Saturday 31st January: Madliena Fort

Walk leader: Gunther Jacobs

Some photos below, courtesy of Marcel Pisani

Panoramic view from Fort Madliena

Fort Madliena: its highest point

Fort Madliena: the excavated ditch

Ras il-Qrejten & its watch tower (aka ta' Qalet Marku)

Fort Madliena: its most recent extension

Crossing over a 100-year–old wooden bridge

Having a rest whilst listening to the explanation

Inside the ditch

Sunday 18th January Walk

Three Coastal Towers, Two Wayside Chapels, One Redoubt (Scenic, Cultural, Historical ) – Salina / Bahar ic-Caghaq / Maghtab

A group of sixty ramblers turned up for today’s walk. From our meeting place we headed towards Salina. After passing by the Perellos Redoubt (also known as Ximenes Redoubt) and its nearby well-conserved fougasse, we started heading (through country lanes) towards the first watch tower, it-Torri tal-Ghallis. From there we headed inland, towards Maghtab, where we had a short rest near the rural chapel dedicated to Santa Marija.

After approximately 30 minutes we reached Qalet Marku, where we visited the next watch tower, known as it-Torri ta’ Qalet Marku or it-Torri ta’ Qrejten.

From there, we again crossed the Coast Road and headed inland, passing through country lanes towards the outskirts of Bahar ic-Caghaq, until we reached the (once rural) chapel dedicated to San Gwann l-Evangelista, where we had another short rest.

From there we crossed the Coast Road back to the seaward side, where we followed a relatively difficult path to reach the ex-caravan site, and continued via the coastline till we reached our last watch tower, it-Torri tal-Madliena. Another fougasse is located here, just a few metres away from the tower.

This last watch tower marked the end of today’s walk.

Distance : 12 km

Time: 4 hours ( 0830 – 1230 )

Walk leader: Simon

A track of our walk, courtesy of Sandro Bugeja

And some photos below.

Near the Perellos Redoubt

Our secretary

The fougasse at Salina

Approaching Ghallis Tower

Torri ta' l-Ghallis

Torri ta' Qalet Marku

Kappella ta' San Gwann l-Evangelista

Fougasse near Madliena Tower

Madliena Tower

The salt pans at Bahar ic-Chaghaq

January 8, 2009: Walk Ghar Lapsi - Fawwara - Girgenti

Walk Leader: Gunther

Some photos below, contributed by Marcel Pisani

Jan 3, 2009, The Four Santa Marias of the South

Quite a few ramblers were not deterred by the early start and the relatively long walk, and a group of thirty people were ready and eager to start walking, at the published time.

We started off by heading towards Hal Farrug at 0805am. Using country lanes, we walked on the ridge of Wied il-Kbir & Wied Sillani till we reached the point when the valley system bifurcates into Wied ta’ Kandja. Here we walked through this valley (or struggled through at times), until eventually we exited the valley and continued through secondary roads to Qrendi parish church, reaching it at 10:00am.

From Qrendi we continued towards Mqabba, passing through Hal Millieri, and reaching Mqabba parish church at approximately 11:00am. We were lucky that a lady offered to open up the recently-restored medieval chapel of San Bazilju for us. After this short and interesting break, we headed towards the outskirts of Safi & Kirkop, passing by Gnien Sir Alexander Ball, where we enjoyed a short rest to visit this lesser known orchard. After reaching the southern extremity of the MIA airport premises, we headed towards Gudja, reaching its parish church at 12:45 pm.

After another 15-minute break, we started our walk towards Hal Ghaxaq which we reached after just 35 minutes. Here some people opted to leave the walk, but twenty ramblers decided to complete it all… and reached the final destination through Wied Garnaw after passing by the chapels of Santu Kristu & Santa Lucija.

Distance : 24 km

Time : 6 ½ hours (0800-1430)

Walk leader : Simon

Some photos below, courtesy of Marcel Pisani

On the ridge of Wied il-Kbir

Wied ta’ Kandja

Mqabba village-core

San Bazilju Chapel – Mqabba

Main Alterpiece of adjacent chapel


Gnien Sir Alexander Ball

A rural shrine on our way to Gudja

Below is the route of the walk, courtesy of Sandro Bugeja

Walks Programme: January to March 2009

Walks Programme: January to March 2009

Below please find the programme of walks that RAM has organised for the period January to March 2009. Some routes entail walking over rough terrain in open countryside. Good walking shoes and suitable clothing for the weather are therefore recommended. It is always a good idea to bring some drinking water along, especially on the longer walks. Some walks might present problems to anyone who is not used to walking over unpaved ground.

Please note that while RAM takes great care in picking the trails, one’s safety is ultimately one’s responsibility. RAM declines all responsibility for any personal injury or loss of belongings.

Although RAM endeavours to adhere to the published walks programme, a change of route, date, or other details may become necessary and we reserve the right to make such changes without prior notice.

All walks are circular walks unless otherwise noted.

In case of very bad weather, walks might be cancelled. If in doubt please consult the blog (http://ramblersassociation.blogspot.com/) or phone 99497080.

Finally, it goes without saying that all participants need to be members of our association.

Note: Booking a place on a restricted walk is not the same as buying a ticket to a concert. I.e., the person who was accepted on the walk cannot decide to transfer his/her place to another person.

If you have made a booking, then we assume that you intend to join the walk. If, subsequently, something happens and you cannot make it, you might want to inform us if you have time, and we will see if there are other people on the standby list who might want to join the walk, even at short notice.

Saturday 3^rd January The Four Santa Marias of the South (Scenic, Cultural)

The idea of this walk is to revive an old tradition which used to take place on the eve of Santa Marija’s feast, when seven villages were visited. From our meeting place, we will walk towards Qrendi, reaching its parish church after approximately 2 hours. From there we continue towards Mqabba and Gudja (passing through the outskirts of Kirkop & Safi) using secondary roads and footpaths as much as possible. After reaching Ghaxaq, we return to our meeting place through Wied Garnaw.

Duration : about 7 1/2 hours

Rating : Moderate terrain except the first part from Luqa to Qrendi; otherwise no particular gradients, but remember that this is a very long walk.

Meeting place : Luqa Parish Church

Time : 8:00am

Alternately, you may join the walk in Qrendi, as mentioned below. Obviously this means that the walk will not be circular for those taking this option.

Meeting place and time: Qrendi Parish Church at 9:45 am.

---------------------------------------------------------

Thursday 8^th January

Ghar Lapsi - Fawwara - Girgenti (Scenic, Historical and Geological)

A countryside walk that will take ramblers from Ghar Lapsi to Girgenti via Fawwara hamlet, with lots of scenic and geological interest thrown in.

Duration: 3 hours

Rating: Moderate with a few inclines on uneven terrain

Meeting Place: Old Police Station at Ghar Lapsi

Time: 2.00pm

--------------------------------------------------------

Sunday 18^th January

Three Coastal Towers, Two Wayside Chapels, One Redoubt (Scenic, Cultural, Historical ) – Salina / Bahar ic-Caghaq / Maghtab

Non Circular Walk

The idea of this walk is to visit the coastal fortifications in this area together with two wayside chapels. The route to be taken depends on the actual weather conditions, opting to pass through footpaths & secondary roads as much as possible. Once the final destination is reached, one can take a bus back to the starting point.

Duration : about 4 1/2 hours

Rating : Moderate terrain, no particular steep gradients.

Meeting place : Kennedy Grove

Time : 8:30 am

-----------------------------------------

Wednesday 21^st January - Zebbiegh and Wardija (Scenic and geological)

From Zebbiegh we will take a country path to Wardija and will proceed on the ridge until we descend to Burmarrad. We will follow a footpath that will take us up to the Bidnija ridge from where we will proceed back to Zebbiegh.

Duration: 3 hours

Rating: Moderate with long inclines on uneven terrain

Meeting Place: Zebbiegh parish church

Time: 2.00pm

------------------------------------------

Saturday 31st January: Madliena Fort (Historical & Scenic)
Arrangements have been made for the Madliena Fort to be opened to Ramblers to visit and for a guide to explain the site as intended for war purposes. There will be no entrance fee for the visit although a donation on site will be appreciated for the restoration of the fort. This will be the highlight of the walk which will take us through Gharghur from Naxxar on country lanes and roads. The walk will continue along the Victoria Lines past the cart ruts back to Naxxar.

Duration: 3 hours
Rating: Smooth to moderate with some light inclines
Meeting Place: Naxxar Parish Church
Time: 2.00pm

------------------------------------

Wednesday 4th February - Bahrija (Scenic and Archeological)

A scenic and historical circular walk in the countryside around Bahrija that will take ramblers to the Bronze Age village of Tal-Qlejgha, then along the coast to Mtahleb passing by some Roman quarries, the Mtahleb hamlet and Mtahleb chapel before returning to Bahrija through country paths.

Duration: 3 hours

Rating: Moderate with some inclines and uneven terrain

Meeting Place: Bahrija parish church

Time: 2.00pm

-------------------------------------------

Sunday 8^th February Il-Vapur ta’ l-Art (Historical)

Non Circular Walk – Restricted Walk

This walk follows as much as possible the track of the old railway line between Valletta and Mdina. A few kilometers will be in the still un-built countryside but much of the walk will be in built-up areas. We shall try to identify as much as possible the remains of railway civil works that can still be seen. We shall back-track in some places due to development interrupting the line.

Since most of the walk is along busy roads the number of participants is being limited to the first 25 persons. (If necessary this walk will be repeated).

This is a restricted walk. Please book, preferably by email on ramwalks@gmail.com quoting subject “Il-Vapur ta’ L-Art”, or alternately (if you have no access to email) by SMS to 79425744. Booking will open 10 days before the walk, i.e., on 29^th January. Any requests before that date will be disregarded.

Meeting Place: To be notified

Rating: Moderate

Duration: 4-5 hours

Special Risks: Walking along busy roads

---------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday 10th February: Dingli and Mtahleb (Cultural & Scenic)
Although we have walked this route several times, this route remains popular as it takes ramblers from Dingli through country paths and lanes to Mtahleb for the scenery. The route continues through the outskirts of Rabat via Santa Caterina back to Dingli centre.

Duration: 3 hours
Rating: Moderate with a few inclines
Meeting Place: Dingli Parish Church
Time: 9.00am

---------------------------

Sunday 15th February – Below the Victoria Lines (Scenic, Cultural, Historical) Non Circular Walk – Restricted Walk

The idea of this walk is to ramble just below the Victoria Lines from one extreme point to another. This is a very difficult walk due to the very rough terrain. If you do not consider yourself physically fit, please DO NOT book for this walk.

This is a restricted walk. Please book, preferably by email on ramwalks@gmail.com

quoting subject “Victoria Lines”, or alternately (if you have no access to email) by SMS to 79425744. Booking will open 10 days before the walk, i.e., on 5^th February. Any requests before that date will be disregarded.

Duration : about 8 hours

Rating : Very difficult terrain, sometimes very steep gradients. Only for experienced ramblers, not for the faint-hearted.

Meeting place : To be notified

Time : To be notified

------------------------------

Wednesday 18th February: Old Roman Road (Historical & Scenic)
The walk starts off at Mgarr and leads to Manikata through Mrejmu, then the Bajda Ridge and along the Roman road to the Mellieha pumping station before returning to Mgarr via Zebbiegh.

Duration: 3 hours
Rating: Moderate on uneven terrain
Meeting Place: Mgarr Parish Church
Time: 2.00pm

------------------------------------------

Friday 27^th February to Sunday 1^st March

Gozo Weekend

More details in the forthcoming newsletter.

-----------------------

Sunday 8^th March Delli-Majjiesa (Scenic)

Restricted Walk

Our popular and well-subscribed rough ramble on the wild boulder scree beneath Xaghra l-Hamra is again on our program this year. This scenic walk is a somewhat difficult ramble and only suitable for experienced ramblers. Due to the particular nature of the area as well as its ecological sensitivity, participation is limited to around 25 members.

Please book, preferably by email on ramwalks@gmail.com quoting subject “Delli”, or alternately by SMS (if you have no access to email) to 79425744. Booking will open 10 days before the walk, i.e., on 26^th February. Any requests before that date will be disregarded. Preference will be given to members who have never been on this walk with us.

Rating: Mostly rough terrain which requires the participant's full attention.

Duration: about 3 hours

Meeting place: To be notified

Time: To be notified

---------------------------------------------------------

Sunday 15^th March - The Valletta Fortifications (Scenic and Historical)

The idea is to walk around and under the fortified walls of Valletta from the side of Marsamxett harbour to reach up at The Waterfront at the Grand Harbour end. We will pass by the Excelsior Hotel and down to Marsamxett on the coastline beneath Fort Saint Elmo through to the Breakwater, Customs House and Pinto Stores. Thence we will ascend the Crucifix Hill through the scenic Kalkara gardens back to the starting point at the Bus Terminus at City Gate.

Duration: 4 hours

Rating: Moderate to rough

Meeting Place: City Gate, Valletta

Time: 9.00am

--------------------------

Sunday 29^th March Wied id-Dis (Scenic)

A circular walk that will start us up the ridge of Madliena from Pembroke, then down besides the Gharghur fireworks factory to Wied id-Dis. This valley system was fed with water from as far as San Gwann and Tal-Balal. Today it is dominated by the infamous Busietta Gardens. Having walked through the beauty and the beast we will proceed to the plain of Bahar-ic-Caghaq, passing by Gebel San Pietru. At the pebble beach we turn right towards Blata l-Bajda point and Madliena Tower further on. We will pass through the former caravan site, recently "cleaned up" and through the rifle ranges of Pembroke back to the starting place.

Duration: 4-5 hours

Rating: Moderate to hard and long uneven surfaces

Meeting Place: Radisson Hotel Car park, San Gorg.

Time: 9.00am

----------------------------------