The hike to the statue is short and steep, but the final 2 metres of it are the crux - you can't reach the madonna without doing a couple of very easy scrambling moves. If you stopped just below the madonna then the FATMAP grade of this hike drops to "moderate".

Drive out of Victoria (or catch the bus) and park up at a large, dusty parking area opposite the Ivory Suite wedding venue. Hike north up the road towards Marsalforn and then turn off left onto a concrete track with a no entry sign which has "farmers only" written on it. There's a photo of the sign attached to this adventure. Despite going into seemingly private land, this hike appears to be perfectly legal, so don't worry too much about passing the sign.

Once off the road the concrete track climbs and quickly turns into a rocky path. The rocky path is pretty steep and, under the hot sun, the ascent can feel tough despite its short length. The views reveal themselves gradually and before you know it you're beneath the madonna with Marsalforn bay and much of Gozo's interior laid out below you. Scramble easily up to the madonna and soak it all in.

Head back down the same way and toast one of the easiest summit hikes in Malta with a drink in Marsalforn!