En route
Three days of cycling took us from our hotel in Bugibba to
- the Gnejna Bay (near the Golden Bay) where we started a short hike to the Fomm ir-Rih bay. Our intention was to look for Windy Cove, but we weren't able to get down to the bay as easy as we thought and then decided to forget about the cache and just go back.
- Mosta, along the Victoria Lines to Mdina and Rabat, then to Zebbiegh crossing the Victoria Lines (and stopping for the Tower of Bablyon) and finally via Mellieha to the Anchor Bay and back to Bugibba.
- Cirkewwa where we took the ferry to Mgarr/Gozo and continued cycling to Ggantija/Xaghra, Victoria and the Mgarr ix-Xini Bay. From there it was only a short ride back to Mgarr, then with the ferry to Cirkewwa and with muscular strength to our hotel.
On our bus trip back to the airport we saw signs along the cost between Salina Bay (opposite Qawra) and Pembroke or Paceville that marked a bicycle route. The scenery looked marvellous and we regretted not having cycled there. However, neither the internet nor the rental shop told us anything about Malta's first (?) bicycle route. :-((
Our rides were all fairly short with some ups and downs, but nothing really demanding. Though Malta and Gozo have marvellous bays and impressive cliffs, the countryside is overall a bit dull: Almost no trees, usually only rocks with small bushes and (grey) grass. It may be different in spring time or later in autumn when the climate allows flowers to grow...
On the map below, you will also find our hiking tour from the Blue Grotto to the prehistoric temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra and along the Dingli Cliffs to the Cart Ruts at Clapham Junction and finally to Rabat (where we took a bus back to the hotel). Geocaches helped us to find our way, namely Pilot's Hideaway, Altar of Sacrifice and The Ring of Clapham Junction.
The following interactive map shows the trips in detail. If you click on the hyperlinks in the sidebar, you will get more information on the day trip.