Description

Marsalforn - the start and finish point for this hike - is something of an anomaly on Gozo, being busy and occasionally noisy.

Most of the island is peaceful and sleepy but Marsalforn is a bustling little village with a shallow harbour which provides some brilliant snorkelling.

The scuba diving industry in Marsalforn is a significant part of the local economy, and the village is a mecca for divers from across the globe. Start out on the village sea front and head north-east out of town onto a rocky but clear path which climbs away from civilisation and onto a rugged hillside.

The path is part of the Gozo Coastal Trail (which is described in detail in a FATMAP Guidebook) and is marked by pink paint dots, so it's easy to follow.

At times it's pretty rugged and rough, and it also goes through some pretty dense foliage at times, but you'll never struggle to navigate - confident hikers will have no problems.

The path used to take a different line but a major landslide caused a section of the trail to be destroyed.

There's actually an old trail which leads right up to the landslide and if you weren't concentrating it would be very possible to walk off the cliff which the landslide created.

Pay attention! Keep following the trail as it winds dramatically to Ix-Xtajta Bay and then further onto Ramla Bay, Gozo's largest and most popular sandy beach.

If you've done some sweating on the hike then a jump in the sea will help to reduce your core temperature! Suitably cooled off, head up paths and then a road which climbs to the northern end of Xaghra village.

The climb up will feel pretty tough on a hot day, but once you reach the village suburbs you can't help but enjoy the sleepy ambience.

Stroll through quiet streets and then begin the long, winding descent down to Marsalforn, where refreshments await!