Torre des Savinar

You walk the trail, the scrub opens, and suddenly Es Vedrà is there: a huge rock islet rising out of the sea, with the cliff falling away right in front of you. That first sight is the reason to come.

Most people stop at the overlook below the tower and stay there for the evening, watching the sun go down over the open sea. The round stone tower stands higher up the hill, built in the 1750s to keep watch on this coast. The climb to it is rougher going, and the view from the top takes in the whole bay.

• The direct way up to the tower is not always open. When it is shut, the cliff walk beside it still looks out over the bay.
• From the overlook to the tower there is no clear path: a narrow climb between rocks and trees. Wear sturdy shoes.
• There are no toilets and no drinking water at the tower or nearby. Bring plenty of water.
• The carved pools of Sa Pedrera (Atlantis), below on the far side of the hill, are much harder to reach. Do not go on without extra water.
• Not suited to young children or wheelchairs: the car parks are unpaved and the trail is rough.

You arrive by car. The free car park is unpaved and sits about 1.4 km from the tower in a straight line; a private unpaved lot lies closer, about 900 m away. From the parking the walk to the overlook facing Es Vedrà is easy.

The last part, up to the tower itself, is a different matter. There is no clear path, and the way winds narrowly between rocks and trees. Many people turn back at the overlook.

The nearest bus stops, including Es Cubells, are more than 3 km away in a straight line, so the bus alone does not bring you close.

Best: late afternoon into sunset.

Avoid: the middle of a summer day.

The evening is when the light softens over Es Vedrà and the sea, while at midday in summer the climb is hard work in the heat, with no water anywhere on the way.