Moderate
Malta
- Distance
- 7.3 km / 4.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 96 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 46 min
Gozo Coastal Walk
ExpertMalta
- Distance
- 49.8 km (30.9 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 966 m (3,169 ft)
- Typical time
- 13 hr
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- 152 m (499 ft)
About Gozo Coastal Walk
Gozo Coastal Walk is a 49.8 km hiking route in Malta. It climbs roughly 1,095 m (3,593 ft) along the way. Most people take around 2 days at a comfortable pace, plus stops. The combination of distance, ascent and exposure puts this at the top end of what a day hike can be.
The coastline does the heavy lifting: cliff edges, coves and open horizon for most of the way.
It is a 49.8 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
Plan this one outside the summer months: cooler air makes the exposed sections far more pleasant. The nearest town of any size is San Pawl il-Baħar, about 18.1 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, Gozo Coastal Walk suits experienced mountain walkers who are comfortable with exposure, navigation and long descents. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Expert49.8 km966 m
Numbered marks every 10 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +966 m
- Descent
- −970 m
- High
- 152 m (499 ft)
- Low
- 2 m (7 ft)
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- Coastal
- Waymarked route
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Waymarked and signposted
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Best season
- October to May
- Waymarked
- Yes, signed on the ground
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 69/100
- Adventure
- 76/100
- Difficulty
- 100/100
- Accessibility
- 19/100
- Family
- 10/100
- Dogs
- 47/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for october to may for the most reliable conditions.
- Check the tide table if any part of the route runs along the beach.
- Break the route into stages and decide your turnaround time before you set off.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- Cliff edges may be unfenced and undercut. Keep well back from the drop, especially in wind.
Safety
Emergency services in Malta are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Real food, not just snacks
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Golden hour along the cliffs is the obvious call, and a slow shutter on the water at the base of the rocks adds movement. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Trails near Gozo Coastal Walk
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Moderate
Moderate
Malta
- Distance
- 9.4 km / 5.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 261 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 17 min
Easy
Malta
- Distance
- 2.5 km / 1.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 29 m
- Typical duration
- 37 min
Moderate
Moderate