Walking in Malta and Gozo

£10

Walking in Malta and Gozo

Landscapes of of MALTA, GOZO and COMINO: walks and car tours

by Douglas Lockhart

We used this book on a recent holiday in Gozo. Usually I go on holiday laden down with guide books, but this time I tried to limit the number by just taking the pdf of the Sunflower Guide for Malta, Gozo and Comino… It worked. [It] gave us a great introduction to the island and, on our last day, when we had 12 hours to kill in Malta before the flight home, the walking tour of Valetta and the tours of Malta by car meant that we were able to squeeze in some enjoyment right to the last minute. An indication that there were restaurants in Marsaxlokk led us to take a chance on this charming little bay near the airport. The relaxing meal we ate there was a fitting end to a very chilled week in the Maltese Islands. I didn’t miss the lack of other guides… (Lin, Amazon)

Invaluable. There are walks of all shapes and sizes… the guidance given for each walk is clear and concise. (RG, Amazon)

Overview

The Maltese landscape offers rich rewards for those who enjoy exploring: interests in ancient and modern history, military and ecclesiastical architecture, geology, and flora are all well catered for. If this will be your first visit to the Maltese Islands, this book will be a perfect introduction to the delights of walking in Malta and Gozo and touring the islands by car or with public transport This new 6th edition has been thoroughly revised, with completely new maps and details of the new bus services. If you are using one of the earlier editions, we strongly recommend replacing it with this new one.

Area covered: Exhaustive coverage of Malta and Gozo, as well as one walk on Comino

The best months for walking in Malta and Gozo are March, April, May, October and November.

Where to stay

If you are visiting primarily to go walking in Malta or Gozo, it’s best to stay in the north of Malta (for example Mellieha or Bugibba); there will be a wide choice of walks nearby, and you will be conveniently located for the Gozo ferry.

Edition/contents etc

3 car tours (2 on Malta, 1 on Gozo), 70 long and short walks, and 33 picnic suggestions
136 pages + 2 touring maps (Malta and Gozo); plans of Valletta, Cospicua, Senglea, Vittoriosa, Mdina/Rabat, Victoria (Gozo); large-scale (1:32,000) topo maps
6th ed, 2012; ISBN 978-1-85691-412-3; UK retail price £12.99 / USA retail price $17.99

Table of contents:

Preface 5
Acknowledgements; Useful books 6
Getting about 7
Picnicking 9 Picnic suggestions 10

TOURING
TOUR 1 MALTA: FROM TOURISM TO RURALITY AND BACK AGAIN! 17
Sliema · Salina Bay · Mellieha · Cirkewwa · Golden Bay · Mgarr · Bingemma Gap · Rabat · Mdina · Mosta · Naxxar · San Gwann · Sliema

TOUR 2 MALTA: ANTIQUITIES, FISHING VILLAGES AND GARDENS 21
Sliema · Hypogeum · Marsascala · Marsaxlokk · Wied iz-Zurrieq · Hagar Qim · Ghar Lapsi · Buskett Gardens · San Anton Gardens · Sliema

TOUR 3 GOZO: THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN 24
Mgarr · Ir-Ramla · Marsalforn · Victoria · Dwejra Bay · Xlendi · Mgarr
WALKING

Waymarking and maps 28
Walkers’ checklist 28
What to take 29
Weather 29
Photography 30
Where to stay 30
Maltese pronunciation and place names 31
Nuisances and hazards 32
Shooting and trapping 33
Country code for walkers and motorists 34
Organisation of the walks 35
TOWN WALKS, MALTA (with plans)
1 Valletta: capital and planned town 36
2 The Three Cities: Cospicua, Senglea and Vittoriosa 39
3 Mdina and Rabat 43

COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Northern Malta – walks near Mellieha and St Paul’s Bay
4 Ghadira · Madonna statue · Armier Bay · Marfa 47
5 Armier Crossroads · Qammieh · Ic-Cumnija · Ghadira 50
6 Ghadira · Il-Prajjet · Ghajn Snuber · Golden Bay 56
7 Selmun Palace · Mgiebah Valley · Blata l-Bajda · Mistra Bay · Xemxija 56
8 Wied l-Arkata · Bidnija · Il-Qolla · Pwales Valley · Xemxija 60
9 Falka · Wied il-Ghajn Rihana · Ghallis Tower 62
10 St Julian’s · Madliena · Gharghur · Maghtab · Bahar ic-Caghaq 65

Western Malta – walks near Rabat, Dingli and Siggiewi
11 Bingemma Gap · Nadur Tower · Bingemma Fort · L-Iskorvit · Golden Bay 69
12 Rabat (Busugrilla) · Chadwick Lakes · Mtahleb · Il-Qlejgha · Bahrija · Gnejna Bay · Mgarr 72
13 Mosta · Qlejgha Valley · Chadwick Lakes · Dwejra Lines · Mosta 78
14 Rabat (Busugrilla) · Tal-Lunzjata Ridge · Dingli · Ta’ Baldu · Tat-Targa · Rabat (Busugrilla) 81
15 Rabat (Tal-Virtu) · Wied Ta’ l-Isqof · Gnien il-Kbir · Rabat (Saqqajja) 86
16 Buskett · Ghar il-Kbir · Laferla Cross · Verdala Palace 88
17 Buskett · Rdum Dikkiena · Ghar Lapsi · Hagar Qim · Blue Grotto 92 18 Siggiewi · Tal-Providenza · San Niklaw Chapel · Siggiewi 96
19 Siggiewi · Wied il-Hesri · Wied Qirda · Wied il-Kbir · Qormi 98

Southeastern Malta – walks from Marsaxlokk and Marsascala
20 Marsaxlokk · Borg in-Nadur · Gudja 101
21 Marsascala · St Thomas Bay · Il-Hofra · Fort Delimara · Tas-Silg · Marsaxlokk 104
22 Marsascala · Zonqor Point · San Leonardo · Xghajra · Marsascala 108

Gozo – walks from Victoria and Mgarr
23 Victoria · Zebbug · Xwieni Bay · Hekka Point · Gharb · Victoria 111
24 Victoria · Xlendi · Dwejra Bay · Santa Lucija · Victoria 115
25 Mgarr · Mellieha Point · Mgarr ix-Xini · Sannat · Victoria 119
26 Mgarr · Hondoq ir-Rummien · Qala · Dahlet Qorrot · San Blas Bay · Ir-Ramla · Ggantija · Xewkija 123

Comino
27 Walks from the Comino Hotel, San Niklaw Bay 128

Bus, helicopter and ferry timetables 131
Index of geographical names 134
Emergency telephone numbers 136
Fold-out maps inside back cover

Guidebook index

IMPORTANT: Maltese place names contain characters with unusual accents, several of which are not included in western European fonts. Accented characters such as these often appear incorrectly when viewed on the web and if used may be replaced by unrecognizable symbols when viewed on a different computer. Certain accented characters in the place names shown here (for example accented y, z , C, G and H) have therefore been replaced by characters without accents, to help avoid the risk of totally different characters or symbols appearing when you view the index ( though the more common accents appear as normal). On some computers, even these “common” accents may give unexpected results – this will be due to differing keyboard set-ups.

For the above reasons, many of the place names appear here with (strictly speaking) incorrect or incomplete spelling. However, we emphasise that in the book, the appropriate font has been used to ensure that all place names appear with correct spelling and with the correct accents.

(M) = Malta (G) = Gozo (C) = Comino

Ahrax Point (M) 46-47, 49
Armier Bay (M) 110, 18, 46-47, 48, 49, 131
Armier Crossroads (M) 10, 11, 46-47, 50
Bahar ic-Caghaq (M) 17, 64-65, 131
Bahrija (M) 72, 74-75, 76
Bidnija (M) 58-59, 60, 62-63, 74-75
Binemma Fort (M) 69, 70-71, 74-75
Binemma Gap (M) 12, 17, 19, 69, 70-71, 74-75, 78-79, 80
Birbuba (G) 111, 112-113, 114
Birkirkara (M) 23
Birzebbua (M) 102-103, 131
Blata l-Bajda (near Marsascala; M) 108, 109, 110
Blata l-Bajda (near St Paul’s Bay; M) 13, 56, 57, 58-59, 64-64
Blue Grotto (M) 22, 92, 94-95
Blue Lagoon (C) 9, 14, 128, 129
Bor in-Nadur (M) 22, 101, 102-103
Buibba (M) 62-63, 131, 132
Buskett (M) 13, 82-83, 88-89, 90, 92, 131
Gardens (M) 113, 21, 23, 82-83, 88-89, 92
Busugrilla (roundabout near Rabat; M) 19, 72, 74-75, 81, 82-83, 88-89
Chadwick Lakes (M) 19, 72, 73, 74-75, 78-79
Cirkewwa (M) 17, 18, 46-47, 49, 50, 131, 132, 133
Comino 128, 129, 130, 133
Tower (C) 129, 130, 130
Cospicua (M) 39, 40, 41, 42, 131, 132
Dahlet Qorrot (G) 14, 123, 126, 124-5
Delimara Fort (M) 13, 104, 105, 107
Dingli (and Dingli Cliffs; M) 23, 81, 82-83, 84, 131
Dwejra Bay (G) 1, 14, 24, 25, 26, 111, 115, 116-117, 118, 132
Dwejra Lines (M) 19, 69, 72, 74-75, 78-79, 80
Falka (M) 62-63, 78-79
Ferretti Battery (M) 22
Fiddien Bridge (M) 19, 72, 73, 74-75
Fomm ir-Rih (Bay) 70-71, 74-75, 77
Forna Point (G) 112-113, 112-113
Fort Campbell (M) 57, 58-59
Fort Chambray (G) 120-121
Fungus Rock (G) 25, 26, 116-117, 118
Gelmus Butte (hill; G) 112-113, 114, 116-117
Ggantija (G) 25, 123, 124-125, 127
Ghadira (M) 10, 18, 46-47, 48, 50, 52, 54, 131
Ghajn Hadid Tower (M) 57, 58-59
Ghajn Snuber Tower (M) 11, 19, 52, 54
Ghajn Tuffieha (M) 11, 19, 54, 70-71, 74-75
Bay (M) 71, 70-71, 74-75
Ghajnsielem (G) 119, 124-125, 133
Ghallis Point (M) 18, 62-63
Tower (M) 18, 62-3, 64
Ghar Dalam (M) 22, 101, 102-103
Ghar il-Kbir (M) 82-83, 88-89, 90-91
Ghar Lapsi (M) 13, 21, 23, 92, 93, 94-5, 132
Gharb (G) 25, 111, 112-113, 114, 133
Gharghur (M) 11, 64-65, 66-67, 68, 131
Ghasri (G) 111, 112-113, 133
Ghemieri (M) 72, 74-75
Gnejna Bay (M) 12, 19, 70-71, 72, 74-75, 77
Gnien l-Kbir (M) 86, 87, 88-89
Golden Bay (M) 11, 17, 19, 52, 54, 69, 70-71, 74-75, 131, 132
Gorf l-Abjad (M) 109, 110
Gudja (M) 101, 102-103, 131, cover
Hagar Qim (M) 21, 23, 92, 94-95
Hal Mula (M) 98-99
Hekka Point (G) 111, 112-113, 114
Hompesch Arch (M) 21
Hondoq ir-Rummien (G) 114, 123, 124-125, 126
Hypogeum (M) 21
Ic-Cumnija (M) 46-47, 50, 51, 52, 54
Il-Hofra (M) 104, 105, 107
Il-Kullana (M) 84
Il-Munxar (M) 104, 105
Il-Pellegrin (M) 70-71, 74-75, 77
Il-Prajjet (M) 52, 53, 54
Il-Qadi (M) 62-63, 64
Il-Qala t-Tawwalija (M) 13, 105, 107
Il-Qattara Ridge (M) 82-83, 85
Il-Qlejgha (M) 72, 74-75
Il-Qolla (near Bidnija; M) 58-59, 60
Il-Qolla (near the Chadwick Lakes; M) 78-79, 80
Il-Wardija ta’ San Gorg (M) 93
Inland Sea (G) 14, 25, 116-117, 118
Ir-Ramla (G) 14, 24, 33, 123, 124-125, 127
Kappara (M) 20
Kavallerizza (house; M) 101
Kercem (G) 112-113, 115, 116-117, 132
Knights’ Washhouse (G) 26
Kuncizzjoni (M) 70-71, 74-75, 76
Laferla Cross (M) 88-89, 91, 94-95
L-Imbordin (M) 58-59, 61
Lippija Tower (M) 12, 19, 70-71
L-Iskorvit (M) 69, 70-71, 72, 74-75
Madliena (M) 64-65, 67
Maghtab (M) 64-65, 68
Manikata (M) 19, 54, 55
Marfa (M) 46-47, 49
Ridge (M) 10, 11, 18, 46-47, 48, 49, 50-51
Marsalforn (G) 24, 25, 112-113, 132
Marsascala (M) 21, 23, 31, 104, 105, 108, 109, 131, 132
Marsaxlokk (M) 21, 22, 101, 102-103, 103, 104, 105, 131, 132
Mdina (M) 2, 17, 19, 43, 44, 45, 132
Mellieha (M) 111, 17, 18, 30, 54, 131
Bay (M) 10, 18, 48, 51, 54
Ridge (M) 18, 54, 58-59
Mellieha Point (G) 119, 120-121, 123, 124-125
Marr (G) 24, 25, 119, 120-121, 123, 124-125, 132, 133
Marr (M) 12, 17, 19, 20, 58-59, 69, 70-71, 72, 74-75, 131
Marr ix-Xini (G) 14, 119, 120-121, 122, 124-125
Miebah (Bay, Valley; M) 11, 12, 56, 58-59
Mistra Bay (Bay, Valley; M) 11, 18, 56, 57, 58-59
Mizieb (M) 52, 54
Mnajdra Temples (M) 94-95
Mosta (M) 12, 17, 19, 72, 78-79, 131
Msida (M) 23
Mtahleb (M) 72, 73, 74-75, 81, 82-83
Munxar (G) 116-117, 133
Nadur (M) 114, 24, 123, 124-125, 126, 133
Tower (G) 69, 70-71
Naxxar (M) 7, 17, 20, 62-63, 64-65, 131
Paradise Bay (M) 18
Peter’s Pool (M) 13, 105, 107
Pietà (M) 21
Pinto Redoubt (M) 58-59
Pretty Bay (M) 22
Pwales Valley (M) 58-59, 60, 61
Qala (G) 14, 24, 123, 124-125, 126, 133
Qammieh Cliffs (M) 46-47, 50, 51, 52, 54
Qawra Tower (G) 116-117, 118
Qlejgha Valley (M) 73, 74-75, 77, 78-79, 79
Qormi (M) 98-99
Qrendi (M) 92, 94-95
Rabat (M) 12, 17, 19, 43, 44, 45, 46, 72, 73, 74-75, 81, 82-83, 86, 88-89, 131, 132
Ramla Bay (M) 46-47, 49; see also Ir-Ramla (G)
Ramla tal-Qortin (M) 46-47, 49
Ramla tat-Torri (M) 46-47, 48, 49
Ras il-Minuna (M) 58-59
Ras il-Wahx (M) 54, 55
Ras in-Niexfa (M) 53, 54
Rdum Dikkiena (M) 92, 98-99
Rdum il-Bies (M) 58-59
Rdum l-Imdawwar (M) 70-71, 74-75, 77
Red Tower (M) 11, 18, 46-47, 50
St Andrew’s (M) 64-65, 131
St George’s Bay (M) 22, 64-65
St Julian’s (M) 16-17, 31, 64-65, 66, 131
St Paul’s Bay (M) 18, 30, 58-59, 62-63, 131
St Thomas Bay (M) 104, 105, 106
Tower (M) 104, 105, 109
Salina Bay (M) 17, 18, 62-63
Salvator (M) 82-83
San Anton Gardens (M) 21, 23
San Blas Bay (G) 14, 123, 124-125
San Blas Valley (G) 124-125, 126, 127
San Gwann (M) 17, 20
San Lawrenz (G) 25, 111, 112-113, 133
San Leonardo (Fort; M) 108, 109, 110
San Niklaw Bay (C) 128, 129
San Niklaw Chapel (M) 94-95, 96, 97
Sannat (G) 14, 119, 120-121, 122, 133
Santa Katerina (M) 82-83
Santa Lucija (G) 112-113, 115, 116-117, 118, 132
Santa Marija Bay (C) 129, 130
Santa Pietru (G) 111, 112-113
Selmun Palace (M) 52, 56, 58-59
Senglea (M) 39, 40, 41, 42, 131
Siiewi (M) 22, 23, 86, 88-89, 94-95, 96, 98-99, 131, 132
Sliema (M) 17, 21, 31, 131, 132
Ta’ Baldu (M) 81, 82-83, 85
Ta’ l-Imgharrqa (M) 46-47, 48
Ta’ Macca (M) 46-47, 49
Ta’ Pinu (church; G) 25, 133
Ta’ Qali (Craft Village and National Park; M) 23
Ta’ Saliba (M) 19, 58-59
Tafal Cliffs 122, 124-5
Tal-Lunzjata Ridge (M) 81, 82-83
Tal-Providenza (M) 88-89, 94-95, 96, 97
Tal-Virtu (Rabat; M) 12, 86, 88-89
Tara Gap (M) 12, 60, 62-63, 78-79, 80, 82
Public Gardens 12, 62-63, 78-79
Tas-Santi (M) 69, 70-71, 72, 74-75
Tas-Sil (Battery; M) 104, 105, 107
Tat-Tara (Gap; M) 74-75, 81, 82-83, 85
Tumbrell Point (M) 105, 107
Valletta (M) 36-37, 38, 42, 131
Verdala Palace (M) 23, 86, 88-89, 92, 96
Victoria (G) 24, 25, 26, 111, 112-113, 115, 116-117, 119, 120-121, 132
Victoria Lines (M) 11, 12, 58-59, 62-63, 64-65, 68, 69, 70-71, 74-75, 77, 78-79, 80
Vittoriosa (M) 39, 40, 41, 42, 131
Wied il-Ghajn Rihana (M) 62-63
Wied il-Ghasri (G) 111, 112-113, 114
Wied il-·esri (M) 98-99
Wied il-Kbir (M) 98-99, 100
Wied il-Luq (M) 88-89, 91
Wied il-Mielah (G) 112, 112-113, 114
Wied ir-Rum (M) 85
Wied iz-urrieq (M) 13, 21, 22, 94-95, 131
Wied l’Arkata (M) 58-59, 60, 61, 62-63
Wied Qannotta (M) 58-59, 61
Wied Qirda (M) 98-99, 100
Wied ta’ l-Isqof (M) 86, 87, 98-99
Xaghra (G) 25, 124-125, 133
Xemxija (M) 18, 56, 58-59, 60, 62
Xewkija (G) 26, 119, 120-121, 123, 124-125, 133
Xghajra (M) 108, 109. 110, 131
Xlendi (G) 13, 24, 26, 115, 116-117, 133
Xlendi Bay and Tower (G) 13, 116-117
Xrobb il-Ghain (Peninsula; M) 105, 106
Xwieni Bay (G) 13, 111, 112-113, 113, 114
Xwieniebbu (G) 111, 112-113, 114, 133
Xwieniebbu (M) 88-89, 98-99
Zejtun (M) 21
Zejtunonqor Point (M) 108, 109
Zejtunurrieq (M) 22, 94-95, 131

Current update

Malta, Gozo & Comino, 6th edition (2012), updated 11/04/2013

Updates for walks and car tours (drives) on on Malta and Gozo given below supplement those provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated and not to any earlier editions. (If you have an older edition of this book you can “upgrade” to the latest edition at half price.)

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk).

Walk 6. Page 54: the concrete-surfaced track is now a tarmac/asphalt surfaced lane. (User, 3/13)

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