At the extreme of a Mediterranean island, far from the stirring of the beaches frequented by thousands of tourists all the summers, there is a nook where the weather ‘seems’ to stop. To get there, it is not enough to point in the GPS or follow signs to the sand. You have to walk, withstand the heat, and cross landscapes that look like a “other planet.” But what is at the end of the rail compensates for each step.
The beach that in the idealistic words seems to be “another planet” is called Cala Pilar and is in the north of Spanish, Spain. This is one of the island’s most remote corners, accessible only on foot, through a rail of about 2.5 kilometers. The absence of direct access and the physical requirement of the route makes most tourists never discover it.
Colors that are not catalog
The first impact on Cala Pillar is visual: instead of the usual golden tones of the Mediterranean beaches, here the sand is a rusty red. According to the same source, this intense color results from ferrous minerals accumulated for millions of years. The escaped cliffs and fossilized dunes surrounding the sand reinforce the feeling that one has reached an unusual place.
The route to the beach includes an unexpected stop. Prior to the final descent, the walkers find a large holiday. It writes the same source that this tree served as shelter to pastors and smugglers, when this island region was even more isolated. Today continues to offer shadow to those who face the way on hot days.
No bar, no network, no haste
There are no bars, loungers or ambient music. The only constant sound is the wind and the seagulls that fly over the zone. The beach is part of a protected area integrated in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which contributes to the preservation of its natural and wild character.
The way to Cala Pilar begins on the C-721 road, between Ferreria and Ciutadella. To kilometer 34, an exit gives access to a rural road. After four kilometers the asphalt ends, giving way to a rail on a beaten dirt. Explains the idealist that, from this point, the only option is to continue on foot. The walk takes about 45 minutes and goes through Mediterranean Forest and arid zones with low signaling.
The reward at the end of the route
It should be noted that getting to Cala Pillar implies effort. The sea, of a transparent blue, contrasts with the red of the cliffs, creating an unusual landscape. It adds the publication that the combination of almost surreal colors and the absence of infrastructures make the experience immersive and distinct from any other on the island.
Recommendations before departure
Preparation is essential. It refers to what it is important to bring proper water, food and footwear. The northern minor is more exposed to the wind, so it should be seen the weather forecasts before advanced. And, as in any protected area, it is asked for visitors to respect the environment and collect their own garbage.
Among the elements that make Cala Pillar unique are the petrified dunes, formed during the Pleistocene. According to the publication, these geological formations witness old changes at sea level and reinforce the uniqueness of the landscape.
Beach outside the commercial circuits
Cala Pilar does not usually appear on the lists of “best beaches of minorca”. This contributes to its isolation and preservation. It underlines the same source as the rail removes mass tourism and protects the nature from the constant pressure of visitors.
The time that extends in silence
Silence is a constant all over the ride to the beach of Areia Vermelha. For those who get to the end of the walk, the experience is more than a visit to a beach: it is a reunion with one side of the island that few know.
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