Malta Hiking Routes: 8 Walks to Host as a Group Plan (2026)

The best Malta hiking routes for a group are the Dingli Cliffs walk, a stretch of the Victoria Lines, the coastal paths of Majjistral Nature and History Park, the Għajn Tuffieħa to Ġnejna coast, the Delimara peninsula, Buskett Gardens, a loop on Comino and the salt pans and valleys of north-west Gozo. Each one is short enough to finish in half a day, reachable by bus or a short drive, and simple enough that a small group of people who have just met can walk it together. This guide gives you the distance, difficulty and practical details for each route, then shows you how to turn your favourite into a hiking plan that people actually want to join.

Malta hiking routes at a glance

Distances below are approximate for the most common versions of each walk; your map app may show slightly different numbers depending on where you start. Times assume a relaxed group pace with stops for photos and a breather.

The eight Malta hiking routes in detail

1. Dingli Cliffs

The cliffs near Dingli are the highest point of the island, with a long path along the top and open views out to sea and to the tiny island of Filfla. The ground is mostly flat, so it suits people of different fitness levels, and the small Chapel of St Mary Magdalene makes an obvious halfway point. Buses run to Dingli village, and there are cafés and a restaurant near the cliffs for a drink afterwards. It is one of the most popular sunset walks in Malta, so plan around the light and bring a torch for the way back.

2. Buskett Gardens

Buskett is one of the few wooded areas in Malta, a short walk from Dingli and Rabat. Paths wind through the trees and down into the valley, and you can add a visit to the nearby cart ruts at Misraħ Għar il-Kbir. Because there is shade, Buskett works well on warmer days in late spring or early autumn, and it is a gentle choice when you are not sure how fit your guests are.

3. The Victoria Lines

The Victoria Lines are a line of 19th-century British fortifications that run roughly 12 km across Malta, along a natural ridge from the west coast near Fomm ir-Riħ to Madliena in the east. You do not have to walk all of it: most groups pick one section, for example around Binġemma or the stretch towards Mosta. Paths are uneven in places with some steep climbs and steps, so this is a moderate walk. It suits a group that wants a real workout and some history along the way.

4. Majjistral Nature and History Park

Majjistral is a protected park on the north-west coast, between Golden Bay and Anchor Bay, with cliffs, garrigue, old watchtowers and quiet coves. Marked paths make it easy to plan a loop of around 6 km. In spring the park is full of wild flowers; in autumn and winter it is green and quiet. Golden Bay has bus connections and places to eat, which makes it a natural start and finish.

5. Għajn Tuffieħa to Ġnejna

This short coastal walk links two of Malta’s best-known sandy bays. From the Golden Bay area you pass the Għajn Tuffieħa watchtower and head along the clay slopes towards Ġnejna Bay. There are steps and some steep, loose sections, so wear proper shoes. It works well as a morning plan that ends with a swim in the warmer months.

6. The Delimara peninsula

Starting from the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, you can walk out along the Delimara peninsula to St Peter’s Pool, a natural rock pool popular with swimmers. The route uses country lanes and paths and is mostly easy. The obvious finish is lunch back in Marsaxlokk, which makes it a good split or pay-your-own plan.

7. A loop on Comino

Comino is the small island between Malta and Gozo. In summer the Blue Lagoon is very busy, but outside peak season a walk around the island is quiet and beautiful, with rocky paths, a watchtower and views across to both larger islands. You will need to check ferry times in advance and plan your return carefully, because the last boat sets the end of your day.

8. Xwejni salt pans and Wied il-Għasri, Gozo

On the north-west coast of Gozo, the salt pans at Xwejni and the narrow inlet of Wied il-Għasri make a varied loop of about 7 km. Allow a full day including the ferry. If you are planning a Gozo hike for new people, our guide on planning a beginner hike in Gozo for a group covers ferries, timings and pacing. Prefer a guide for your first Gozo walk? Our overview of Malta group tours compares guided options with doing it yourself.

How to choose one of these Malta hiking routes for a group

The best route is the one your guests can finish comfortably and still enjoy talking on the way. A few questions make the choice easy:

1. Who is it for? If the plan is open to anyone, choose an easy route such as Dingli or Buskett. If you want regular walkers, say so in the description and pick the Victoria Lines or Majjistral.
2. How will people get there? Routes that start near a bus stop make it easier for people without a car to join. Check the Malta Public Transport journey planner for the day you choose.
3. How long do you have? Half a day suits most routes on Malta. Comino and Gozo need a full day because of the ferry.
4. What is the weather doing? Strong winds make cliff paths unpleasant and unsafe. Have a sheltered alternative such as Buskett in mind.
5. What happens afterwards? A coffee, a swim or a lunch at the end gives the group a natural reason to stay and talk, and it is often where people get to know each other best.

Looking for something other than a classic hike? Our list of unique things to do in Malta includes salt pans, temples and cart ruts you can combine with a walk.

If you are still deciding whether to host at all, our guide to finding a hiking buddy in Malta compares walking groups, guided walks and posting your own plan, and how to organise a hike with new people in Malta walks through the planning step by step.

Example hiking plan description

A clear plan description gets better requests. Here is one you can adapt:

Plan: Easy cliff walk at Dingli, then coffee
Meeting point: the bus stop in Dingli village, Saturday 9:30
Seats: 4
Who pays: pay your own (coffee afterwards)
Description: Relaxed walk of about 5 km along the cliffs, mostly flat, around two hours with stops. Trainers are fine. Bring water and a hat. In your note, tell me whether you have walked in Malta before.

The four parts that matter most are the route, the meeting point, the pace and the cost. When you post the plan, our field-by-field guide on how to post a plan on MeetNow explains each setting. A free hike works well as a “free” plan; if there is a coffee or lunch at the end, “pay your own” keeps it simple. For more on the options, see who pays on a MeetNow plan.

Host checklist for the day

• Walk or check the route on a map the day before, including where the path starts.
• Check the weather and wind forecast in the morning and message the group chat if you change anything.
• Bring more water than you think you need, sun cream and a small first-aid kit.
• Wait at the meeting point for a few minutes, then start at the stated time.
• Walk at the pace of the slowest person and stop every so often so the group stays together.
• Keep everyone on the path and well back from cliff edges.
• Agree where the walk ends and how each person is getting home.
• After the plan, confirm “we met” for the people who came.

Safety box

Related questions

• How do I find a hiking buddy in Malta?
• How do I organise a hike with people I have not met?
• How do I plan a beginner hike in Gozo?
• Who pays on a MeetNow plan?

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the easiest hiking route in Malta for a group?

The cliff-top walk at Dingli is the easiest to host: it is mostly flat, easy to reach by bus or car, and you can shorten or extend it as the group likes. Buskett Gardens nearby is a good shaded alternative.

When is the best time of year to hike in Malta?

Roughly October to May. The countryside is greener and the temperatures are comfortable. In summer, hike early in the morning, keep routes short and carry plenty of water, because there is very little shade.

Do I need a guide to walk these Malta hiking routes?

No. These routes follow public paths and country lanes, and many people walk them on their own. Use a map app, check the route the day before, and keep the group away from cliff edges. A guided walk is a good option if nobody in the group knows the area.

How many people should I invite to a group hike?

Three to five guests is a good size for a first hike with new people. It is small enough to walk together on narrow paths and big enough that conversation keeps going if two people walk ahead.

Do Malta hiking routes cost anything?

Walking on public paths and country lanes is free. The only costs are getting there, such as the bus or a ferry to Comino or Gozo, and anything you eat or drink afterwards. That is why many hiking plans are posted as free, or as pay your own when a coffee or lunch is included.