Sunday, December 4: Ġnejna Bay to Kunċizzjoni (Scenic)

We will be walking along Malta’s western coast with all its beauty. The climb up to Kunċizzjoni Chapel is steep and could be slippery, if wet. We will be passing by Fomm ir-Riħ, the Victoria Lines and returning through Tas-Santi.

Duration: Approximately 3 ½ hours

Rating: Moderate with some inclines and slippery, if wet.

Meeting place: Ġnejna Bay, Mġarr.

Departure time: 9am.

Sunday, December 11: Birżebbuġa to Casa Ippolito and on to Paola.

(NB: Non-circular, returning by bus)

We set off from St George’s Bay, Biriżebbuġa, along the seashore and turn right into Triq Dar ta’ Pultu. We will have a good look at Casa Ippolito, the fortified house which once belonged to Baron Ippolito Novantieri in the 17th century. Country roads will take us to Ħal Għaxaq centre. Then on the way out of the village we pass by Santu Kristu Chapel and the historical Santa Luċija Chapel. The locality of the same name was named after this chapel. More country lanes will take us to Luqa Bypass and St James’s chapel, which is not far from the rear entrance of the Addolorata Cemetery.

We walk through the cemetery to exit the other end. Going up Triq l-Arkata, we pass by Grand Master Antoine de Paule’s old residence, which is now a kerrejja (a big house or palazzo converted into separate apartments rented to different families). St Ubaldesca Church, further up the road, was also built by the same grand master, founder of Paola, whose country villa, San Anton Gardens, was built in the 17th century. We catch a bus back to Birżebbuġa from the bus stop next to the police station and the correctional facility main entrance.

Duration: 4½ hours.

Rating: Moderate, fairly long.

Meeting place: St George’s Bay, Birżebbuġa.

Departure time: 9am.

Wednesday, December 14: Attard, Qormi, Żebbuġ, Attard (Scenic and historical)

We walk through Wied is-Sewda to the outskirts of Qormi and bypass the chapel of the Assumption of Our Lady (Tal-Ħlas) and in Żebbuġ (Città Rohan), the Triumphal Arch. Surrounded by beautiful landscape, we then return to Attard.

Duration: 2 to 3 hours.

Rating: Easy to moderate with some inclines.

Meeting place: Attard parish church.

Departure time: 2pm.

Sunday, December 18: The Tail of the Fish

We shall ramble along Malta’s northwestern coast and pass through the many bays of this area. We meet at the parking area next to the police station at Għadira. Then we walk towards the Rdum tal-Madonna, on to l-Aħrax and then to the White Tower. We pass through the Qortin, Armier and Marfa bays and then continue towards Paradise Bay. From there we follow the coastline uphill to the top of Marfa ridge and some old dilapidated military buildings. From there, we walk past St Agatha’s Tower and back to the starting point.

Duration: 3 to 4 hours.

Rating: Moderate.

Meeting place: Parking area next to police station at Għadira Bay.

Departure time: 9am.

Wednesday: December 28: Birżebbuġa, Għaxaq, Marsaxlokk, Birżebbuġa (Scenic and historical)

From Għar Dalam (cave and museum), our tour leads us through a short, beautiful valley to Għaxaq. Then we ramble via the small hamlet of Marniżi and the outskirts of the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and back to Birżebbuġa We always have a good view and pass near well-known sites such as Fort San Luċian at Marsaxlokk and an old coastal battery at Birżebbuġa.

Duration: 2 to 3 hours.

Rating: Easy to moderate with some inclines.

Meeting place: Birżebbuġa at Għar Dalam car park.

Departure time: 2pm.

Please note

• Walks will be cancelled in case of very bad weather. If in doubt, call 9949 7080 or 7959 4267.

• Non-members are advised to contact these numbers before the walk.

• For further information on the Ramblers Association of Malta visit www.ramblersmalta.org.