Sunday Hikes: 6 Trails to Conquer this Spring in Malta and Gozo

The sunnier skies, warming temperatures and vibrant greenery can only mean one thing: Spring is here! This week we bring you six hiking trails to put on your Spring bucket list to head out and conquer with family and friends in tow.

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Start this hike at Buskett: the only conserved wooded area in the Maltese Islands. Areas with grass and benches provide an ideal spot for brunch. Afterwards, proceed by walking uphill through the meandering roads of Dingli, banked on either side with the typical rural rubble walls, known locally as ‘Ħajt tas-Sejjieħ.’ Finish off the hike with a walk around Dingli cliffs. The vantage point provides a panoramic vista of the Mediterranean Sea and the islet of Filfla. The sunnier skies, warming temperatures and vibrant greenery can only mean one thing: Spring is here! This week we bring you six hiking trails to put on your Spring bucket list to head out and conquer with family and friends in tow. 1. Buskett & Dingli Area (Malta)Start this hike at Buskett: the only conserved wooded area in the Maltese Islands. Areas with grass and benches provide an ideal spot for brunch. Afterwards, proceed by walking uphill through the meandering roads of Dingli, banked on either side with the typical rural rubble walls, known locally as ‘Ħajt tas-Sejjieħ.’ Finish off the hike with a walk around Dingli cliffs. The vantage point provides a panoramic vista of the Mediterranean Sea and the islet of Filfla.

The Victoria Lines, completed in 1897 is a series of fortified wall sections built during British Rule. They are uniquely located on a geographical fault line that split Malta into two distinct parts, providing the hiker with an expansive and unobstructed view of the North as well as the South. Start the hike from either the Western (Fomm ir-Riħ, Baħrija), or Eastern (Fort Madliena) starting point.

Hiking the Tas-Silġ trail is ideal for those looking for a customisable and easy route that doesn’t compromise on scenery. Start your walk in Marsaskala and head round the promenade towards the inner part of the bay. From here, follow the coastline to explore the St. Thomas Bay area and follow the roads leading to Delimara and Marsaxlokk. More ambitious hikers can opt for a detour and head to the Xrobb L-Għaġin Nature Park and conservation area.

This hike is the perfect excuse to explore all that the Northern part of Malta has to offer. Spend the morning exploring the iconic Popeye Village and after lunch, head across east to the town of Xemxija. Once on the so-called ‘Roman Road’, hikers will encounter a number of historical features in the area including structures that served as apiaries, cart ruts and burial tombs.

Mellieħa is Malta’s northernmost residential town yet also encompasses a large area of rural and conserved areas, providing one of Malta’s most scenic hikes. Head northeast from Għadira Bay and walk towards Marfa Ridge, easily identifiable by the looming Saint Agatha's Tower, locally known as the Red Tower due to its unique colour. From here, walk at a leisurely pace towards Ċirkewwa to make the most out of the garrigue cliff and coastal habitat that is a hallmark in Maltese geography.

For our last hike on our list, head over to Gozo’s renowned Ramla L-Ħamra Bay. Translated, the latter means ‘Red Sandy Bay,’ a name earned as a result of the sands’ unmistakable reddish hue. Hikers can start their trek from the sleepy town of Nadur and head towards Ramla Bay. After enjoying some time on the beach, hike up the hill towards Calypso Cave for a truly spectacular view of the surrounding vista.

Did we inspire you to take note of any hiking trails for the upcoming Spring in the Maltese Islands? Let us know in the comments below!