If you’re a local and you feel like you do not know Gozo enough, this one is for you. Embarking on a remote, adventurous hike in Gozo is always a great idea to explore the beauty of the island. Your doubt of not knowing exactly where to go should not stop you. Here we share 3 beautiful walks to take-up on your next Gozo visit:
1. Xlendi to Ta’ Cenc Cliffs
Starting point: Xlendi bay | Duration: 1 hour
Go to the left of this beautiful bay and keep walking past all restaurants and cafes. The walk will eventually lead you up a couple of stairs bringing you closer to the picturesque view of the sea, as you slowly start leaving Xlendi behind you.
As you keep walking, the route will bring you to this absolutely gorgeous fjord. You will most probably not resist taking a couple of pictures of this.
But keep going! There is still plenty of natural beauty to discovered.
Once past the fjord and further up the hill, you will notice the prominent Xlendi tower standing tall in the distance. This used to be a watch tower during the Knights of Malta era and it was built in the 1650. It is the oldest watch tower on the island.
Keeping to your left and away for the tower in the distance, you have now initiated the steady trail towards Ta’ Cenc cliffs.
After a good 5 minute walk, you will be welcomed by the views of the vast Mediterranean sea to your right. This creates a spectacular backdrop against the sheer rugged cliffs, rising an impressive height of 120 meters above the sea level. The echoey sound of the constant waves crashing at the very bottom of the cliffs might be a little daunting, a reminder of how high you really are.
You can really keep going on as much as you like, the scenery will only get better and better! Just make sure you have enough storage space in your phone as you are definitely prone to capture more than one shot!
2. Mgarr Harbour to Hondoq Bay
Starting point: Triq iz-Zewwieqa Promenade | Duration: 1 hour
Triq iz-Zewwieq is a long, scenic stretch of road affording beautiful vistas of Mgarr Harbour. You can start from the promenade (see below left image) and continue to make your way up, until you reach Triq ic-Cawla.
Triq ic-Cawla will eventually lead to the off-the-beaten track towards Hondoq Bay. After a short 5 minute walk, you should be on a white path amidst the countryside (see above right image).
If you walk along this path you will always be accompanied by the scenic view of Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon across the blue sea. The view is quite a stunner.
This quirky route has a few interesting surprises along the way, including two small, but very pretty inlets that are totally hidden. On a super calm day, these inlets are a haven to anyone searching for a truly secluded bay. The water in these inlets is very fresh and invigorating as it is kept sheltered between the fjords.
If you manage to take yourself away from admiring these pretty bays, you’re not far from your final destination!
A short 10 minute walk will eventually lead to you to Hondoq Bay, one of Gozo’s most loved beaches. Here, you can buy a beverage from the nearby kiosk to rehydrate yourself or perhaps even take a dip in Hondoq’s inviting water.
3. From Kantra to Mgarr ix-Xini
Starting point: Il-Kantra bay in Sannat village | Duration: 45 minutes
Drive to the village of Sannat, all the way towards il-Kantra bay. After parking your car, go to your left and start making your way down to the countryside.
A very pleasant walk along the rugged coastline offers some truly dramatic panoramas of the sparkling Mediterranean sea - an ideal location to snap some pictures.
After a while, you should start nearing towards Mgarr ix-Xini which will immediately captivate you by its charming beauty. The inlet is embraced by the cliffs on either side and The Knight's watch tower built in 1661 still stands proudly guarding over the entrance to the inlet.
Going down stone steps you will notice a restaurant just above the small pebbled beach and some water sport activities that you can take up if you want to have a break from walking.