Category: Malta & Gozo

14 novembeR: FLIGHT TO MALTA AND TRANSFER TO GOZO

Meet at the airport and flight to Malta. Transfer from the airport by public bus north to the town of Cirkewwa, where we take the ferry to the island of Gozo. After getting off at Imgarr, we continue by bus to Victoria, the island’s capital, where we check into a beautiful hotel in a central location, just steps from the Citadel, a majestic fortified town built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the island, which we will visit in the coming days.
Dinner and overnight stay.

15 november: fungus rock and dweira bay

After breakfast, we leave our accommodation and head towards Ta Kercem, where our trail begins toward the spectacular western coast of Gozo, with its most important geological formations, such as Fungus Rock and other sea stacks surrounding
Dweira Bay. Arriving at the chapel of St. Anne, we begin to head inland, passing St.Lawrence. We finish our journey at the Basilica of Ta Pinu, a huge Marian
shrine , a destination for pilgrims from across the Maltese archipelago. After the visit, we take a local bus that takes us back to Victoria in about 20 minutes.
Dinner and overnight stay
Distance: 13km
Walking time: 4h approx.
Elevation gain/loss: +/-400m

16 november: temples of ggantija

Breakfast. We take the bus to the town of Ix Xaghra. We visit one of the oldest and best-preserved windmills in the archipelago. We continue to the Ggantija temples, a UNESCO archaeological site dating back approximately 5,000 years. We visit these mysterious monoliths, said to have been erected by a population of giants who once lived on the island, and the well-curated museum attached to them. In the afternoon, a short 4-km hike takes us to the Calypso Cave, where it is said that Odysseus was captured by the nymph during his wanderings in the Mediterranean. We finish at the red beach of Ramla, where we take the bus to Victoria.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 4,5km
Walking time:  2h approx.
Elevation gain/loss: +50/-140m

17 november: between fjords, bays and salt marshes

Breakfast. We leave Victoria and head north, walking through the countryside. We reach the coast, where we glimpse the Ta Gurdan lighthouse, and walk along the cliffs for a while, admiring the imposing cliffs from above. We visit Wied ill Mielah and Wied il Ghasri, beautiful fjords and natural arches sculpted by the wind and sea waves. We then continue toward Gozo’s famous and still active salt pans, and passing through Xwejni Bay, we finally reach the coastal village of Marsalforn. Return bus to Victoria.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 13,5km
Walking time: 4h approx.
Elevation gain/loss: +80/-150m

18 november: the most impressive cliffs in Gozo

Breakfast. Today we explore the southern part of the island. We take a bus to Xlendi. From there, we begin
a coastal route that will take us to admire the highest sheer cliffs on the island, first the Sannat Cliffs and then the Ta Cenc Cliffs, with truly breathtaking panoramic views! We then head slightly inland and continue towards another picturesque fjord. We finish our walk by the fortified bastion of Chambray. A public bus takes us back to Victoria.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 11,5km
Walking time: 4h approx.
Elevation gain/loss: +440m/-420m

19 november: excursion to the island of Comino

Breakfast. Bus to Gozo port, from where we take a boat to the island of Comino. The island is currently almost uninhabited (only two residents) and is a wildlife reserve for highly valuable birds. We admire the famous Blue Lagoon and begin walking along paths immersed in Mediterranean scrub and wild fennel toward the Tower of Santa Maria and the battery of the same name. We then head north, where we relax on one of the small beaches for a picnic lunch. We complete the circular tour and in the afternoon return by boat to Gozo, passing through some caves. Return bus to Victoria.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Distance: 8km
Walking time: 2h30min approx.
Elevation gain/loss: +/-100m

20 november: trasfer to Mdina/rabat

Breakfast. Bus to the port and ferry transfer to Malta. We take the bus again, which takes us in about 40 minutes to Rabat, where we drop off our luggage at the hotel. In the afternoon, we visit Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital, known today as the Silent City, one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in all of Europe.
Dinner and overnight stay.

21 november: la valletta

Breakfast. Bus to Valletta and free time to explore the capital. Optional visit to St. John’s Cathedral, a magnificent temple of Maltese Baroque, inside which we can admire the world’s largest painting by the celebrated artist Caravaggio. If we have time, we can also visit the trio of fortified citadels facing Valletta’s large harbor (Cospicua, Senglea, and Vittoriosa). Return bus to Rabat.
Dinner and overnight stay.

22 november: back home

Breakfast. Depending on the time of our return flight, if time allows, we’ll visit the catacombs of St. Paul or St. Agatha in the center of Rabat, ancient burial sites and refuges for persecuted Christians. Bus to the airport and return flight.

Trekking guide: Alessandro Oprandi

Note: Excursions may be modified due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

Easy. The walk includes short, pleasant, and undemanding stages with modest elevation gain. It presents no technical difficulties, making it suitable for beginners with a light trek.
The average walk time is 3-4 hours per day, including stops.

GROUP SIZE:

Max. 12-14 participants

hiking trails:

The route follows well-trodden paths or dirt roads, with typical low-lying Mediterranean vegetation. Some stages also include stretches of asphalt (with little or no traffic).

required hiking gear:

Hiking boots with treaded soles, preferably ankle-high. A 25-30L daypack (you’ll receive a detailed packing list), suitable clothing, including hiking pants (NO JEANS!) and technical shirts that dry quickly. You’ll receive a complete packing list before departure.

Climate:

Ideal for hiking with pleasant, relatively warm days, highs between 18°C ​​and 21°C. Cool mornings and evenings. Possible showers or seasonal thunderstorms.