Malta & Gozo

Fly from London to Malta. On arrival transfer by road to the Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa for 5 nights’ accommodation.

WalksDistance: 7.4 milesAscent: 350Descent: 350You start today at the village of Bidnija and head towards the fortifications known as the Victoria Lines. Built by the British in the 19th C along a natural geographical fault line.  You can see the remains of the defensive positions, which stretch some 12km across the island, and appreciate views over the northern part of Malta before you leave then behind and head to Mdina. This medieval walled town is the old capital of the island and has earned the name ‘Silent City’, as only the cars of residents are allowed inside. You will be free to wander through the maze of streets and alleyways and appreciate the very fine buildings and churches.On your way back to our hotel you will stop off to look at Mosta Church. The dome is the third largest in Europe and in WWII a bomb pierced it and landed in the packed church but didn’t explode. miles

WalksDistance: 9.5 milesAscent: 350Descent: 350This walk starts just outside the village of Mgarr, from there you head for the coast and your first cliff top walk. With the azure-coloured sea to your left, the route is in a northerly direction where you will pass towers built by the Knights of St John, perhaps a coffee at Golden Bay, one of the finest beaches on the island, before heading to the distant ‘Red Tower’. This tower, built in the reign of Grand Master Lascaris in 1649, was manned during both World Wars and commands extensive views to Gozo and Comino. From here you walk back to your hotel passing Mellieha Bay, where you might be tempted to pause for a swim, from this popular beach.This walk is towards the top end of the grade however there is a convenient public bus should you wish to cut the walk short. Just have a chat with your leader. National Trust members can enter the Red Tower for free, if you have a membership please bring your card with you. miles

WalksDistance: 3.7 milesAscent: 100Descent: 100You drive to the south east coast of Malta to begin your morning walk from St Thomas’s Bay. This cliff top walk will take you past a number of splendid bays and finish in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, Malta’s second largest natural harbour. It was here that the Ottoman Turks landed for their attack which became known as the Great Siege of 1565.From here you will transfer to the islands capital Valletta, built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century, you will have the afternoon to take in the many sights this historic city has to offer with a local guide. If you wish to spend the whole of this day in Valletta that can be easily arranged. miles

WalksDistance: 8 milesAscent: 280Descent: 330This walk takes you to the south west of the island and starts at Buskett Gardens, a former hunting ground of the Knights, and home to Verdala Palace, the summer residence of the President of Malta. Leaving the gardens you head for ‘Clapham Junction’, so called because of a complex network of tracks gouged in the rocks. Close by are cave dwellings occupied, possibly from prehistoric times, until 1835 when the British administration re settled the residents.Heading up to the high point of Laferla Cross for extensive views before dropping down to the coast and your visit to the temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, built 3600 to 3000BC. There will be free time to visit the temples and visitor centre. miles

Walks

Distance: 3 miles

Ascent: 100

Descent: 100

Today you take to the sea as you transfer by road and ferry to the island of Gozo for your remaining 5 nights’. There should be enough time to take in a circular walk around Marsalforn in the afternoon and to see the hill of Tas Salvatur, close up. miles

WalksDistance: 10 milesAscent: 350Descent: 350Gozo awaits you to explore as you walk from your hotel, along the coast, before heading inland towards the islands capital Victoria. You will have free time to visit the Citadel, first fortified during the Bronze Age and then a wander through Rabat, suburb of the walled city, and have lunch. You regroup and start the moderate ascent to Xaghra which boasts one of Gozo’s most important archaeological sites, Ggantija. The temples here date from 3600-3200BC and it was once thought that giants built them as some of the megaliths exceed 5 metres in height. You leave the temples and walk back through pleasant countryside back to Marsalforn. miles

WalksDistance: 10.5 milesAscent: 300Descent: 400The walk stars today in the village of Santa Lucia and from here you head to the west coast of Gozo. On your way you pass by Dwejra Tower, built by Grand Master Lascaris, and then down to the Inland Sea, a lagoon connected to the Mediterranean by a natural archway. You will have free time to see the site of the once famed ‘Azure Window’ which collapsed into the see in 2017 and take the short boat trip through the natural arch, and out to sea and back. From here you have a moderate ascent heading to the sleepy villages of San Lawrenz and Għarb where you have the option of visiting the sanctuary of Ta Pinu a centre of religious devotion. You then head for the north coast where from, a safe distance, you can view the sea through a rock cut arch. You head east along the coast, passing salt pans which mainly date from the 19th century but salt on Gozo has been produced since Roman times, and back to Marsalforn.This walk is towards the top end of the grade however there is a convenient public bus should you wish to cut the walk short. Just have a chat with your leader. miles

WalksDistance: 8.5 milesAscent: 300Descent: 300Across the island from Marsalforn is the fishing Village of Xlendi, which is where you start todays walk. You follow the inlet away from the village, pass by the tower which stands guard at the entrance and then walk through an area of small cultivated fields back to the cliff tops. A good path takes you along the tops giving you really good views of some of the highest cliffs in Gozo.You head inland through the village of Sannat and then towards the south coast with views to Malta and Comino before heading down to a small inlet, where you can pause for a quick swim and then lunch. The route now follows the coastline again and a short steep ascent to Fort Chambray before dropping down to Għajnsielem and your ride back to Marsalforn. miles

WalksDistance: 7 milesAscent: 370Descent: 450A short transfer to the east of the island takes you to Qala where you start your walk from the parish church and down to your first bay Dahlet Qorrot. Splendid views all around as you approach this small attractive bay. You then head uphill and under the cliffs, around the headland, through farmland. You climb up again through cultivated land and down to Ramla Bay to find a delightful and popular beach where you have time for a quick swim followed by lunch. Leaving Ramla behind you ascend to the viewpoint at ‘Calypso’s Cave’, then follow a quiet country lane inland before dropping down and into Marsalforn.A thoroughly pleasant way to finish your time on these beautiful islands! miles

Transfer by road and ferry to Malta airport for check-in and return flight to London.