Gozo’s verdant countryside is a sight for tired eyes in late winter and early spring. And after last February’s generous rains, the island is looking particularly lush. The Crown Daisy and the Cape Sorrel are protagonists of Gozo’s countryside, peeping from rubble walls and raising their golden heads from amid the emerald patchwork to add delightful pops of yellow. As winter transitions into spring, the weather becomes perfect for hiking through the Gozitan countryside, with just enough warmth and sunshine to power your walk. Here are three walks that will help you discover Gozo’s greener sides and some of its beautiful valleys.
The Marsalforn Valley & Statue of Our Saviour Walk
Marsalforn Valley. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes.
The statue of Christ our Saviour, erected on a conical hill as one drives to Marsalforn, is one of Gozo’s most recognisable landmarks. In a previous blog entry, we delved into the legends that surround this hill, but did not get into how one can climb to the top. The hike to this vantage point can start from the Marsalforn valley, which is served by a public car park, making it very easy to hit the ground running.
While in the valley, you can choose to walk along the paved path or take the path less travelled on the other side of the watercourse. Whichever path you choose, be sure to stop and enjoy the flora and the sounds of nature, which are more audible thanks to the stillness of the area. On your right, you should be able to glimpse your finishing point – the statue of Christ our Saviour. If you are lucky, you will even get to witness some synchronised swimming tricks performed by the valley’s lovable residents – the ducks.
The path will eventually end in the main road that links Victoria with Marsalforn. Here, you will need to carefully cross the main road and walk towards Marsalforn until you get to a road on your left. From this point onwards, a dirt track will almost take you to the very top, with the last part being a relatively short and manageable climb. From the top, look out for the Citadel and a number of churches dominating the skyline.
The Ta’ Ġurdan Walk via the Chapel of Saint Demetrius
Stunning vistas while enjoying the Ta' Gordan Walk. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes
Our second hike starts from the square of the village of Għarb, and takes us to another iconic landmark, the Ta’ Ġurdan Lighthouse. Dominating our starting point is the 17th-century village parish church, an exquisite example of Baroque architecture. From the village square, take the road on the left-hand side of the church, walking straight ahead until you arrive at a fork. At this fork, take the road on the right, and start looking out for the majestic Ta’ Ġurdan Lighthouse in the distance.
As you continue walking, you should eventually come across a dirt path flanked by low rubble walls that leads to the 15th-century Chapel of Saint Demeterius. Given that the chapel is built on high land, you will be rewarded uninterrupted views of the north-western Gozitan countryside and moments of unadulterated peace. The only time when the area gets buzzing is on one weekend in October, when the much-anticipated International Kite and Wind Festival is held.
While you might wish to stop your walk here, to reach Ta’ Ġurdan, you can follow the route detailed here, which meanders through Wied il-Mielaħ, famous for its natural limestone arch, and the Għasri Valley. Located some 160 metres above sea level, the Ta’ Ġurdan Lighthouse makes for a pretty exerting uphill walk, which is rewarded by exhilarating views of Gozo, including the Citadel and the Ta’ Pinu sanctuary. On days with very good visibility, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Sicily on the horizon as well.
The lighthouse was built in the 1800s, when the islands were governed by the British, to guide seafarers at a time when maritime traffic was increasing. While advancements in navigation technology have lessened the importance of Ta’ Ġurdan, this beacon is still active, and the only time when it did not emit a beam was during World War II due to the need for blackouts.
The Lunzjata Valley Walk
16th Century Chapel at Lunzjata Valley. Photo: Baron Holiday Homes.
The fertile Lunzjata Valley is another one of Gozo’s rural gems, which can be reached via a short walk from Victoria. It should take you around 15 minutes to get to the valley from the Victoria bus terminus. You will need to walk through some busy streets before reaching this haven of greenery, where reeds, olive, carob, almond and pomegranate trees grow in abudance. An arched gateway, believed to have been built during the early part of the Knights’ reign in Malta, signals that you have arrived at the promised land. Once a popular hunting and recreational spot with the Knights of Malta, today the area is popular with locals and tourists seeking to slow down and savour moments of pure peace.
At the entrace, you will be met with a small chapel hewn out of the rock that gave the valley its name. The early 16th-century chapel is dedicated to the Annunciation of our Lady and has replaced an older 13th-century chapel, little about which is known. The present chapel boasts an altarpiece by Fra Lucas Garnier – the only painting by this important knight-artist in Gozo, as well as a statue sculpted by one of the island’s foremost artists, Wistin Camilleri Cauchi. Although the chapel can barely hold 20 people, mass is celebrated here every day, from Monday to Sunday. If you would like to take a peek inside, be sure to time your walk with the weekday mass at 4.30 pm, or Sunday’s mass services at 8.00 am and 10.30 am.
Another mark the Knights of Saint John left on the valley, is a fountain commissioned by Grand Master Perellos. This was built in the 17th century over one of the valley’s several natural springs, and throughout the years was used by many Gozitans to obtain water, which has always been a scarce resource on the island.
This walk can be extended to the village of Ta’ Kerċem and the hamlet that forms part of it, Santa Luċija. On the edge of this hamlet, one finds San Raflu, a natural freshwater pond that supports several species, including the Maltese native frog.
Posted in Activity, Adventure, Family, Spring, Things to do, Walk, What to see in Gozo, Winter
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