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Gozo Coastal Walk
All you need to know about the fantastic circular hiking trail on Maltas little sister island

Looking for some great hiking in Gozo? You have come to the right place, as the Gozo Coastal Walk is the answer you are looking for!

The relatively unknown Gozo Coastal Walk is an easy and absolutely scenic multi-day hike around the small Mediterranean island of Gozo which can alternatively be done in individual day hikes.

My personal highlight of this hike around Gozo island are its spectacular cliffs. But to be honest, the entire coastline is just stunningly beautiful.

I have hiked all sections of this outstanding island tour but not in one go, and I am planing on re-hiking them again next year. This circular walk around Gozo island is just that awesome!

Here you can find out everything you need to know about the Gozo Coastal Walk, including the route, my highlights along the way and useful tips for hiking in Gozo.

Jan traverses the rugged, sandy terrain along the steep limestone cliffs of Gozo's coastline, with the vast, tranquil blue Mediterranean Sea extending to the horizon.
The beautiful Gozo coastline in the north west of the island

Gozo Coastal Walk – Overview & Map

The Gozo Coastal Walk is a multi-day hike around the island of Gozo. The 67m² large (or small) sister island of Malta is located south of Sicily, about 6km (3,7mi) northwest of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea.

Gozo Coastal Walk overview
Stages: 4 | Length: 50km (31miles) | Altitude meters: ↑ 1000 & ↓ 1000 | Difficulty: easy

FAQ’s on the Gozo Coastal Walk

How difficult is the Gozo Coastal Trail?

The individual daily stages are not particularly long or difficult. There are only a few slightly challenging and short ascents to master. For the most part, however, the route is on flat paths.

This tour leads along limestone paths, dirt tracks, footpaths and smaller country roads. Some sections are also without recognizable trail and lead over open land, e.g. wide rock slabs.

Wherever possible and where it is not too dangerous or on privately owned land, the route follows the scenic coastline with its spectacular cliffs, salt pans and small rocky coves.

I do also recommend this multi-day tour to hiking beginners, as long as you can navigate with a hiking app and / or gps, you will have no problems.

How is the Gozo Coastal Walk signposted?

Unfortunately, there are no signs or signposts for the Gozo Coastal Trail. You basically have to navigate completely by yourself!

For this very reason, I strongly recommend having a hiking app with offline maps with you or an up-to-date reference book with the detailed hiking route.

Be aware that the maps in the hiking apps are not always up-to-date, correct or complete when it comes to the private properties along the trek.

Is there accommodation along the Gozo Coastal Walk

That Gozo hiking trail passes villages with accommodation on a regular basis. Alternatively, each stage ends at a bus stop.

This means you could also stay overnight in Victoria (⇨ My hotel recommendation) and take the bus to the start and end of the daily stages every day.

When is the best time to hike the Gozo Coastal Walk?

The summer months are not suitable for hiking in Gozo or Malta in general due to the extreme heat.

From the beginning of June to the end of September, I would even strongly advise against hiking on the islands, as the risk of sunstroke or overheating is simply too great.

In the cooler off-season during the winter months, from the beginning of November until the end of March, the temperatures on the Maltese archipelago are pleasantly mild and absolutely ideal for hiking.

I was in Malta in mid-November and hiked the individual stages. As you can see from the pictures, I was only wearing short summer clothes.

My tip: Hiking in Gozo along the Gozo Coastal Walk is particularly beautiful from mid-October to the end of November. The Mediterranean still has mild temperatures, and you can make plenty of swim stops along the route. Even I, a frostbite, went swimming in mid-November without hesitation!

The serene Wied il-Għasri gorge along the Gozo Coastal Walk, a popular swimming and diving spot, is seen from above with its steep cliffs surrounding a narrow cove of azure waters and visitors enjoying the secluded beach
Wied il-Għasri gorge
Jan walks beside the traditional salt pans etched into the limestone coast of Gozo, beneath a sky with scattered clouds.
Traditional salt pans north of Marsalforn

Gozo Coastal Walk route & stages

The official document from the tourist office suggests 5 stages of 10km (6,2miles) each. I would rather divide the Gozo Coastal Walk into 4 sections of about 11-16 km each.

The start and finish points of my stages offer accommodation, but also a bus stop if you decide to base yourself in Victoria. My accommodation suggestions can be booked all year round, even in winter.

Out of convenience, I would start the island tour in Mgarr, the ferry port to the sister island of Malta.

Stage 1: Mgarr to Xlendi
Hiking time: 3.5 h | Length: 12km (7,5mi) | Altitude meters: ↑ 270 & ↓ 240 |
Overnight stay: Avalon – Bellevue Gozo

Stage 2: Xlendi to San Lawrenz
Hiking time: 3.5 h | Length: 11.5km (7,1mi) | Altitude meters: ↑ 340 & ↓ 240 |
Overnight stay: Ta’ Lorenzo

Stage 3: San Lawrenz to Marsalforn
Hiking time: 4 h | Length: 12km (7,5mi) | Altitude meters: ↑ 140 & ↓ 230 |
Overnight stay: SeaBreeze Casablanca Flat

Stage 4: Marsalforn to Mgarr
Hiking time: 5 h | Length: 16km (10mi) | Altitude meters: ↑ 360 & ↓ 360 |
Overnight stay: Grand Hotel Gozo

My tip: If, like me, you prefer one location to return to every evening, I recommend the Casa Gemelli Boutique Guesthouse in the city center of Victoria, just a few steps away from the Bus terminal.

Linda enjoys the breathtaking view from Gozo's rugged cliffs, sitting atop a rock face gazing out into the expansive Mediterranean Sea
Taking a break while hiking along the Gozo Coastal Walk between San Lawrenz and Marsalforn

Highlights along the Gozo Coastal Walk

Actually, the entire route of this coastal walk around Gozo is a single highlight in itself and belongs to the most beautiful places on the Maltese archipelago.

But if I have to point out some attractions along the way, it would be these natural beauties, listed in the order of the walking route:

  • A fantastic spot for a break in the middle of stage 1 is the Xlendi Tower, built in 1650 by the Order of St. John, overlooking the sea and Xlendi bay.
  • The scenic Dwejra Bay lies at the end of the 2nd stage. The calm waters of the inland sea are perfect for a swim, and snorkellers can explore the famous Blue Hole, both located in Dwejra Bay. This place is also well known for its beautiful sunsets.
  • Wied il-Għasri, a little further along stage 3, is a rocky coastal gorge with a beautiful turquoise river that is perfect for a swim stop.
  • Shortly before the end of stage 3, you pass the salt pans of Malsalforn. A scenic stretch of coastline where salt is still traditionally extracted today.
  • My highlight on stage 4 is Ramla Bay. A small, really steep path leads from the beach to the Tal Mixta cave (a short detour from the main hiking route) from where you can admire and overlook the beach in all its beauty.
Linda stands in the Tal-Mixta Cave, gazing out at the sunlit Ramla Beach on Gozo, with the cave's silhouette framing the sparkling blue waters and sandy shore. This cave is just a short detour away from the great hiking trail, the Gozo Coastal walk.
Tal-Mixta Cave

Hiking tips for the Gozo Coastal Walk

  • There are no hiking signposts on the entire island, including the Gozo Coastal Trail! Therefore, you should definitely have an offline hiking map and gpx with you or follow the route descriptions in a hiking guide.
  • Watch out for private properties! Especially as there are no signposts, it’s easy to accidentally stand in front of the entrance to a private site.

    This has happened to me several times, as some of these are not listed on my Hiking-App and I didn’t always have my hiking guide to hand.
  • There are actually no trees on the coastline of Gozo and therefore hardly any shade. Never set off on a hike without a sun hat, sun cream and enough to drink. Even in winter, the sun’s rays are very strong, and I got a little sun burn in January.
  • If you don’t want to spend every night in different hotels, you can choose a central place to sleep and take the bus to the start and finish of each stage in the morning and evening. This is what I did, and I would do it again in this way.

    Since it is very easy getting around in Gozo by public transport and as all buses go to and leave from Victoria, I recommend the islands’ capital as a base.

⇨ My hiking base recommendation is the Casa Gemelli Boutique Guesthouse in the city center of Victoria, just a few steps away from the Bus terminal.

Jan walks on a dusty trail bordered by traditional dry stone walls on the Gozo Coastal Walk. Terraced fields and a rural landscape stretching into the distance under a cloudy sky.
A little inland stretch along the fantastic Gozo Coastal Trail

Getting to Gozo

To get to Gozo, you first need to fly to Malta. Fortunately, the flight time from lots of European airports is only around 3 hours and there are quite a lot of flights to the island, all year round.

My tip: I do use kiwi to compare and find the best and cheapest flights

The bus X1 departures Malta International Airport every 40 minutes to the ferry terminal in Cirkewwa, from where there are several boat crossings an hour to Mgarr on Gozo. ⇨ Everything you need to know about the ferry travel between Malta and Gozo.

A naturally sculpted limestone formation on the golden shores of Gozo, under a clear sky dotted with clouds, overlooking the serene Mediterranean Sea.
A beautiful sculpted limestone formation
The majestic Wied il-Mielaħ Window on Gozo, a natural limestone arch perched above the deep blue sea, with climbers ascending its towering cliffs, under a partly cloudy sky.
Wied il-Mielaħ Window

Conclusion

The Gozo Coastal Walk is an outstanding and easy multi-day hike for hikers of all fitness level. It can easily be done in individual day walks due to its connection by bus at the end and beginning of each stage.

The only challenge you will face when hiking in Gozo is the lack of signposting. But with a hiking guide and / or offline navigation, this is not a problem.

Hiking in Malta, especially on the Gozo Coastal Walk, offers a wealth of natural beauty and a great opportunity to escape the miserable winter weather of Northern Europe.

Catch some sun and warmth while enjoying the breathtaking nature of this beautiful and often underrated Mediterranean island.

More about Malta, Gozo and Comino

Linda is a travel blogging expert, avid hiker, and island enthusiast. Particularly during the chilly German winters, she finds myself drawn to the sunny European islands. Her mission is to simplify and enhance your island vacations by providing you with all the necessary information for a seamless and fantastic holiday experience.