Gozo is an island full of adventures, and the Xlendi Cliffs hike is among the best of them. It is by no means a long hike and starts right at the bay – and yet, it feels like you are exploring a remote area. At least, until you look behind you and see the buildings of Xlendi and even Xewkija in the distance.
I spend over two weeks in Xlendi and saw the cliffs all the time, as my apartment was facing them. This is how I first saw people traverse the steep areas of the cliffs, and given that I love hiking, I know that I had to give it a go at the earliest convenience.
And thankfully, I did not have to wait long for what looked to be a great sunset, which meant I ended up hiking up the Xlendi Cliffs after a day full of scuba diving in Gozo – a perfect combination for adventure lovers! The views were great and so was the hike itself, so of course I loved it.
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Initially, I only expected to mention it in my list of things to do in Gozo. But then, I saw a lot of people attempting to do the hike and failing as they could not find the beginning of the two trails.
A good 75% gave up after running around while looking up the Xlendi cliffs and then at their phone. And I really cannot blame them, as it is very tricky to know where to start climbing if you have not seen someone else do it. After all, you do start the hike by scrambling up rocks.
Given that, I decided it is time to improve the odds by providing a detailed guide of what the Xlendi Cliffs hike is like. Hopefully, this hiking guide will make it easier to spot where the two trails start so you can enjoy the great panorama along the hike too!
About the Hike
The Xlendi Cliffs hike is a mix of scrambling, uphill walking, and steps that have been dug into the rock. It has steep sections without any guard rails, and it is tricky to find the right part. Therefore, it is the ideal hike for everyone that loves an adventurous short hike, but less ideal for people that spend less time exploring the outdoors.
Not up for an adventurous hike? There is another trail along the southern cliffs of Xlendi. If you follow this trail, you will eventually reach the Sanap Cliffs. It is a scenic hike that is not too demanding and therefore ideal for everyone that wants a leisurely walk instead.
The hike has a total elevation gain of around 60 meters and at times, the lower path has an incline of up to 39%.
You if want a longer hike, you can continue onwards to Dwejra Bay along the cliffs. It is a 6.3 km walk and there are some private property signs along the way, but these are in fact illegal and can be ignored.
The Best Time to Hike
Thanks to the Mediterranean climate in Malta, you can do the Xlendi Cliffs hike year-round. However, you should consider the fact that it is far from ideal to hike here on rainy and windy days, which means you will not be able to do it every day. Hereby, February is the windiest month, while it rains the most from October to March.
Meanwhile, the summer months June to August are usually very hot during the day, which means a mid-day hike is not advised. I recommend climbing the cliffs in the early morning or evening instead to avoid the heat.
If you want a mild climate and sunny days, the shoulder season is ideal. So plan your Gozo hiking trip from April to June or September for perfect hiking conditions.
It is unlikely that you will ever encounter big crowds on the Xlendi Cliffs – at least, once you start climbing up the actual trail after the staircase that leads to Caroline’s Cave. Therefore, you do not have to worry about large crowds near the top of the cliff even if you visit Xlendi during the high season in summer.
In spring, the plants on the cliffs are in bloom and green, which makes the scenery even more stunning. Therefore, I more than recommend hiking up the cliffs during that time of the year.
Xlendi Cliffs Hike Difficulty
In terms of length and total elevation gain, the Xlendi Cliffs hike is not difficult. However, this does not mean it is an easy hike. In fact, it requires a good level of fitness as the hike has some sections with very steep inclines that require scrambling on the way up and potentially sliding back down on your butt.
In addition that that, you should also have a decent amount of hiking experience, as it is not easy to spot the actual trail. There are no waymarkers except for the occasional red dots on the ground and stone pyramids, but neither point you in the right direction. At times, you will likely venture off the path or an alternative route will be more appealing to you, which means this hike takes longer than you think.
The stone staircases at the beginning of the upper trail are very steep and a wrong step could be very dangerous, so this hike is not suitable for children.
Things to Keep in Mind
Aside from looking up the weather and having the required level of fitness, there are several other things you should keep in mind while hiking up the Xlendi Cliffs. These things concern your safety, but also your behavior while on the trail.
Stay away from the cliffs’ edge while hiking. It might be tempting to walk towards it in order to get a better view of the area, but it is incredibly dangerous. Due to the geology of Malta, the ground right under the edge is often carved out and could easily collapse if you stand on it.
Leave no trace principle applies, so take your trash with you and do not take anything you find in nature.
The area is part of the ‘Xlendi Bay to Wardija Point Cliffs Important Bird Area‘ where Scopoli’s Shearwater and Yelkouan Shearwater nest. Please help protect these birds by not playing loud music while hiking and staying away from nests you encounter.
And while I cannot believe that I once again have a reason for saying in a post: Please behave like a civilized hiker that does not own the place. The trail is a public space, so do not do things you would not want to do in full view of the entire town.
The Trail up the Xlendi Cliffs
The lower trail up the Xlendi Cliffs starts at the stairs to the Cliff Spot and Caroline, while the upper trail starts at another set of stairs that can be reached by walking down the alley behind Ta’ Karolina restaurant. Hereby, the first set of stairs will lead you right to the beginning of the lower trail, while the second set of stairs ends at the beginning of the upper trail.
There is a connecting path between the two, but you have to walk on a narrow wall-like passage for parts of the connection. Locals do cut back the plants growing over it, but I do not think it is the best option as there is no handrail or anything you could hold on to.
I choose the upper route to hike the Xlendi Cliffs and really enjoyed it, but also tested the beginning of the lower route to see how the two routes compare. Here are my observations and how to find the beginning of the trails:
The Lower Trail
The actual lower trail begins very close to the end of the staircase with the blue guardrail. All you have to do is follow the path that leads right for three meters. At first glance, you will only see rocks, but one of them has a red dot on it – this is where you have to climb up. Once you have traversed this first tricky part, the path itself is much easier to spot and you can use further red dots to guide you to the top.
The Upper Trail
Meanwhile, the upper path begins right at the end of the other set of stairs. There is a small stone wall to your right once you reach the top of the stairs, and if you look at the cliffs above it, you can see steps that have been cut into the rock. Climb the wall and then merely follow up the steps.
Just know, that these steps are uneven and steep, so you need good balance. Try to always have at least two points of contact with the rocks as you climb these steps, so keep your hands free during this section. Do not attempt this route if you have an intense fear of heights.
Once you have traversed the area with the steepest incline, you will start to see tiny stone towers that show you the way. Follow them further up the cliffs.
As you walk up the cliffs, you start to have a stunning view of Xlendi and the surrounding area. You can see the Rotunda of Xewkija in the distance and if you look towards the ocean, you will see the Xlendi Watch Tower and salt pans.
The lower trail is marked by red dots, while the upper trail is marked by stone pillars. Given that there are a lot of plants growing on the Xlendi Cliffs, you sometimes have to look around to spot the next one.
Top of the Cliffs
At one point, the two trails meet and you are in the area with the best view. If you want to sit down and enjoy the view, I highly recommend the somewhat sheltered area at the following coordinates: 36.030355; 14.213747. It is the best vantage point of the cliffs and a safe spot. You do not have to walk on any questionable areas right at the cliff to get there. It is also a great spot for a picnic.
Note: The path up the Xlendi Cliffs is easier to spot than the way back down. This means that is part tends to feel more adventurous, as you will likely leave your intended trail at one point. And while that is fine as long as you are experienced enough to determine which route is safe, I highly recommend using ‘MapsMe’ to stay on or near the path.
Xlendi Cliffs Sunset
While it might not be the best sunset spot in Gozo, the Xlendi Cliffs are a great place for a sunset hike. As the sun starts to set, the light of the golden hour illuminates the cliffs in a golden light, and once it has vanished behind the cliffs, it tends to light up the clouds in pastel shades.
Just know that you should not do the sunset hike alone unless you are a local and know the area like the back of your hand. It is already hard to spot the path back down the cliffs during the day, which means you will definitely lose the right path at one point in the dark.
There is also a much higher chance of injuring yourself as you cannot clearly see where you are stepping, and you do not want to be on the Xlendi Cliffs on your own if you are unable to walk.
What to Bring on the Hike
In order to ensure your safety and comfort while hiking up the Xlendi Cliffs, you should bring the following items:
sturdy footwear — the ground is uneven and there are a lot of steep inclines which makes proper footwear vital. Do not attempt to hike here in sandals or flip flops.
water & snacks — it might not be a long hike, but you should always fill up your insulated water bottle before going on a hike. Consider bringing more than just a snack, as the top of the cliffs is a wonderful place for a picnic.
a fully charged phone — on one hand you need to be able to use your phone if something goes wrong while you are hiking, and on the other hand you should use the ‘MapsMe’ app to find and stay on the path.
camera — While it is not essential, I recommend bringing your camera so you can take photos of the stunning view you have from the Xlendi Cliffs.
torch or headlamp — while you do not need it for daytime hikes, it is vital to bring a source of light you you want to watch the sunset from the cliffs. It gets dark quickly once the sun has set, which makes a torch a vital safety feature.
How to get to the Xlendi Cliffs
The Xlendi Cliffs hike starts at the northern end of the bay promenade close to Ta’ Karolina Restaurant, so you can just walk to the beginning of the trail regardless of where you are in Xlendi.
If you are not staying in the small fishing town, you can easily get there by bus route 306 or route 330 from Victoria. The closest bus stop is ‘Xlendi’, but if you want to walk around the bay ahead of your hike, you can also leave the bus at ‘Xmun’.
If you are exploring Gozo by car, you can park the car around 150 meters away from the staircases that mark the beginning of the hike. There is a bigger parking area, but if it is full you can also park at the side of the road slightly further up the hill towards Fontana.
Still looking for a rental car for your Gozo trip? Rent it now! While it is cheaper to rent a car right at Malta’s airport, you can also pick it up at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo.
Where to stay
St. Patrick’s Hotel Xlendi
Xlendi is a wonderful place to stay while you are exploring Gozo, and the St. Patrick’s Hotel is the best hotel right at Xlendi Bay. Some rooms face the bay, while others offer a view of the valley behind Xlendi which is especially nice during sunrise. There are also rooms that face a closed inner courtyard.
There is a small pool on the roof, but more is not necessary as the bay of Xlendi is the perfect swimming pool if you want to go for a swim.
The hotel has a restaurant and you can sit outside right at the bay, which makes it the best place in Xlendi to eat your breakfast. The breakfast buffet includes cheese pastizzi and pea pastizzi, so you can start your day the Maltese way.
In addition to that, the hotel staff is incredibly friendly and often happy to share funny stories about life in Xlendi and Gozo.
Other Places to Stay in Gozo
Sunny Villa, Nadur ($$) — this villa is a charming traditional farmhouse with a pool & BBQ area. You can book one of the four rooms, or rent the entire villa.
Ta’ Cenc, Sannat ($$$) — a great 5-star hotel; with a spa & an outdoor pool. There are several great restaurants and bars on the hotel property.
Planning a trip?
Check out these useful websites and resources I use to plan my own adventures.
Is the Xlendi Cliffs Hike worth it?
The Xlendi Cliffs hike in Gozo is definitely worth it for adventure lovers. Despite being a short hike, it is a thrilling experience full of scrambling and actively looking for the path. Add the fact that it offers stunning views of Xlendi and the surrounding area, and this hike can only be described as a memorable experience.
And of course, it is the perfect thing to do during the golden hour (if you have the right equipment). From the elevated vantage points along the hike, you can see everything in a wonderful golden light, that only enhances an already beautiful environment.
Just keep in mind that the hike up the Xlendi Cliffs requires a good level of fitness and some hiking experience, and you are good to go on a great adventure.
More about Gozo
If you are planning a Gozo trip, you might also be interested in these Malta Guides:
Tal Mixta Cave
Gozo for Foodies
When will you visit Xlendi?
Let me know in the comments down below!
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