Lino Bugeja, honorary president of the Ramblers Association, suggests four panoramic walks off the beaten paths along Gozo’s magic northern trails. Simonne Pace is mesmerised by the magnificent views, legends and mystery.

Photos: Courtesy of Professor J. M. Falzon

Walk 1: Bronze Age village and brilliant sunset

The walk starts from the small and quiet hamlet of Santa Luċija, which takes its name from the saint to whom the quaint little church is dedicated. From here, take the road to the left heading north to Wardija’s magic cliffs and It-Torretta, once a signal station but now in ruins.

L-Għadira, an ancient pathway across the high cliffs with fantastic views of the entrance to the idyllic Xlendi Bay on the left and Fungus Rock with the inland sea on the right, takes you to the remote and secluded Ras il-Wardija. Cart ruts, very rare indeed in Gozo, suggest a Bronze Age settlement with a rock-cut sanctuary. This extreme tip of Gozo has a lot in common with Ras ir-Raħeb in Baħrija (Malta).

Walk 2: Legends and the sea

The walk starts from near the Dejma Cross (1783) in the square opposite Għarb’s baroque parish church with its inscription under the right belfry: ‘Ibni, Għożż iż-Żmien’ (My son, cherish time).

History lovers will surely appreciate a brief visit to the parish church, not least to admire the baptismal font made by the famous Sicilian Cagini brothers in the 15th century.

From the square, take the road on the left and after a gentle slope of 300 metres, turn left to reach the chapel known as Il-Madonna taż-Żejt (Our Lady of the Oil) – once the scene of frequent pilgrimages from Malta. As legend has it, a devout Gozitan girl visiting the chapel once saw oil oozing out of the rocks nearby.

You should also notice the vernacular art around, like a soul in purgatory. Retrace your steps and proceed up a hill to the open countryside, leading to the church of St Dimitri standing in solitary splendour, steeped in legend, from when Barbary corsairs wreaked havoc in our villages.

For more information, read Wayside Chapels in Malta & Gozo by Kilin.

Walk 3: Ta’ Ġurdan walk

The walk starts from near the parish church of Għasri, a word derived from the Arabic għasar (to squeeze) because of the large quantities of olives from the nearby village of Żebbuġ (meaning olives) which were pressed here.

Proceed to the left along the quiet streets of this charming village. On the right, towering on the hill, lies Ta’ Ġurdan lighthouse, built in 1853, now equipped with a sophisticated system installed by a French firm.

This is a high, lonely terrain, where wilderness rambling may be enjoyed in cooler weather. The views of the surrounding seas and valleys are simply majestic. This lighthouse and the high vantage points were mentioned by Italian poet Gabriele d’Annunzio.

Walk 4: Ta’ Pinu to Wied il-Mielaħ

A visit to Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary is a must, as its intricate and elegant sculpture and beautiful stonework are a triumph of Maltese architect Andrea Vassallo and Gozitan master masons.

Proceed towards Għasri, past the wayside chapel of St Publius and on Ta’ Ġurdan farmhouses. Take the downhill path to Gozo’s most splendid sheer cliffs till you reach the sea at Wied il-Mielaħ, with its natural rock formation of an impressive massive window facing the shimmering sea. The path on the right provides breathtaking views of the cliffs, honeycombed with caves and caverns.