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Wednesday  October 4th  2023

 Qrendi - Siggiewi Area

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•    Meeting Point :  We meet in the Qrendi Parish Church Square.

•    Meeting Time :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts :      2.30pm.

•    Buses:               72 from Valetta.

 

We walk into the narrow Triq il-Parrocca.  Pass a small chapel and Guarena Palace.  Pass also San Niklaw Church and Tal-Providenza Divina Church.  Proceed to Hal-Xluq and the statue of Santa Marija. Nearby we see the medieval Church of Hal-Xluq.  Pass also Qrendi Reservoir.  On our way back we pass the unique mediaeval octagonal Torri tal-Kaptan and Kullegg San Benedettu.  Turn left and soon emerge into the Qrendi Church Square again.

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Saturday October 14th  2023 

 Xemxija - Manikata

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•    Meeting Point :   We park our cars in the car park at the bottom of Xemxija Hill.

•    Meeting Time :    2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts :       2.30pm.

•    Buses:                41, 42, 49 from Valletta. 221 from Bugibba, 222 from Sliema Ferry.

 

We park our cars in the car park at the bottom of Xemxija Hill.

We walk inland away from the bay towards a chapel with a hermit’s cave nearby.  We make our way to the top of Bajda Ridge and walk amongst thousands of young trees with distant views towards Pwales Valley and the “new church” of Manikata.  Our way back is along a straight path with occasional views across Mistra valley.  Towards the end of the walk we pass some of Malta’s oldest tombs which date to nearly 4000 BC.  From here we make our way downhill towards Xemxija Bay and back to our cars.

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Saturday  October  28th 2023 

 Buskett - Madonna Tal-Girgenti

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•    Meeting Point :  We meet in front of Verdala Palace near Buskett, close to bus stop Verdala.

•    Meeting Time :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts     :  2.30pm.  sharp

•    Buses              :  56 from Valletta.    181 from Mater Dei Hospital.

 

We walk round to the back of the castle, pass the picnic area and when close to the "Tinda" we turn left into the area where the old Buskett farmhouses have been so beautifully restored.  Just before reaching the second farmhouse, we leave the normal pathways and climb up a single file track through the tall trees and eventually come out of the back of Buskett - note the 1950's subterranean flour mill on the right-hand side.  We pass the Inquisitor's Palace and soon start the long downhill to the Madonna Tal-Girgenti shrine, with lovely views across the Girgenti valley.  Over the little bridge that crosses the stream and we start the gentle climb, in an anti-clockwise direction, all the way round the back of Buskett back to Verdala Castle and our cars.

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Wednesday November 1st 2023

 

 Roman Baths

 

• Meeting Point  :    The Roman Baths are situated on the Zebbiegh-Ghajn Tuffieha road, very close to the Ghajn Tuffi to the Ghajn Tuffieha end.  Park either on the main road or go down the narrow road and park cl  road and park close to the Baths.

• Meeting Time     :    2.15pm

• Walk Starts        :    2.30pm

• Buses                 :    44 and 238 from Valletta, 101 from Mellieha.  Stop on Bus Stop Banjijiet.

 

For the first half of the walk we proceed along paths and tracks that take us near the Ghajn Tuffieha car park, were we have our break.  For the second half, we climb to the top of the headland, where we follow a narrow path over the garigue to Lippija Tower with lovely views all the way.

 

 

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Saturday  November 4th 2023

 Wardija

"The Paul Debono Memorial Walk"

Walkers are asked to donate to the The Malta Hospice

 

• Meeting Point  :    To get to the starting point of the walk, turn by the side of Lidl Supermarket, (ex  Scotts) in Burmarrad (close to Bus Stop Qannotta).  Drive up to Wardija and at T-junction turn left; pass the School and park close to Castello Dei Baroni.

• Meeting Time  :    2.15pm

• Walk Starts      :    2.30pm

• Buses              :    31, 41, 42, 45, 48 from Valletta.  186 from Rabat, 203 from Sliema, 250 from Mater Dei Hospital.   Stop on Bus Stop Qannotta, in front of Lidl Supermarket (ex Scotts).

 

We go to the cliffs edge to enjoy a spectacular view of Wied Qannotta underneath.  Next, we go in a path, passing an old girna and ahead we reach St. Martin’s Chapel visible at a distance.  Ahead we reach the Zebbiegh–St. Martin Road and enter St. Martin’s Cave and Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary.

Soon we continue up the road and enter a wide plateau and continue on narrow tracks, till we reach a Roman quarry and pass under a nice arch and soon we are on asphalt again.  Ahead we pass Palazzo Busietta and soon emerge into Triq Busewdien and continue back to our cars.

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Saturday November 11th

Gozo

 Mgarr Harbour to Mgarr ix-Xini

 

• Meeting Point  :    Gozo Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

• Meeting Time  :    10.00am

• Walk Starts      :    10.20am.

 

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From Mgarr Harbour we go up among trees till we reach Fort Chambray.  We walk a narrow path all the way on top of the fort’s ditch and emerge into a path by the side of the fort.  At the end of this path we can enjoy wonderful views from this high point.  We start descending a steep downhill on the right, till we reach ix-Xatt l-Ahmar and a well preserved Knights-era fougasse.  We soon reach the Fessej Rock and the Mgarr ix-Xini Tower.  We continue and zigzag ahead from a narrow path, till we reach the Knights “steps” and down to Mgarr ix-Xini, where the Knights sheltered their galleys.

After the break, we go up Triq ta’ Mgarr ix-Xini with the deep Wied Hanzira on our right.  Mid-way along this long street we cross the valley from a long path on our right. We go up at the other side between rocks and the frontal narrow path.  We will be walking on country roads on the outskirts of Xewkija, until we reach Ghajnsielem through secondary asphalted roads.  Near Triq L-Imgarr roundabout we go down through Triq Lourdes and back to the Gozo Channel Sea Terminal.

 

 

Saturday November 25th 2023

 Qrendi - Siggiewi Area

 

•    Meeting Point   :   We meet in the Qrendi Parish Church Square.

•    Meeting Time   :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts      :   2.30pm.

•    Buses              :   72 from Valetta.

 

We walk into the narrow Triq il-Parrocca.  Pass a small chapel and Guarena Palace.  Pass also San Niklaw Church and Tal-Providenza Divina Church.  Proceed to Hal-Xluq and the statue of Santa Marija. Nearby we see the medieval Church of Hal-Xluq.  Pass also Qrendi Reservoir.  On our way back we pass the unique mediaeval octagonal Torri tal-Kaptan and Kullegg San Benedettu.  Turn left and soon emerge into the Qrendi Church Square again.

 

 

Wednesday December 6th 2023 

 Bidnija - San Martin - Zebbiegh Area

 

•    Meeting Point :   We park our cars close to Bidnija Church

•    Meeting Time  :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts      :   2.30pm.  sharp

•    Buses               :   103 from Pembroke, Park & Ride.   Stop on Bus Stop Bidnija.

 

We walk away from the church towards the Bidnija shooting range and soon pass a fireworks factory. After crossing the Zebbiegh to Wardija road we walk round the ‘walled’ San Martin estate and onwards to the underground chapel.  After a short break we walk to the church of Zebbiegh and the ‘duck sanctuary’.  Here we turn northwards and on our way back to our cars we pass cart ruts and a field wall made of abnormally large rectangular stones (possibly Roman).

 

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Wednesday December 9th 2023

Cottonera Bastions

 

• Meeting Point :   We park our cars in the large free public car park before the Senglea Gate -     close to bus stop  close to bus stop "Bieb".

• Meeting Time  :    2.15pm

• Walk Starts      :    2.30pm

• Buses               :    1 from Valletta, 124 from Marsascala, 213 from Mater Dei Hospital.

 

For almost the entirety of this walk we will be following the sea front around Senglea and Birgu, at the foot of the bastions.  After going through Senglea Gate, we climb some steps and proceed to the top of the bastions overlooking the Drydocks.  It was here, in Dock Number 3 just below us, that the Libyan tanker Um El Faroud blew up in 1995 killing 9 workers.  The view from up here is breathtaking with the Drydocks to our left and the Valletta bastions across the harbour.  After a while we descend to sea level and walk all the way round the Senglea peninsula with lovely views of the breakwater and Fort St Angelo.  We walk all the way into the creek, passing the Macina, Dock No. 1 and the American University of Malta.  On the other side of the bay, we pass the Freedom monument, the Maritime Museum and continue towards the bridge below Fort St Angelo.  We turn to the right and emerge on the other side of the Birgu peninsula where we continue along the sea front below the bastions.  When we reach the Kalkara main road, we head inland and make our way back to our cars.

 

 

Saturday  December 23rd 2023

 Roman Baths

 

• Meeting Point  :    The Roman Baths are situated on the Zebbiegh-Ghajn Tuffieha road, very close to the Ghajn Tuffi to the Ghajn Tuffieha end.  Park either on the main road or go down the narrow road and park cl  road and park close to the Baths.

• Meeting Time  :    2.15pm

• Walk Starts     :    2.30pm

• Buses              :    44 and 238 from Valletta, 101 from Mellieha.  Stop on Bus Stop Banjijiet.

 

For the first half of the walk we proceed along paths and tracks that take us near the Ghajn Tuffieha car park, were we have our break.  For the second half, we climb to the top of the headland, where we follow a narrow path over the garigue to Lippija Tower with lovely views all the way.

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Advice For Walkers

                                                                     

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This section provides advice for anyone taking part in a walk organised by the Malta Geographical Society.

Most walks involve using paths around and occasionally across fields; they can be uneven and muddy. In spring and summer you may have to cope with vegetation on and next to the paths.

Our walks are led by experienced walk leaders.

Here there is advice on clothing, what to bring on walks and good practice for group walks.

       All walkers

 

• Note that walks start at the time given on the walk program. Anyone who wants to join the walk after it has started or who decides to leave before it has finished should make sure the leader knows.

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    Parking

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• The Society  encourages car sharing to get to walks – partly to reduce our carbon footprint and partly to ensure we all can park.

      Clothing/Footwear  

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• Anyone coming on a Society walk should be suitably clothed. A list of essential items includes:

• a pair of walking boots or shoes,also a spare pair of shoes in the car

• a waterproof jacket, outdoor trousers; a hat of some sort depending on the weather, something to eat and drink. Water is important to keep you hydrated.

• A walking pole is useful and a whistle for emergencies and for wet weather a pair of over trousers.

• Something to sit on to protect against the damp and the cold is important.

• Some may wish to bring a first aid-kit, a change of clothing and sun-glasses and sun cream. 
   

      Food and drink

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• Bring food and drink  for the refreshment breaks. 

 

      Accidents/incidents

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• Alert the walk leader immediately if you feel unwell or need medical attention.

In the event of an incident/accident occurring report it to the Secretary or Chairman as soon as possible after the walk.

•    Leaders do carry First Aid kits and have basic First Aid training.

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    On the walk

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     The walk coordinator is in charge and responsible for ensuring the safety of the group and follow all instructions when directed. Do not move ahead of the walk coordinator.

     It is important that we all play a part in keeping walkers in touch on a walk. If you need to go into the bushes please tell someone so that they can tell the leader. Please let someone know if you are stopping – for whatever reason. Be aware of the walkers behind you at path junctions and ensure they have seen you turn off onto a sometimes hidden path.

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     We ask all walkers to respect protected plants and vegetation and to leave no trace of food/fruit as it will take months to decompose. Take any rubbish that you have accumulated on the walk home with you.

    Particular care should be taken when walking along a road without a pavement. You are advised to walk single file and face the oncoming traffic unless blind bends make this dangerous. Please take care when crossing a road and when walking on quiet, narrow lanes and try to keep to one side, normally the right hand side.

    When using gates make sure that any gate is left as found, and not left open when it should be closed. When walking across a field and through crops keep as close as you can to any obvious route but sometimes the leader has to rely on a map to guide the way. Please walk in single file where the pathway is narrow and keep together and walk briskly when using the public footpaths which go through private gardens close to houses.

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    A farmer/land manager may have posted notices with instructions for walkers; look out for these. Similarly there may be notices from local councils saying that a path is obstructed for some reason and advising an alternative route.