Cala de Trebalúger

The reward for the walk is a wide sweep of pale sand between pine-covered cliffs, with clear water and, early in the day, almost nobody on it. The rough path in filters out most of the crowd that fills the easier coves nearby. Nothing has been built here: no bar, no sunbeds, no kiosk, only the beach and the ravine opening behind it.

The bay does draw boats, and families come ashore from them, so the quiet belongs to whoever arrives first. Walkers with energy left can carry on along the coast to Cala Fustam, about another 40 minutes on the trail.

• There are no services: no toilets, no drinking water and no food on the beach or nearby. Bring everything for the day.
• The path in is rough and rocky. Wear proper walking shoes, and think twice before bringing young children.
• Boats anchor in the bay and their passengers come ashore, so the beach is busier than the walk suggests.
• In places the sand smells strongly of rotten eggs, from hydrogen sulphide.

Most people leave the car at the free gravel car park by Cala Mitjana, about 2 km from the beach in a straight line; a second free car park sits a little further out. It fills by mid-morning, so arrive early.

From there it is all on foot: down to Cala Mitjana, then east along the coastal path over rocky, uneven ground. From Cala Mitjana to Cala de Trebalúger takes about 40 minutes. Information boards for the Finca Pública Cala Mitjana, the public estate around the beach, stand near the sand.

Without a car, the nearest bus stop is at the Cala Galdana roundabout, a little over 2 km away in a straight line. The only other way in is by boat.

Best: early morning, from late spring to early autumn. Avoid: late morning to mid-afternoon in July and August.

Before the boats arrive and the car park fills, the beach is nearly empty, and the rough walk in is far easier before the heat builds.