Santa Águeda

The view from the top runs all the way round, and to the north it reaches the coast. Getting there is part of it: the way up follows an ancient Roman road, still cobbled, climbing to a long plateau 264 m above sea level, the third-highest ground on Menorca behind Monte Toro and S'Enclusa.

The castle on top is a ruin. Its story carries more weight than its walls. In 1287 Menorca's Arab inhabitants made their last stand here against Alfonso III of Aragon, whose conquest the island marks every 17 January as its National Day. On that same date in 2007 the Island Council of Menorca announced it had bought the castle from its private owners.

• There are no toilets and no drinking water at the castle or nearby. Carry water, and more of it in summer.
• The path is old cobbles, uneven underfoot and slippery when wet, so wear shoes with grip.
• There is no car park at the start of the path, so plan for extra walking from wherever you leave the car.
• The castle is an open ruin with no information point nearby. The walk and the view are the reward.

There is no car park at the start of the path. The nearest public car park is about 3 km in a straight line from the castle, and the nearest bus stop, in Ferreries, is about 4.7 km away in a straight line. Either way, the day includes a stretch of walking before the climb begins.

The last part is the old Roman road, still cobbled, which climbs for up to 1.5 km to the plateau. The ruins stand at the top, and the view opens out as you reach them.

Best: winter and spring, on a clear day.

Avoid: summer, especially the middle of the day.

The climb is hot work in summer with no water nearby, and the view in every direction is the reason to go up, so it needs a clear sky.