walking along the coast of malta and gozo
walking along the coast of malta and gozo

Malta & Gozo, Coastal Trail

Level
2
Distance
53 km
Duration
8 days | 7 nights
period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
price from
€ 725
CO2 footprint
107 Kg/person
  1. Malta
  2.  | 
  3. Self-Guided
  4.  | 
  5. Tourcode MLSW010

Have you ever considered Malta for your next holiday? Maybe not—and that’s precisely part of the island’s charm. It’s a destination for those ready to be surprised, seeking something different from the usual spots.

Only one-fifth of the island—the most touristic part—is urbanized. The rest is still dominated by enchanting nature. From mid-October to mid-May, the islands are green and lush, with fields filled with vegetables and paths carpeted with fennel, clover, myrtle, and wild iris. By late spring, thousands of plant species will be in bloom, making the island enchanting and colorful.

Life in the villages is still very much focused on fishing and follows the course of the seasons. The paths are not crowded with tourists and offer some of the most beautiful views in the Mediterranean. The dramatic cliffs, garrigue scrublands, and lush valleys present wonder after wonder, all to be enjoyed alongside the rich heritage and history of the island.

Highlights

  • Mysterious temples; 
  • Hagar Qim Site and 5,000 years old Ggantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
  • Stunning sea shore and cliffs; 
  • The wild island of Gozo;
  • Comino, ideal for a good day's hiking and the ultimate in solitude and views;
  • Delicious cuisine with homemade bred and sweets.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Malta

Arrive in Malta

After you check in at your accommodation you can take some time 
to explore all the major sights in Rabat, chapels, cathedral,
including its impressive Medina fortress one of the best-preserved 
walled cities in Europe. This labyrinth of narrow alleys and 
limestone buildings fascinates thousands of travellers, who go there 
every year to discover this key city in Malta's history. 
Rabat is an historic city that is home to Roman and Christian 
vestiges. Its main attraction is the Catacombs of St. Paul, 
underground tunnels where the saint took refuge during his stay in 
Malta.

Day 2

Transfer to Hagar Qim and walk to Dingli Cliff, 8,5 km

Transfer to Hagar Qim and walk to Dingli Cliff, 8,5 km

In the morning, a short transfer will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hagar Qi, an incredible stone complex built with advanced tecniques between 3600 and 3200 B.C. ; one of its walls contains the largest megalith in Malta, at 5.2 meters long and 57 tons. After a visit start your first coastal walk toward Dingli Cliff to then climb along fields and vineyards to the famous Dingli cliff viewpoint. From Dingli Cliff viewpoint, you can walk all the way back to Rabat or take a bus.

Distance: 8,5 km

Elevation Gain: +360/-290 m

Day 3

Transfer to L-Imgarr walk to Popeye Village, 10 km

Transfer to L-Imgarr walk to Popeye Village, 10 km

In the morning, take a short taxi ride to Imgarr. From there, embark on a coastal walk to Popeye Village, the filming location of the 1980s "Popeye" musical, now a theme park with boat trips and dining options. On the way, stop for a swim at Ghajn, a charming beach beneath the Clay Cliffs.

Afterward, transfer to Cirkewwa and board the ferry to Gozo Island. A brief transfer will then take you to your accommodation in Gharb

Distance: 10 km

Elevation Gain: +185/-260 m

Day 4

Walk from Gharb (or Wied il Għasr) to Dwerja Bay, 10 km (7km)

Walk from Gharb (or Wied il Għasr) to Dwerja Bay, 10 km (7km)

Today you start your walk from Gharb. The walk from Gharb to the 
coast (Wied il Għasri) runs on asphalt road and secondary country 
roads passing by the imposing Ta Pinu abbey. Then you continue 
along the coast to Dwerja Bay with extremely panoramic views of 
the cliff. We suggest a short boat trip in Dwerja Bay (cash only) to visit the grottos. Finish your walk at Dwejra Bay from where you can enjoy 
a breath-taking sunset before heading back to Gharb by bus.

Distance: 10 (or 7) km

Elevation Gain: +260/-360 m

Day 5

Trasnfer to Xlendi, walk to Mgarr, 12,5 km

Trasnfer to Xlendi, walk to Mgarr, 12,5 km

A short transfer will take you to Xlendi from where you start a lovely 
coastal route passing farmer’s fields and agricultural land always 
with the stunning view of the cliffs. 
In Sannat you walk a short section on asfalt road through the village 
and then along a panoramic road with the view of Medina fortress
You reach Mgarr ix-Xini bay, nice stop for swim and lunch just 
before the last few kilomters along the coast up and down until the 
port. Take the bus to Victoria, the capital of Gozo, for the night.

Distance: 12,5 km

Elevation Gain: +500/-500 m

Day 6

Bus to Xlendi, walk to Dwerja Bay, 6,5 km

Bus to Xlendi, walk to Dwerja Bay, 6,5 km

A short bus ride will take you back to Xlendi from where you start 
a steep ascent to the top of the cliff passing farmer’s fields and 
agricultural land until you reach the west coast. Fields run all the 
way up to the coastal cliffs and you will hear songbirds as you 
immerse yourself in these rural scenes. At Dwejra Bay you can enjoy a breath-taking sunset before heading back to Vicotria by bus.

Distance:  6,5 km

Elevation Gain: +290/-280 m

Day 7

Selection of Walks

Selection of Walks

Today is the day to relax and you have two optional walk to choose 
from:


Walk A: enjoy the unique island of Comino, the tiny island 
between Malta and Gozo. A short bus ride will take you to the ferry 
port in Mgarr from where you will board a ferry to Comino. Once 
you have seen its famed and stunningly beautiful Blue Lagoon
walk around the island for some solitude and stunning views. 
On arrival back at the harbour, board a ferry back to Gozo and 
make your way by local bus or taxi back to Victoria.

Distance: 3 km

Elevation Gain: +140/-140


Walk B: a short walk along the coast from Marsalform to the 
famous red sand Ramla Beach. You follow a coastal path with 
several swimming spots undulating along the coast. There are few 
sections on loose and steep terrain, be careful.

Distance: 6 km

Elevation Gain: +100/-100

Day 8

Arrivderci, Malta!

Arrivderci, Malta!

The trip and our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked extra nights or other services with us. It is possible to take the direct ferry from Gozo to Cirkewwa or the high speed boat to Valletta.

Details

Is this for me?


A delightful journey, perfect if you want to enjoy a not too demanding walking holiday that offers mild weather, the opportunity to swim, and plenty of culture. The hikes range from easy to moderate, ideal even for those without much training. However, keep in mind that some short sections may have slippery terrain, with rocks and fairly steep ascents or descents. Most of the hikes, however, follow pleasant paths and secondary roads.

Included


What is included

  • 7 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels with breakfast
  • Luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
  • Transfers as described in the day by day program
  • Maps and detailed description of the itinerary in digital form, app
  • Medical and luggage travel insurance
  • 24h phone assistance


What is not included 

  • Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
  • Lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
  • Visits and entrance fees - tips
  • Personal expense
  • Possible sojourn taxes
  • Everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

  • Single room supplement
  • Cancellation insurance

Accommodation


We work with 3* hotels, B&Bs and farmhouses that reflect our way of experiencing travel: they are comfortable and characterful structures, which we choose one by one, managed by passionate and welcoming people.

Unless otherwise specified in the travel listing, all provide private en-suite rooms with breakfast included.

 

When to travel


This trip is designed to give you a taste of the most authentic Malta, far from the summer crowds, so you can fully enjoy its nature and landscapes. That’s why it’s available from September to May, avoiding the summer months when walking would be too challenging. It’s an excellent option for a winter walking trip, but just as wonderful in autumn and spring.

What to bring


Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

Practical info

How to arrive


On arrival:

Malta International Airport is served by both major and low-cost carriers.
From the airport you can reach Rabat by local bus or private transfer. Bus schedule online at 
www.publictransport.com.mt/


On departure:

From Gozo it is possible to take the direct ferry to Cirkewwa or the high speed boat to 
Valletta. Timetable online at gozohighspeed.com/ or www.gozochannel.com/
On request it is possible to arrange a private transfer to the airport. 

Mobile App


Use the SloWays APP for iOS and Android smart phones in combination with the written documentation provided.

The App has the detailed tracks and maps that you can use offline and without roaming. Thanks to the phone’s internal GPS, you can check your exact position on the map, so you always know exactly where you are. It also helps you self-navigate you way while travelling. More information on how to use the App inside the roadbook documents.

The navigation features include:

  • Offline navigation. Mobile data not required after initial download
  • Accurate GPS tracks
  • Autorotation of the maps
  • Daily route summary and elevation chart
  • Panorama of the track and at street level
  • Alarm and vibration that alerts you in case you go off track.
  • Emergency SMS button with position coordinates
  • Possibility to record and take georeferenced photos of problems on route alerting fellow travelers
  • Hotel information
  • Points of interest along the way
  • Historical background

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Wanderlust Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
Wanderlust
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
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Touroperating
S-Cape Countryside Travels srl
Borgo Allegri 16R
50122 Firenze FI
P. IVA 05227330486

 
© 2024 SloWays. All rights reserved.
Touroperating S-Cape Countryside Travels srl Borgo Allegri 16R 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
VAT Nr 05227330486
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