Secrets of Malta Walking
About this trip.
Malta is small enough — 27km from end to end, 14.5km across — that a single base in St Julian's puts the whole island within reach of a bus ride. That's the conceit of this self-guided week: one hotel, a seven-day bus pass, and six suggested walks fanned out across the coast.
The island and the walking
Malta has been picked over by Phoenicians, Romans, the Knights of St John, Napoleon and the British, and the layered architecture shows it — nowhere more than in Valletta, the UNESCO-listed capital that's also reckoned to be the smallest in Europe. Out on the coast the picture changes: sandstone cliffs, weathered salt pans, watchtowers built to spot raiders, and small fishing harbours where the painted Luzzu boats still sit at their moorings.
The walking is coastal rather than mountainous, with sea views as the constant. Distances range from 6km to 15km a day, and most days have a shorter alternative if you want to take it easy. It is self-guided — you get route notes and maps and set off when you like — and the bus pass is the connective tissue, dropping you at the trailhead and picking you up at the other end.
The week's route
A typical week unfolds in six walks. The longest, 15km / 9.3 miles, traces Malta's "fish tail" along the northern coast, with views across to Comino and Gozo. A 12km / 7.5 miles day takes in Punic tombs, a thousand-year-old carob tree and the Majjistral Nature Park. There's a gentler 6km / 3.7 miles section along Mistra Bay, Xemxija and St Paul's Bay through to Selmun.
Mid-week, a 10km / 6.2 miles walk circles Valletta's natural harbours from the sea side. A 13km / 8.1 miles day heads inland to Rabat — one of Malta's oldest settlements — and the walled city of Mdina, before turning back to the cliffs. The final 8km / 5 miles links Marsascala and Marsaxlokk, where the Sunday fish market is the obvious reason to time the week so that day falls on a weekend.
The practical side
You stay seven nights at either the Holm Hotel or the Hotel Verdi, both in a quieter pocket of St Julian's, on B&B. There's a reason no dinners are included: St Julian's has more restaurants than you'll get through in a week, and Valletta is a short taxi away for an evening out. Headwater's local agent manages the trip on the ground.
Included: seven nights' accommodation, buffet breakfasts, route directions and maps, the seven-day bus pass, and local management. Not included: flights, dinners, lunches, the single supplement (around USD 990).
It suits walkers who want their days structured but their evenings free, who like the idea of returning to the same bed each night, and who don't mind doing their own navigation. From USD 1835 per person excluding flights for the standard room, with an upgrade to USD 1970. Departures run on Saturdays and Sundays through the spring.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for walking holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every walking day
- ✓Detailed route notes with maps and GPX files
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches — typically a village picnic or café stop
- ×Some evening meals — depends on the specific itinerary
- ×Alcohol beyond any wine included with set dinners
- ×Optional room or transfer upgrades
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
Other walking holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
