The
Victoria Lines (in reverse)
Malta
Distance 10.5km Climb 285m
Saturday 23 November 2019
We have previously walked the Victoria Lines on our visit to Malta in September 2017, walk 7 from the booklet Malta 10 Great Walks. Today we would be walking the route in reverse to the booklet. The booklet advises this walk covers approx. half of the Victoria Lines that run across Malta.
We got the bus 222 from right outside our hotel, and got off at the Mediterraneo Marine Park where we walked to on our previous walk in Malta.
I wanted to check out a feature I had spotted on one of my maps. So we crossed over the road and walked down to our left. The map shows this area as an old redoubt, which we found is now a restaurant.
After a couple of photos we turned round and walked back up the road, passing the Mediterraneo Marine Park. It was only when the path ran out we realised we would have to return down the hill a little to the road crossing as there was no other way to get across the road.
Back over the road where we got off the bus, we turned left and walked up the hill. Taking the first junction on our right.
We were on a narrow road walking through a small collection of houses.
At the top of the bank was an old church.
Turning right the road was level along here and after a few hundred meters we passed this grand looking house.
We were walking on memory of our last visit, in reverse, unfortunately memory let us down a little. We turned left and walked up the hill, then a right and as we followed the road round to the left I realised we had missed a turning and we were climbing up to another part of The Victoria Lines not where we wanted to be.
Rather than carry on in this direction we turned round and returned to the grand house and took the path now to our left. We should not have turned left at the grand house, we should have continued straight on. Later when checking a map, the map shows this as a road but it looked like a dirt track.
This was the correct road, continuing on then following the road round to the left.
We could see where we were wanting to go, high up to our left. Another long flat stretch of road and another junction. Turning left onto the Triq it-Targa.
Where we started to climb, up and up. As the road turned right the climb eased slightly, still going up. Care had to be taken as the cars just fly down this stretch of road. After a series of steady climbs we passed the early Christian shrine, I had to have a look in while Anne continued up the hill.
There was a little more climbing before reaching the top of the road.
When I got to the top, Anne was sitting on a wall having a short rest. The wind was blowing a lot stronger on the top. I had a quick look to find the easiest route for Anne, so as not to put any unnecessary strain on her sore ankle. The best way was to take the narrow path down a steep slope.
We could see where we were going.
The steep slope took us to the top of the steep steps.
At the bottom of the steps we would have followed the path by the wall but this tree was in the way so we had a little detour.
Around the tree we returned to the path by the wall.
Down more steep steps, across the top of the wall and climb up again on the other side.
Down to the right we could see the ear.
Near the top some of the steps and stones are missing and so we had to take care, then it was back to following by the wall.
In some places we had to push our way through the bushes. At the top as the wall levels a little we knew we had to find a way across the garrague. In places we could see a path to follow and it didn't take us long to reach the road.
At the road we turned right, over the road there is a massive quarry.
Following the road we reached a large roundabout.
Crossing straight over the roundabout we continued along the road, which is a very busy road, with no pavement.
Fort Mosta came into sight to the right as the road turns to the left. Below to the right a large quarry opened up.
After a few more hundred meters we reached the edge of Mosta and an area of Bronze Age stones.
Bronze Age cart ruts.
Back on the road and after a few more meters, down to our right we could see The Chapel in the Cave, where we walked too on our last Victoria Lines walk. At the top of the far cliff is a statue of the Madonna.
As the road turns starts to turn left we could see Mdina in the distance.
Further around the corner the impressive bridge across the Valley of Honey came into sight.
A little further along the road we could see the Mosta Rotunda, Mosta's Cathedral.
As we passed the bridge we could see groups of people abseiling off it.
Passing the bridge the idea was to find a café, where Anne could rest while I had a walk along the Valley to The Chapel in the Cave. Unfortunately we could not find one so returned back to the bridge and crossed over.
Over the bridge we reached another roundabout, crossing straight over we continued up the road. Where we called into Lidl for a little shopping before crossing the road and dropping down to the Institute of Creative Arts.
A turn down to the left then right and we reached the Victoria Lines. It looked like the area has been cleaned up since our last visit here.
As we walked the Victoria Lines we could hear what sounded like lots of lorries tooting their horns and driving slowly. It must have been in protest and went on for some time.
It was still going on as we reached the road Triq Misrah Ghonoq, we could see a large convoy of lorries down on the Triq Burmarrad.
Reaching the end of the Triq Misrah Ghonoq we looked over the Targa Gap and saw St Joseph with the baby Jesus.
We continued along to the main road Triq Francesco Napuljun t and I turned right to get a photo of the pillbox bus stop.
Then I turned around and we walk up to the roundabout.
Following the road down we crossed the bridge over the Speranza Valley.
Passed the Police Station and the Mosta Rotunda, Mosta's Cathedral. We would spend time to visit this properly another day.
But today we crossed the road for a well deserved cake and coffee at the Cake Box. Before catching a bus to Valletta and a well deserved drink or two.
Anne was still having trouble with her ankle but we had covered 10.5km with 285m climb. It was a nice walk, an interesting walk full of fascinating historical information.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
Follow link to my previous walk Exiles Bay to Mediterraneo Marine Park 21 Nov 2019.
Follow link to my next walk Sliema to The Three Cities 29 Nov 2019.
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