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Comments from James Buhagiar

I must admit that I have liked the sister Island of Gozo ever since I can remember. Two Years ago I did the circumference of the Island and I was fascinated so much with it is beauty that I couldn’t resist going back again this year. I must admit it is a bit of a tough route at times but it gives you a great satisfaction. 
I believe that I like this walk more than the Malta circumference walk since Gozo offers fewer roads, more paths, few developed areas and almost for the entire walk you have the sea by your side all the time. 
 As we had done two years ago we took the anticlockwise route. That is starting from Mgarr Harbour to Hondoq ir- Rummien bay.  It is done this way since soon after Dahlett Qorrot Bay there are the Mistra Rocks. These are Big Boulders that some day formed part of the cliffs . The boulders vary in size and shape and as far as I know there is no particular path which one can follow; so one has to jump from one boulder to another. The rocks are quite a good challenge so it is best to cross while still fresh.  From here we continued to Ramla bay up to Marsalforn Bay . Here we opted for a good meal and some   well deserved rest.  Though we walked as much as we could by the sea shore from one bay to another the route is always going up and down hills.
So far from Mistra Rocks to Marsalforn bay much of the terrain was made up of different clays and soils. Now that we are moving to the Northern part of the island it is turning out to be more rocky and higher. In fact most of the walking is done on the cliffs’ edge. Here are some of the most spectacular views of the island and the cliffs with their hollow caves beneath then are really fascinating specially if the sun is setting you will find it just opposite and it illuminates all the surfaces.
This time we were unfortunate enough to have a lot of strong wind hitting us upfront for more than half of the walk. Thus we had to struggle to move on and we couldn’t really appreciate the beauty surrounding us but we still managed to take some good photos.
Gozo also offers a good range of valleys all ending up in the sea; some of which are a real treat. Not only they are really nice to observe and visit but also it is fascinating how from 200 or 300 meters , some times more above sea level,  one has to go down again to almost sea level and then climb again to the other side to go up the cliff again! Though this is not always possible and practical and at times we had to walk inland till the valley gets accessible. The disadvantage of valleys is that they make you loose a lot of time.
 I highly recommend the Gozo walk. If you are doing the walk just for pure fun and enjoying the beauty of the island don’t travel by night. The Northern cliff regions can be dangerous in the dark and some valleys can be rather thick and easily to get lost at night.
 To be completely free to walk without any trespassing problems I have always done the walk in the beginning of June as soon as the hunting and bird trapping season has come to an end. Also in June the weather is good enough at night to sleep outdoors without any problems. However I heard of others doing the walk in February.
Gozo is a real jewel , a must see! Gozo also offers spectacular walk in the inner land were it is full of valleys and hills . The malta-challenges will be visiting them soon in the next walking season.
Feel free to contact us  if your interested in Walks round the Maltese Islands .
  JAMES.