The Island of Comino
Malta
Distance 10km Climb 190m
Thursday 28 September 2017
I had been looking forward to this walk since I saw the island on our first day, St Agatha's Tower. Where from the garigue we had seen the bright blue of the Blue Lagoon. On our walk the previous Saturday Cirkewwa to Mellieha we had looked onto the island and checked out the ferry times and prices.
Today was the day we were doing Walk 9 from the booklet Malta 10 Great Walks. If you would like a copy of the booklet then please follow the link. The booklet gives a good description of routes and points out loads of interesting information. I am writing the basic details of our walk, it would be wrong of me to copy all of the information from the booklet. I would recommend this booklet to anyone interested in doing this walk.
We took the number 42 bus down the road from the hotel to the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal. Walking across the area where the cars wait to board the Gozo Ferry we reached the Comino Ferries Co-op ticket stall. where we purchased our tickets and waited for the ferry across to Comino.
The ferry crossing was very fast and exciting as we bounced across the waves. It did not take long to reach the ferry landing at the Blue Lagoon. Leaving the ferry landing we could see how the Blue Lagoon got its name up close. We decided that we would do the walk first and take the opportunity to have a swim in the Lagoon on our return.
Walking to our right we started climbing away from the Blue Lagoon and after a short climb we crested a rise to see Santa Maria's Tower to our south.
In places we were walking over rough ground very similar to the garigue we had crossed on a couple of our previous walks mentioned above. This soon became a rough path that many visiting the Tower would have taken.
We passed beautiful bays where boats had tied up and people where enjoying swimming in the sea.
Soon the path becomes a track that leads to the Tower. To our left we pass an old army camp.
My booklet shows that the Tower is sometimes open to tourists, unfortunately the signs shows not today. Looking south, across to the mainland we could see St Agatha's Tower and radar station from our previous walks.
After walking around the Tower we turned down the track towards the old army camp.
Signs show it is dangerous to enter, we turned right along the track, after a few hundred meters this track turns east. We were walking above, looking down to the South Comino Channel on our right.
My booklet recommends taking a visit down a track to the right to a small beach. It was very quiet and peaceful along here.
Returning to the track we continued east until we reached Santa Maria's Battery. There were a number of boats coming to look at the caves along the coast. I took a few steps off the track to look down and get a photo of this stunning view.
We had a short rest at Santa Maria's Battery, looking south we could see The White Tower, we would walk to this tower on another day. Leaving the Battery we turned north west to follow the track as it heads inland.
After a short climb we were walking beside a massive complex, an abandoned pig farm.
From the rise looking back south, I am sure we could see as far south as St Paul's Bay. We could also see Ahrax Tower (The White Tower) we would pass on another walk.
Looking north we could see the rough track we were following, broken telegraph poles lined the route. In the distance was Gozo.
We passed an abandoned farm cottage. As always lizards scattered at our approach.
We were walking down hill towards the beach of Santa Maria. To our left we could see a small chapel.
We walked around Santa Maria Bay towards the hotel and thought about a shandy. Signs showing residents only and private put us off going any further.
We turned back and took the track from the Bay to the Chapel of the Sacred Family Upon its Return from Eqypt. Where we had a rest and a drink of water in the shade.
After our rest we continued up hill along the dusty track, A minibus came passed us a few times carrying passengers between the Blue Lagoon and Santa Maria's Bay. It looked a rough road, we did see some people walking it, I was glad I was walking.
At the road junction Anne turned right on the flat, whilst I continued up hill on the road to the left. After a few hundred meters the track levels and Santa Maria's Tower came into view. I turned right along a track that leads to the hilltop cemetery.
I imagined I could see nearly all of the island of Comino from up here, as well as large parts of Gozo and mainland Malta.
After taking a few photos I returned back to the track junction and I soon caught up with Anne.
Anne had spotted a sign showing there was a shop at the hotel in San Niklaw Bay, so that was where we now headed. Again we came across signs saying residents only and private, but Anne figured if they did not want us to call they would not have had a sign showing shop.
Having the access we stayed for a shandy, while Anne had a browse.
Returning back to our walk, after climbing the rise from San Niklaw Bay, Anne continued around the track towards the Blue Lagoon. Whilst I took the route recommended in the booklet to see the shoreline. A number of people were bathing in the area.
It was crowded with so many people we could not find a place to sit, or even leave our bag. Not a place to relax in, it was very noisy after the quite of the walk. There was no where at all on the beach and most of the rocks were taken. We should have had a swim when we arrived before all the crowds came. Should we stay or should we go? A little disappointed but not that much as we had such a good walk. We decided to head back, we knew where there was a beach where we could swim and relax.
There was a lot of pushing and shoving getting onto the ferry. Which took us around the coast to look at the caves and coves. Back at Cirkewwa we only had a few minutes to wait for the number 101 bus.
We had covered 10km with 190m climb. Another good walk from the booklet Malta 10 Great Walks. I would recommend checking out this link to anyone interested in doing any walking in Malta.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Malta or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow link to my previous walk in Malta The Three Cities 27 Sept 2017.
Follow link to my next walk in Malta The Victoria Lines 30 Sept 2017.
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