Gozo Coastal Walk – Mediterranean Trekking in Malta
Discover spectacular coastal trekking on Gozo's legendary seaside paths, where dramatic cliffs, crystalline waters, charming fishing villages, and UNESCO heritage sites frame your every step.
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In this article
- Starting point: Mgarr
- Distance: 50 km
- Difficulty: T/Hiking
- Stages: 4
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The Gozo Coastal Walk, a spectacular long-distance trek that follows the entire coastline of Gozo, part of the Maltese archipelago, for a total of 50km. As this is a loop trail, there's no official start or finish point. However, most walkers choose to begin from Mgarr Harbour, both because it's the island's main ferry port and because it's easily accessible by public transport from anywhere on the island.
The Gozo Coastal Walk is typically divided into 4 stages, though it can comfortably be completed in 3 days of walking. With low difficulty due to short stages and minimal elevation gain, this trail is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The main challenge lies in navigation – worn signage and sparse waymarks mean you'll need to stay alert and regularly check your position using a map or GPS. A separate note: hunting is prevalent here from November to January, which we'll discuss further below.
Stages of the Gozo Coastal Walk
The Gozo Coastal Walk comprises 4 classic stages, divided strategically so that each stage ends at a village or public transport point, allowing you to return to your base. This makes it easy to organise as an itinerant journey.
- Stage 1 _ Mġarr to Xlendi – 12km
- Stage 2 _ Xlendi to San Lawrenz – 11km
- Stage 3 _ San Lawrenz to Marsalforn – 11km
- Stage 4 _ Marsalforn to Mġarr – 16km
Difficulty of the Gozo Coastal Walk
The Gozo Coastal Walk is a straightforward route suitable for everyone, rated T/Hiking on the hiking difficulty scale. Short daily stages, minimal elevation changes, and consistently good weather make it the perfect introduction to multi-day walking holidays.
The trek runs alongside the island's towering sea cliffs. Naturally, there are no railings or barriers between the path and the cliff edge, so extra vigilance is needed if walking with children. The trail itself remains several metres back from the cliffs, however, and unless you deliberately approach the edge, there's no real danger. The route is also perfectly manageable for those with a fear of heights.
A word about hunting: you'll encounter numerous hunting shelters, small huts and blinds throughout the coastal walk. During peak season (November to January), you may see hunting parties with rifles, binoculars, flags and hunting dogs. They're well accustomed to walkers passing by, so you're perfectly safe. The only precaution is to avoid the traps set in fields – stay on the marked trail at all times.
Waymarking on the Gozo Coastal Walk
The main weakness of this Malta trek is the trail signage. The Gozo Coastal Walk is marked with coloured dots – red in some sections, blue in others. Faded by sun and salt spray, these marks aren't always easy to spot, either because they've bleached or they're poorly positioned along the trail. Stay alert, always know your position relative to the route, and regularly check both your map and GPS on your mobile phone.
When to Walk the Gozo Coastal Walk
The Maltese archipelago, including Gozo, sits in the heart of the Mediterranean, just south of mainland Italy. Summer temperatures are scorching – perfect for beach holidays but utterly unsuitable for walking. With absolutely no shade and temperatures frequently reaching 35–40°C, trekking becomes genuinely difficult.
The best time is clearly autumn and spring. Temperatures around 20°C and cooling sea breezes make walking comfortable in t-shirts and shorts, and you can enjoy a refreshing swim at the end of each day. Rainfall is slightly higher than summer, but nothing to be concerned about.
Where to Stay on the Gozo Coastal Walk
Gozo Coastal Walk accommodation consists of typical beach resort offerings – hotels and apartment rentals. Unlike mainland Malta, which has plenty of hostels, Gozo has very few. Prices vary significantly by season, with excellent value to be found in spring and autumn outside the peak summer months.
Malta sees large numbers of young party-goers in summer, and they often show little regard for their accommodation standards. This means cheaper lodgings can be problematic with poor cleanliness and comfort. Gozo is less affected than the main island, but it's not immune. My recommendation is to opt for four-star and above properties, which, due to their positioning, tend to avoid the party crowd and offer healthier, more comfortable environments for rest and recovery.
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