disused quarry feel to it. The silence and air of abandonment is a little eerie and when you reach the place where a half-built stone gateway flanks a road leading to nowhere you may start to feel like explorers in an abandoned land. Not to worry though the view makes up for it, and you can swim in undisturbed waters backed by sheer cliffs with not another person in sight even in peak august.
