walkhighlands

Gozo - South Coast path

Date walked: 31/01/2024

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 12km

4.jpg
The view from the Matla - Gozo ferry of the area below the Fort Chambrey. Mgarr harbour on right

Map 1 of 3.jpg

Map 2 of 3.jpg

Map 3 of 3.jpg



The coastal walk from the ferry port of Mgarr includes spectacular cliff walks and two deep inlets into the limestone scenery. The terminus is the attractive small harbor of Xlendi, from where a return bus can be boarded back to the port. This walk may be extended, with much effort, onward to Dwejra and the Inland Sea. There are a couple of cafes on the route but these are closed out of season, there are plenty of food stops in Xlendi.

The First, (easy) bit

Upon exit from the ferry terminal building turn left and go beneath an underpass, bear right and then up a slope on the left into a car park; continue to the end and out onto the open area between the shore and the Fort Chambray above. The path bears upward to pass above a steep mud slope and then down towards a rocky platform swimming area (Xatt l-Ahmar). The route is along well walked distinct paths and occasional vehicle tracks. On the shoreline are salt pans and a Fougasse , a primitive cannon formed in the rocky shore to deter invaders and pirates.

5.jpg
Coastal path below Fort Chambrey

6.jpg
The slope up to the fort

7.jpg
The route Westwards, with the swimming area below

8.jpg
The steep path down from the fort and the mud cliffs

9.jpg
Salt pans; Malta and Comino in the distance

10.jpg
Looking back to the Fort and the swimming area

11.jpg
Stripy cliffs
12.jpg
Heading West towards the first watchtower


A defensive tower comes into view and the elevation of the path increases until it rounds a corner and goes ‘inland’ above a ria, Mgarr ix-Xini with a limestone cliff at the end (a Steephead valley no less). The path continues to rise until it passes houses at the lip of the valley; it then drops rapidly in steps until it reaches the shore and a small hamlet with beach.

13.jpg
The first Watchtower

14.jpg
Rounding the corner into Mgarr ix-Xini - note limestone country the other side of the water

15.jpg
The small beach and settlement at the end of the Mgarr ix-Xini ria.

16.jpg
The route, across the beach up the road and take a left along the wall sloping upwards

17.jpg
A prickly pear archway - Maltese prickly pears seem to have fewer spike that other varieties.

18.jpg
Looking South down the Mgarr ix-Xini

19.jpg
The beach from the West side of the valley



The second, (Complicated) bit

Take the upper road out of the hamlet and at the widening of the road turn left along a track that gradually rises and curves away from the valley. This meets a small tarmac road; (continue straight on until a sharp right hand bend. At this point you have two options; (option A) continuing on the road takes you back round above the valley and to a track at Qortin iz-Zghir straight on from a bend which takes you onto Qortin Il-Kbir hill and the Ta Cenc cliffs (option A.1). Keeping to the well-made road takes you into the outskirts of Sannat (option A.2) near the hotel (Point Z on the map). (option A.1) At the cliffs take the perpendicular path inland to pass the back of the hotel and meet up with the Option A.2 road at Point Z.

20.jpg
The watchtower links with other similar towers on Comino and Malta (Red and white Towers on Marfa ridge)

21.jpg
View from Road higher up

22.jpg
Dry limestone terraces, the bump with the small tree is the end of the Ta Cenc ridge.

23.jpg
Cliffs

24.jpg
Fishing boat below the cliffs, Fort Chambrey in distance

25.jpg
Ta Cenc cliffs from East


Being contrary types with took our Option B route at the sharp bend which was to go down the track straight on, turn left and pass across a small valley on a bridge this takes you onto a nice coastal walk towards the Ras in Newwiela promontory with good views of the Ta Cenc cliffs. Follow this meandering track until it ascends and bends around the end of the limestone ridge and you can then pick up the path to the Ta Cenc viewpoint. Alternatively you can take a well-made track straight to point Z.
We have not found a track along the cliffs Westwards from TA Cenc (which doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist) so we went through the outskirts of Sannat, along the road from point Z for about 800m, past the hotel, past the reservoir to a five way junction (point Y on map- if you reach the church you have gone too far). 1st left takes you to a small park area but you cannot access the cliffs, 2nd left goes due East and turns right after 100m and then left brings you (at Point W) to a small road/track that takes you after 600m to the cliff edge. You are now on the Saguna Cliffs (some 800m from the Ta Cenc cliff; enjoy the views.


The third, (easy) bit

This is a superb cliff top walk along the Saguna and Sannap cliffs with great views along the coast and over to Coimno and Malta. There is a fine paved walkway, funded by the EU, till Il Hodbha but this is an easy part even when unpaved. After about 2000m the path descends from the limestone via series of small steps and gullies, nothing too challenging to the fit. The Xlendi watchtower is now in view and the path curves around a small bay and straightens to pass behind the tower. It then turns sharply right and follows, at high level the steep ria valley of Xlendi bay. It then eases down to a stone bridge over a small ravine branching off the main inlet to the sea. Keeping to the low level path it continues onto a paved walkway leading round and into the small harbor area.

26.jpg
Terraces from the Ta Cenc ridge - ferries crossing the Channel

28.jpg
Ta Cenc cliffs from the West - the wall on the left is where the route heads inland to point W. The coast path peters out beyond this wall.

28.jpg
Ta Cenc cliffs from the West - the wall on the left is where the route heads inland to point W. The coast path peters out beyond this wall.

29.jpg
Above the Saguna cliffs heading West

30.jpg
White limestone and blue water

33.jpg
The Western end of the Saguna Cliffs

34.jpg
On the walkway above the Sanap cliffs looking East

35.jpg
The descent down from the Sanap cliffs; second watchtower in the distance

36.jpg
Sanap cliffs viewed from the West

37.jpg
Taken on the walk last year

38.jpg
The limestone cliffs West of Xlendi Bay

39.jpg
The stone bridge over the side branch of the bay.



Xlendi is a small resort with surprisingly tall buildings. There are a number of good restaurants, some of which are open out of season, the Boathouse near the jetty is recommended. The bus back to the ferry Port (Mgarr) can be caught in the square (bus route 306); it goes via Rabat/Victoria the capital. The old citadel Rabat is worth a stopover visit.

40.jpg
The stroll into Xlendi

41.jpg
Looking back South towards the Xlendi watchtower

32.jpg
The citadel of Rabat viewed from the coast - Gozo is a compact island with a lot of scenery.


There is a path on the West side of the harbor going up onto the cliffs and eventually reaching Dwejra after about 6Km; the bus route back from there to Rabat/Victoria is No. 311

Click to mark this as a great report. Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Comments: 1



Malta - Marfa Ridge

Attachment(s) Date walked: 29/01/2024
Distance: 12km
Views: 136


That was the week that was 2023

This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forum
Date walked: 08/08/2023
Views: 47


Bidean nam Bian - Gearr Aonach zig zags to A & E

Attachment(s) Munros: Bidean nam Bian, Stob Coire Sgreamhach
Date walked: 01/06/2023
Distance: 6.9km
Ascent: 848m
Comments: 7
Views: 2880


The saddle - circular route

Attachment(s) Date walked: 24/05/2023
Distance: 20.7km
Ascent: 1870m
Views: 228


A short walk round the back of nowhere

Attachment(s) Date walked: 23/05/2023
Distance: 9km
Ascent: 363m
Views: 272


Coire Lair round

Attachment(s) Munros: Beinn Liath Mhòr, Sgòrr Ruadh
Corbetts: Fuar Tholl
Date walked: 22/05/2023
Distance: 19.1km
Ascent: 1711m
Views: 380


Beinn Eighe - from end to (almost) end

Attachment(s) Munros: Spidean Coire nan Clach (Beinn Eighe)
Date walked: 21/05/2023
Distance: 17.5km
Ascent: 1456m
Comments: 6
Views: 695


Shenavall visit

Attachment(s) Date walked: 20/05/2023
Distance: 19km
Ascent: 740m
Views: 1062


Quinag at the third attempt

Attachment(s) Corbetts: Quinag - Sàil Gharbh, Quinag - Sàil Ghorm, Quinag - Spidean Coinich
Date walked: 19/05/2023
Distance: 15km
Ascent: 1327m
Comments: 1
Views: 414

Verylatestarter


Location: East Anglia (South Norfolk)
Occupation: project manager (building) - retired
Interests: tennis, walking DIY, chess
Activity: Mountain Walker
Pub: The Griffin Hotel
Mountain: Beinn Alligin
Place: Torridon
Gear: Pork Pie
Member: LDWA
Ideal day out: Ridge walk with scrambling

Munros: 35
Tops: 30
Corbetts: 11
Fionas: 3
Islands: 5



Filter reports


Statistics

2024

Trips: 2
Distance: 24 km

2023

Trips: 8
Distance: 107.2 km
Ascent: 8315m
Munros: 5
Corbetts: 4

2022

Trips: 10
Distance: 126.9 km
Ascent: 7633m
Munros: 10
Corbetts: 2

2021

Trips: 14
Distance: 147.9 km
Ascent: 13066m
Munros: 9
Corbetts: 3
Hewitts: 1

2020

Trips: 6
Distance: 80.5 km
Ascent: 8168m
Munros: 12

2019

Trips: 4
Distance: 49 km
Ascent: 3836m
Munros: 6
Fionas: 1

2018

Trips: 3
Distance: 35.8 km
Ascent: 3268m
Munros: 3
Corbetts: 1
Fionas: 1

2016

Trips: 1
Distance: 20 km

2015

Trips: 2
Distance: 27 km

1995

Trips: 1
Distance: 11 km
Ascent: 874m
Corbetts: 1


Joined: Oct 14, 2020
Last visited: Mar 17, 2024
Total posts: 195 | Search posts