The islands of Malta and Gozo boast some of the most picturesque walking routes in the Mediterranean. Whether it’s spectacular cliffs, garigue-rich shrub land, fertile valleys or rural villages, you’ll find it all here. What’s more, dotted along these routes are interesting examples of the islands’ rich history, making it easy to visit prehistoric sites and wayside chapels en route. Here, I ask local adventure groups and hiking enthusiasts for their top picks.

Experience: adventures and more

Kim Agius and Mario Scerri, from Experience: Adventures and More, organise hikes and treks across the islands on a weekly basis. Asked to pick their favourite route, the pair name the Xemxija Roman Trail walk: “Follow the signs from Xemxija Bay and explore the area – there are lots of historic sites on the way.”

“During autumn, winter and spring time, you will always feel comfortable walking due to our mild climate. You’re always close to the sea, so in one view you can enjoy the combination of vegetation, soil, sea and clear skyline. It’s also fairly easy to find your way around and almost impossible to get lost,” Mario and Kim say.

Asked for their top three recommended scenic routes and countryside walks on the Maltese islands, the pair name the Laferla Cross and Fawwara area where you’ll find lovely country lanes; the Ghar Lapsi and Zurrieq areas, which are ideal for casual walkers and also feature a more demanding route for experienced trekkers; as well as the southern tip of Malta, starting from St Thomas Bay hugging the coast and exploring the secluded coves and beaches.

Miles into memories

David Gladwish kicked off expedition planning and adventure group Miles into Memories in 2015. The group organises mountain and hiking trips abroad several times a year, and while the majority of their outdoor training activities are reserved for members of their expeditions, they also organise free, open-for-all weekly runs and less frequent large group hikes around the island.

David’s favourite hiking area in Malta is around Ghajn Tuffieha. “The clay slopes and sea views between Riviera and Gnejna beach are breath-taking and loads of fun for anyone eager to get off flat terrain for a while,” he says, advising shoes with decent grip are a must. “I’d only recommend avoiding the area or being extra cautious when it's been raining, as the clay can get slippery.”

“Coastline walks are by far my favourite on the Maltese islands, with an abundance of beautiful cliffs, coastal trails and rolling hills to enjoy. If it gets too hot, you're usually a hop and a skip away from a dip in the water to cool down,” he says. As for top recommended routes, David lists the entire coastline from Dingli to Cirkewwa: “being amongst the highest zones on the island, the cliffs give the walker unparalleled birds eye views of the sea.”

Another is the route from Xemxija to Mellieha via Selmun: “A little known trail starting behind the Xemxija Fire Station along the coast all the way to Mellieha bay makes for a wonderful two hour walk. You get to see St Paul's islands close up and pass through two beaches en route (Imgiebah and Mistra Bays).”

If you’d like to join in on any of the hikes and activities organised by Experience: Adventures and More or Miles into Memories, you can find details on their respective Facebook pages.