About this trip.
Two islands on foot
Dingli Cliffs are the highest point on Malta, and the cliff-top walk out to them — starting from the old hunting woods at Buskett Gardens — is one of the set pieces of this HF Holidays week. The format gives you roughly five days of guided walks across both islands: the busier, more built-up Malta, and its quieter, more rural sister Gozo, a short ferry hop north.
The base is the Solana Hotel at Mellieħa Bay in northern Malta, which keeps the logistics simple. Walks split across the two islands — three days on Malta, two on Gozo — with grades 1 and 2 on the larger island and the slightly steeper grades 2 and 3 on Gozo, where the coastal cliffs are more rugged.
What the walks actually cover
On Malta, one route runs from Buskett Gardens out to Dingli Cliffs, passing the Ghar-il-Kbir cave dwellings and the megalithic temple complex of Ħaġar Qim; a longer variant drops down to the undercliff for a swim at Ghar Lapsi before finishing at Wied iż-Żurrieq. Another day walks the southern coast from Marsaskala to Marsaxlokk, the fishing village famous for its colourful boats in the harbour, with the option to push on to Pretty Bay's golden sand.
Gozo gets two full days. From the ferry at Mgarr, one walk follows the south coast past Xlendi Tower — the oldest freestanding watchtower on the island, perched above limestone full of fossils — and a longer variant continues to the remote inlet of Mgarr-ix-Xini. The other Gozo day starts at the Church of Pilgrimage at Ta Pinu and works east along the north coast, past wind-sculpted cliffs and small fishermen's storerooms cut into the softer upper rock.
There's also a free day mid-week, which most people spend in Valletta — the National Museum of Archaeology, Manoel Theatre, the Second World War siege story — or in Mdina, the lamp-lit walled "Silent City" inland, with its catacombs at neighbouring Rabat.
Booking and practicalities
The price covers return flights from the UK with hold baggage, airport transfers, seven nights at the Solana Hotel on a half-board basis (seven breakfasts, seven dinners), air-conditioned coach travel between walks, and all entrance fees on the itinerary. Walks are led by local HF Holidays leaders, with an HF Tour Manager looking after the wider group across the week.
It suits walkers who want a sociable, organised week rather than a self-guided one — small group days out, evenings back at the same hotel, and someone else handling the ferries, timings, and lunch stops. The Gozo days are the more demanding of the week; the Malta days are gentler, often under six miles with modest ascent. Routes can be adjusted for weather or operational reasons, so the running order isn't fixed in stone, and walkers should expect a bit of flexibility around what comes when.
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.
