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Last ​​Summer 2025 Walk

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Thursday, September 18th

Birzebbugia – Wied il-Qoton

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• Meeting Point :   We park our cars in the vicinity of Birzebbugia Church.  

• Meeting Time  :    5.00pm

• Walk Starts      :    5.15pm

• Buses               :    80 and 82 from Valletta.

• Location          :    Google Maps Click here

 

We go behind the church towards the football ground and go through a path close to it.  We emerge in crossroads and go towards Ta’ San Saina Area and continue down a track.  We go in the valley bed and soon up to enter a narrow path and pass a central path between trees.  We soon reach a huge reservoir and go towards Loreto Chapel.  We turn around some fields and come back to continue in a path parallel to the main road.

Ahead we pass San Leonardu fireworks factory and soon we reach the crossroads with aircraft landing lights and ahead soon turn sharp left and continue on this narrow road along Wied il-Qoton.  We turn left by the pillbox and up all the way and ahead turn right around newly built rubble walls and continue till we reach a Y junction; turn right and continue straight all the way.  As we pass huge concrete blocks on the left, we go down a narrow road till we reach Triq in-Noqra and at the end turn right and up to the Parish Church and our transport.

 

Duration: 2.15 hours.   Rating: medium to easy walk

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October to December 2025 Walks

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Wednesday, October 1st

Tal-Virtu Seminary - San Blas Chapel

 

•    Meeting Point :   We park our cars in front of the Archbishop's Seminary at Tal-Virtu in Rabat.

•    Meeting Time  :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts      :   2.30pm.

•    Buses               :   53 from Valletta.  181 from Mater Dei Hospital.  Stop on bus stop Caruana.

•    Location          :    Google Maps Click here

 

While waiting for the members to gather, one can enjoy the lovely views from the belvedere and have a quick look at the sundial within the grounds of the seminary.

We start the walk in an easterly direction towards the domed chapel, which used to be in a derelict state but has now been beautifully restored.  We circle the perimeter wall of the chapel and walk down a steep hill towards San Blas chapel where we turn northwards towards the Caritas Drug Rehabilitation centre. After the break, we continue walking amongst fields passing St James chapel and cross the route of the Malta Railway (1880-1931) in two places.  We pass the "start markers' used for the horse and donkey races on Mnarja from the time of the Grandmasters and walk up the steep hill back to Tal-Virtu with the ex-Verdala Hotel prominent on the horizon.

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Saturday, October 11th

Bidnija - L-Imselliet

 

• Meeting Point :  We park our cars in the vicinity of Bidnija church.

• Meeting Time :  2.15pm.

• Walk Starts     :  2.30pm.

• Buses              :  103 from Mosta centre,every hour.  Stop on bus stop Bidnija near Bidnija Church.

 

Facing the church, we walk along the road on the left of the Church. When we pass a derelict house, we continue going downhill all the way to the Mosta to Burmarrad main road where we turn southwards.  If possible, we walk up Wied Ghajn Rihana, but if conditions do not permit, we walk up Wied L-Arkata instead. In either case, we eventually come to Wied L-Imselliet where we continue upstream.  Just below St Andrea School, we climb out of the valley and take a roundabout route back to Bidnija church and our cars.

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Saturday, October 25th

Bridge Over Chadwick Lakes

 

•    Meeting Point  :  We park our cars at Chadwick Lakes at the bottom of the steep hill from Mtarfa.

•    Meeting Time  :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts      :   2.30pm.

•    Buses               :   51 from Valletta, 182 from Mater Dei Hospital. Stop on bus stop Palma or Antoine.

 

The walk starts from the bridge over Chadwick Lakes, where we take a narrow path up Wied Armla with the “Qolla” on our right.  At the top, we make our way to the Dwejra Lines and walk over the beautifully restored footbridge at Bingemma Gap.Leaving the Victoria Lines, we pass Nadur Tower and soon find ourselves in the picturesque hamlet of Ghemieri, where we meander down the valley surrounded by fruit trees.  After passing the Fiddien booster station, we follow the Chadwick Lakes back to our cars.

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Wednesday, November 5th

Gharghur - Victoria Lines - San Pawl Tat-Targa

 

•    Meeting Point :   We park our cars in the vicinity of Gharghur Church.

•    Meeting Time  :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts      :   2.30pm.

•    Buses               :    46 from Valletta, 260 from Mater Dei Hospital.  Stop on Bus Stop Gharghur in front of the Parish Church.

 

From the church, we walk in the general direction of Madliena, heading down into the valley where we go over the bridge, past Busietta Gardens.  Towards the top of the valley, we follow a lane down amongst some expensive villas that take us to the Victoria Lines.  We follow the lines southwards and soon cross Wied Il-Faham by walking down and up some very steep steps. We continue along the Lines until we come to a small public garden, where we turn down hill.  Here we have views of the valley bottom in front of us and some interesting caves on our right. On the valley floor we pass “The Ear” that was used by the British for detecting enemy aircraft taking off from Sicilian airfields in WWII - before the invention of radar!  We continue up the Victoria Lines to San Pawl Tat-Targa and meander back along the “quarry” road to our cars.

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Saturday, November 15th

Il-Maqluba - Hagar Qim

 

•    Meeting Point  :  To get to the starting point of the walk, take the road under the runway at the airport to the next roundabout.  Turn right and then follow the signs for Qrendi.  Once on the Qrendi by-pass, keep going on to the very end, where we find the Chapel of St. Matthew’s and Il-Maqluba.

•    Meeting Time :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts     :   2.30pm.

•    Buses             :   74 from Valletta.  Stop on Bus Stop Maqluba.

 

If time permits, we can have a quick look at “Il-Maqluba” before the walk starts, but remember that the walk starts at 2.30pm. We start by taking the road towards Hagar Qim, passing the only 2-faced sundial in the Maltese islands. Immediately after crossing the Zurrieq to Ghar-Lapsi road, we walk down a track along Wied Hoxt. Enjoying lovely sea views towards Filfla, we pass Hamrija Tower and the Congreve memorial (the Governor of Malta, Sir Walter Norris Congreve, was buried at sea between here and Filfla). After a short break, we pass below Mnajdra and if we have time, we will take a quick look at the Misqa tanks. We walk round the outside perimeter of Hagar Qim and meander back towards Il-Maqluba and our cars.

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Saturday, November 29th

Tal-Virtu Seminary - San Blas Chapel

 

•    Meeting Point :   We park our cars in front of the Archbishop's Seminary at Tal-Virtu in Rabat.

•    Meeting Time  :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts      :   2.30pm.

•    Buses               :   53 from Valletta.  181 from Mater Dei Hospital.  Stop on bus stop Caruana.

 

While waiting for the members to gather, one can enjoy the lovely views from the belvedere and have a quick look at the sundial within the grounds of the seminary.

We start the walk in an easterly direction towards the domed chapel, which used to be in a derelict state, now been beautifully restored. We circle the perimeter wall of the chapel and walk down a steep hill towards San Blas chapel, where we turn northwards towards the Caritas Drug Rehabilitation centre. After the break we continue walking amongst fields passing St James chapel and cross the route of the Malta Railway (1880-1931) in two places. We pass the "start markers”(used for the horse and donkey races on Mnarjafrom the time of the Grandmasters) and walk up the steep hill back to Tal-Virtu with the ex-Verdala Hotel (now the new Verdala Wellness Hotel) prominent on the horizon.

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Wednesday, December 3rd

Ghadira – Red Tower – Poyeye Village

 

• Meeting Point :  We park our cars in front of Ghadira Police Station, near Bus Stop GHADIRA

• Meeting Time :   2.15pm

• Walk Starts     :   2.30pm

• Buses              :  41, 42, 49, X300 from Valletta, 221 from Bugibba, 222 from Sliema Ferry.  Stop on Bus Stop Ghadira.

 

From behind the bus stop we walk the path around the Nature Reserve.  After passing the green summer houses’ we turn inland and uphill and make our way to the Red Tower.  We can investigate some lovely old beehives close to the tower. We turn left onto a surfaced road and soon go down some steep steps where there are more old beehives to investigate. We continue down a steep path, by-pass WWTP and make our way to Popeye Village.  We continue on the county paths close to Danish Village and back to our cars.

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Saturday, December 13th

St Thomas Bay - Zonqor Point

 

•    Meeting Point :   We park our cars on the left-hand side of St Thomas Bay.

•    Meeting Time  :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts      :   2.30pm.

•    Buses              :   91 from Valletta.  Stop on bus stop BAJJA at St. Thomas Bay.

 

We walk northwards, keeping as close to the coastline as possible.  At Mignuna Point we pause to see the only sundial engraved on Globigerina rock.  After skirting the ex-Jerma Palace Hotel, we can either walk along the promenade or, for the more adventurous, go down the ramp and along the sea shore.  We follow the promenade around Marsaskala Bay and continue all the way to Zonqor Point. Here we leave the promenade and walk on a wide track along the coast.  At the Knights-era tower, we turn inland, cross the 'old' Zabbar to Marsaskala road and pass through the quaint little village of Bidni, where we can see the Three Crosses monument, the chapel and remnants of a sundial on one of the old houses.  We take a short cut through the Family Park and proceed along a country road back to St Thomas Bay.

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Saturday, December 27th

Gharghur - Victoria Lines - San Pawl Tat-Targa

 

•    Meeting Point :   We park our cars in the vicinity of Gharghur Church.

•    Meeting Time  :   2.15pm.

•    Walk Starts      :   2.30pm.

•    Buses              :   46 from Valletta,  260 from Mater Dei Hospital.  Stop on Bus Stop Gharghur in front of the Parish Church.

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From the church, we walk in the general direction of Madliena, heading down into the valley where we go over the bridge, past Busietta Gardens. Towards the top of the valley, we follow a lane down amongst some expensive villas that take us to the Victoria Lines.  We follow the lines southwards and soon cross Wied Il-Faham by walking down and up some very steep steps.  We continue along the Lines until we come to a small public garden, where we turn downhill.  Here we have views of the valley bottom in front of us and some interesting caves on our right. On the valley floor we pass “The Ear” that was used by the British for detecting enemy aircraft taking off from Sicilian airfields in WWII - before the invention of radar.  We continue up the Victoria Lines to San Pawl tat-Targa and meander back along the “quarry” road to our cars.

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​​Advice for Walkers

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This section provides advice for anyone taking part in a walk organised by the Malta Geographical Society.

Most walks involve using paths around and occasionally across fields; they can be uneven and muddy. In spring and summer you may have to cope with vegetation on and next to the paths.

Our walks are led by experienced walk leaders.

Here there is advice on clothing, what to bring on walks and good practice for group walks.

       All walkers

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• Note that walks start at the time given on the walk program. Anyone who wants to join the walk after it has started or who decides to leave before it has finished should make sure the leader knows.

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    Parking

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• The Society  encourages car sharing to get to walks – partly to reduce our carbon footprint and partly to ensure we all can park.

      Clothing/Footwear  

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• Anyone coming on a Society walk should be suitably clothed. A list of essential items includes:

• a pair of walking boots or shoes,also a spare pair of shoes in the car

• a waterproof jacket, outdoor trousers; a hat of some sort depending on the weather, something to eat and drink. Water is important to keep you hydrated.

• A walking pole is useful and a whistle for emergencies and for wet weather a pair of over trousers.

• Something to sit on to protect against the damp and the cold is important.

• Some may wish to bring a first aid-kit, a change of clothing and sun-glasses and sun cream. 
   

      Food and drink

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• Bring food and drink  for the refreshment breaks. 

 

      Accidents/incidents

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• Alert the walk leader immediately if you feel unwell or need medical attention.

In the event of an incident/accident occurring report it to the Secretary or Chairman as soon as possible after the walk.

•    Leaders do carry First Aid kits and have basic First Aid training.

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    On the walk

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     The walk coordinator is in charge and responsible for ensuring the safety of the group and follow all instructions when directed. Do not move ahead of the walk coordinator.

     It is important that we all play a part in keeping walkers in touch on a walk. If you need to go into the bushes please tell someone so that they can tell the leader. Please let someone know if you are stopping – for whatever reason. Be aware of the walkers behind you at path junctions and ensure they have seen you turn off onto a sometimes hidden path.

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     We ask all walkers to respect protected plants and vegetation and to leave no trace of food/fruit as it will take months to decompose. Take any rubbish that you have accumulated on the walk home with you.

    Particular care should be taken when walking along a road without a pavement. You are advised to walk single file and face the oncoming traffic unless blind bends make this dangerous. Please take care when crossing a road and when walking on quiet, narrow lanes and try to keep to one side, normally the right hand side.

    When using gates make sure that any gate is left as found, and not left open when it should be closed. When walking across a field and through crops keep as close as you can to any obvious route but sometimes the leader has to rely on a map to guide the way. Please walk in single file where the pathway is narrow and keep together and walk briskly when using the public footpaths which go through private gardens close to houses.

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    A farmer/land manager may have posted notices with instructions for walkers; look out for these. Similarly there may be notices from local councils saying that a path is obstructed for some reason and advising an alternative route.

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