19/02/2010 Siggiewi - Ghar Lapsi - Laferla Cross - Rabat

On a warm but slightly hazy day we set off from Siggiewi for Ghar Lapsi where we stayed a while to admire the attractive bay and some crashing waves. After stopping for refreshments we retraced our steps climbing towards Dar tal-Providenza, turning left towards the Annunciation Chapel. We rested a while at Ta Zuta Chapel before climbing the rocky path towards Dingli Cliffs, the highest point on the island. We turned right to take the road between two busy quarrries. Immediately after the quarry on our right we took the right hand path to take the long steady climb towards the Laferla Cross which we reached via a narrow path to the left of a small chapel. We then continued sharply downhill past a series of statues, turning left onto the road and then taking the left fork immediately afterwards. We turned right at the GR stone to follow a path between farmhouses that became quite narrow at tmes. We crossed the Wied via a small stone bridge, carried straight on across the road and climbed towards the Verdala Palace. Following the road to the right of the Palace, we then turned right along the road to Rabat where we caught our bus back. Distance: c. 12 miles, very rough in places with several stiff climbs but with the reward of some of the most spectacular coastal and countryside views in Malta.

17/02/2010 Mgarr

We set off from Mgarr church in the direction of Gnejna Bay. After a short detour we returned to the road and, on reaching a crossroads, we turned right towards the cliffs rather than take the steep downhill to the bay. After a few hundred yards we turned left onto a path that took us to Lippija Tower. After a few minutes of photo opportunities and admiring the views across the various bays we retraced our steps along the path. We then turned left to continue on our way passing the Roman Baths on our left (closed for refurbishment for the last couple of decades or so). We then turned right and, after a mile or so, right again to bring us back to Mgarr church with its unusual egg-shaped dome. Distance: about 5 miles of easy walking apart from a short slightly rocky downhill section towards the Roman Baths.

29/01/2010 Victoria Lines

We set off once again from Targa Gap, outskirts of Mosta, this time in the direction of Mosta Fort, joining the Victoria Lines after a few hundred yards. Just before we reached the Fort we turned right through the gardens to join the ring road where we turned left. We then had to follow the main road for a while with the Victoria Lines to our left. We crossed the Wied Ghassel, still following the main road which then skirted a huge quarry. Eventually, we crossed the Naxxar Road and contined on until we once again joined the Victoria Lines. We skirted another quarry, this time on our right, and crossed another valley. We then continued on through a park, outskirts of Gharghur. Just before a viewing platform we turned left down some rough steps to follow the Victoria Lines again as they dropped into a deep valley. The path was extremely rough at this point. We came up beside some villas and, upon reaching a small road, turned right. We descended towards the coast, turned left and crossed the coast road before turning right towards White Rocks, a long abandoned holiday village, where we were forced to shelter from a very heavy shower. We turned left down towards the coastal path and turned left again behind the Splash Park at Bahar Ic-Cahag. Rejoining the coast road we followed it for some distance in the direction of Qawra but turned off at Ghallis Tower. We followed a path through the farms, turning right into the Naxxar Road and then left, following a narrow road which eventually turned to the right past a fireworks factory. We took a right fork and descended past a small chapel and followed the path round until it eventually led to Kennedy Grove. We finished our walk at Salini Park.
Distance: 12 miles, mainly steady walking but with some very rough terrain in places.

27/01/2010 Buskett Gardens - Dingli Cliffs

We started our walk from the Rabat end of Buskett Gardens. After exploring the gardens for a while - and finding one exit blocked by several large dogs - we left the gardens at the exit nearest Dingli Cliffs and followed the signs for the cliffs. We turned right on reaching the coast and walked on past the Maddalena Chapel and the Radar Dome as far as Bobbyland where we stopped for refreshments. We retraced our steps but then turned left towards Dingli Village. We turned right out of the village and then right again just after the college to arrive back at Buskett.
Distance: 5-6 miles, mainly easy walking except for a few uphills.

24/01/2010 Salina Bay

We set off from Qawra through the new Salini Park, with its picnic areas and water features, following the path down to the Kennedy memorial. We walked through the memorial past the new fountains turning right to the main coast road. We turned left keeping the small, recently refurbished "canal" on our left and, beyond it, the Salina Bay salt pans. We crossed the coast road at the tiny village of Salini and, after following the Naxxar Road for a few yards, turned left past a restaurant and the small village chapel. To the right of the chapel we followed a narrow path round a field that led to the Salini catacombs. After exploring these ancient catacombs we returned the same way we came.
Distance: 2 miles, gentle stroll.

22/01/2010 Victoria Lines - Bingemma - Mtarfa

We set off from Targa Gap, on the outskirts of Mosta, following the Victoria Lines, a line of fortifications that crosses the whole of the island. At the Mosta-Mgarr Road we turned left then almost immediately right up a steep narrow path. Stopping several times to admire the spectacular views across to St Paul's Bay and Gozo in the distance, we climbed to one of the highest points on the whole island. At a t-junction we were careful to take the left hand path that runs behind the Dwejra Lines section of the Victoria Lines. After a while, we were able to leave the path to the right to follow a narrow path along the Lines themselves - more spectacular views but not for the faint-hearted. We eventually rejoined the main path and descended to the Bingemma Gap where the lines cross a valley with catacombs dug into the cliff face.
Climbing to the road, we turned left and, after a few hundred yards, right towards the Bingemma Fort. We continued to follow the narrow road to a small hamlet at a t-junction where we turned left. We followed the road which ran steeply downhill to a small bridge. We left the road via a narrow path to a picnic area tucked underneathe the bridge. We took a narrow muddy path alongside a small stream which eventually brought us out at another narrow bridge where we crossed to the other side of the stream where we turned immediate right towards Chadwick Lakes.
We then turned right up the steep hill towards Mtarfa, a former military area, now a large housing estate with some impressive buidings. We turned left to follow the Belvedere with its views across the valley, heading towards the clock tower. We descended in the direction of Mdina, straight on at the road island before turning right and climbing a steep minor road that led into Mdina via the gap in the Citadel wall that once led to the railway station. We finished our walk with a stroll through the ancient streets of Mdina to the bus station.
Distance: 10 miles, tough walking in places.

20/01/2010 Chadwick Lakes

The Chadwick Lakes, constructed in the 19th century via a series of dams, are well worth a visit but best in late winter, particularly after heavy rain. Starting from the small chapel of San Pawl just outside Mosta, where our group stopped to admire the sight of a goat with four small chicks, we crossed the Mdina Road before turning right towards Chadwick Lakes. We continued along the path before it became too muddy before returning back the way we came.
Distance: 4 miles, gentle walking.

Malta Walks: October-November 2009

Here are some of the other walks we took during the autumn:

Laferla Cross: from Buskett Gardens we turned towards Dingli Cliffs then headed left. After stopping to view some cart ruts we headed down into a valley before following a road round to St Lawrence Chapel. We turned left to Verdala Cross before descending towards Verdala Palace and then back to Rabat.

Vittoriosa: we took a short walk taking in the Inquisitor's Palace and the excellent Maritime Museum.

Dingli Cliffs: we headed out of Rabat meandering through the countryside, then turned left across the Dingli Cliffs towards the "golf ball" before heading back to Rabat via Dingli village.

Marfa Ridge: We started from the Red Tower heading towards the radio station then took a steep path down to Paradise Bay. From there we headed across to the Madonna statue taking in Armier Bay, the White Tower and Ahrax Point before returning to Mellieha Bay via the coastal path.

Xemxija - Golden Bay: we climbed the Roman Road taking in the ancient beehives, caves, tombs and Roman baths before heading left along the Roman Road along the Bajda Ridge, taking a diversion through the woodland along the way. We followed the coastline around the Majjistral Country Park before descending to Golden Bay.

Manoel Island: we took advantage of the open day for the newly restored Manoel Fort, walking from Sliema to Msida, taking in Manoel Island on the way.

Bahrija: we set off from Rabat towards the cliffs at Rdum tas-Sarg turning right to follow the coast towards Fomm Ir-Rih. We turned inland to Bahrija and then took the road inland towards Mgarr before turning to follow the cliff tops towards Ghan Tuffieha.

Gozo walks: October - November 2009

The wonderful little island of Gozo is just perfect for walking: small, pretty bays & beaches, towering cliffs, charming towns & lush green countryside. We enjoyed 4 walks on Gozo in autumn 2009:

Xlendi - Mgarr: we took the bus from the ferry to Victoria then set off down the road to Xlendi. Our walk took us past Xlendi tower, across the Ta' Cenc cliffs, turning inland before returning to the coast at the pretty bay of Mgarr Ix-Xini, returning via Fort Chambran to the ferry at Mgarr.

Mgarr - San Blas Bay: we skirted Mgarr harbour and followed cliff paths taking in the splendid little bays of Hondoq Ir-Rummien, Dahlet Qorrot and San Blas, returning to Mgarr via Nadur.

Ramla Bay - Marsalforn: we took the bus from the ferry to the traffic lights and headed towards Xaghra before taking a narrow path to the right that eventually brought us out at Ramla Bay. We climbed a narrow path to Calypso Cave then headed for Marsalforn, then followed the promenade before turning inland towards Victoria via a path that followed the valley.

Xlendi - Dwejra Bay: we walked from Victoria to Xlendi via Munxar. From there we climbed the steps to the right of the bay, then followed a narrow path over the cliffs. We turned inland before following the road to the Roman Lake then followed the coast almost to Dwejra Bay before returning to Victoria via Kercem.

Malta Walks, Wednesday Group: Oct-Nov 2009

Our Wednesday group meets at Xemxija at 9:30 a.m. Walks are usually short, maximum 2 hours with mostly easy walking. Here are some of the walks we took during the autumn.

Selmun peninsula: starting from near Selmun Palace, now a hotel, we followed a path down to the salt pans then returned taking in the stunning views across to St. Paul's island.

Marfa Ridge: starting from behind the Mellieha Bay Hotel, we followed the coastline as far as we could, eventually arriving at the Madonna statue before returning along the road that crests the ridge.

Majjistral Country Park: we started from Golden Bay, waking through what was once British army barracks before emerging into the park. We found the going rough underfoot but were rewarded by some stunning views as far as Gozo.

Red Tower: we took in the area of the Marfa ridge to the west passing the Red Tower and walking as far as the radio station perched on the cliffs returning the way we came.

Popeye Village: parking near the village we followed the cliff path south before it petered out onto some rough ground before turning back the way we came.

15/05/2009 Gozo: Victoria - Gharb - San Lawrenz

Setting off from Victoria bus station, we followed the main road to Gharb, turning right into the village and taking the right fork at the church emerging onto the path following the Wied Il-Mielah, enjoying the views across to Ta'-Pinu church and Gordan lighthouse. At the mouth of the Wied we took the concrete road to the left that quickly became a narrower path. We emerged into an area of worn cliffs that, at times, almost resembled a lunar landscape. We followed a narrow path up to the cliffs and, unfortunately, became separated at this point. After separately exploring the cliffs, we met up again on the outskirts of Gharb. We followed the road to the left in the direction of the tiny village of Birbuba. Before reaching there, we took the road to the left leading past the Taz-Zejt chapel. Finally, we turned left towards San Lawrenz where we caught the bus back to Victoria.

13/05/2009 Xemxija - Golden Bay

With the weather geting warmer by the day, we'd decided this would be the last walk for the Wednesday group until September. We decided that the last walk of the spring would be one of our favourites, starting from our usual meeting place in Xemxija and ending at Golden Bay. We set off up the Roman road, turning left through the woods which extend for well over a mile across the Bajda ridge. Turning right at the end of the woods, we turned left, following the Manikata road for a few yards before carrying straight on to the cliffs above Golden Bay and their stunning views. We split into two groups, those who wanted to explore the cliffs further and those who wanted to take the more direct route. We turned left, behind the large hotel, then right and right again to meet up at the cafe above Golden Bay. Finally, a couple of us finished the walk with a dip in the sea.

11/05/2009 Zurrieq - Blue Grotto - Qrendi

We found our way through the narow twisting streets of Zurrieq, passing the impressive church on the way, and emerging on the road towards the Blue Grotto. Gradually descending the valley, we stopped several times to admire the views along the Wied Sabu. We followed the road down to the Blue Grotto taking a slight short cut down the rocky path that was once, presumably, the road to the Grotto. We spent some time time exploring the the Grotto but decided against a boat trip on this occasion. We retraced our steps up to the coast road and turned left in the direction of the Hagar Qim temple, stopping on the way to photograph the Wied Il-Zurrieq from above. Finally, we turned right to take the road into Qrendi to comlete our walk.

08/05/2009 Gozo: Victoria - Zebbug - Gharb

We turned right out of Victoria bus station, going straight on at the cossroads and then headed left, beneath the walls of the Citadel in the direction of Ghasri. We crossed the Zebbug road along a narrow road, turning right just before we got to Ghasri. Turning left into a wider road, we then walked through the attractive village of Zebbug, stopping to admire the church. We then followed a winding, rough road downhill that became a rough track, eventually bearing slightly left to bring us out at the valley of Wied Il-Ghasri. We skirted this valley and walked along a track that took us high above the cliffs. When we reached Wied Il-Mielah we took a short diversion to the right to photograph the spetacular sea arch; although eroded naturally, it looks for all the world like some huge ancient monument. We then returned to the path that led along the Wied Il-Mielah, now dry after weeks of little rain, eventually taking a right fork that brought us out at the delightful village of Gharb, where we sat a while to admire the attractive main square. We pomised we would return one day soon to visit the Folk Museum. From there, we rejoined the main road back to Victoria, stopping several times on the way to admire the views, particularly of the Ta Pinu church to our left.