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Qorrot Country Walk
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Dahlet Qorrot Walk
C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
GozoGozoTHE ISLAND OFTHE ISLAND OF
Introduction
This circular walk starts and ends in Nadur. It takes you
from Nadur to Dahlet Qorrot bay, skirting Mistra Rocks –
a boulder shore. Dahlet Qorrot is a typical bay with
some boathouses hewn out of the rock:an ideal spot for
swimming and fishing.
Along the route you will pass by a number of cultivated
fields at Ta’Grejgel valley. Here,both modern and
traditional farming methods are put to use to reap the
succulent joys yielded by Mother Earth.
Proceeding onwards, the walk leads the hiker to the
outskirts of Qala village where breathtaking views of
the sister islands can be enjoyed.All along you can
closely observe the characteristic garigue habitat. On
the way back to Nadur via Qala, you can admire an 18th
century windmill and a very old pigeon loft. Nadur is a
typical Gozitan village,with houses nestled around the
dominating Baroque or Romanesque place of worship.
A route map found in the centre pages of this booklet,
together with several directional signs located along
this route, will help you to follow the walk more easily.
It is advisable to stick to the set route so that you can
appreciate more fully the Gozitan landscape, rural way
of life and other curiosities.
Distance:9 kms
Time: 3 hours
Water windmills
San Filep Bay
The walk
This route starts from the village
s q u a re of Nadur. The town name
o r i g i n ates from the Arabic ‘ n a d a r ’,
meaning a wat c h - o u t p o i nt , d e r i ve d
f rom the strategic position t h at t h i s
v i l l a ge occupies on the island.
I n d e e d , a large part of Gozo, M a l t a
and Comino can be seen from t h e
various va nt a ge points t h at t h i s
v i l l a ge affo rd s . This is one of t h e
m o s t p i ct u resque villages of Gozo,
with a population of around 4000.
Nadur is situated on a plat e a u ,
which is 512 fe e t , or around 170
metres high above sea level.
A ctivity in the village square is
carried out under the shadow of the
parish churc h , d e d i c ated to t h e
apostles Peter and Pa u l . The churc h
is certainly worth a visit.
T h e v i l l a ge ’s main square a l s o
GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
Nadur Parish Church
The building of this churc h , designed by the Maltese arc h i t e ct
Giuseppe Bonnici, s t a rted on the 7th December 176 0. In 1904
the aisle, dome and fa c a d e ,designed by Prof. F. S. S c i o rt i n o,we re
added to the existing struct u re.The church is open daily fro m
5.00am to 10.00am and from 4.15pm to 7. 1 5 p m .
The most striking fe at u res of the church are the main altarpiece and the pulpit, b o t h
sculpted out of ony x. Maltese-born Lazza ro Pisani painted the ceiling while t h e
famous Roman Pio Cellini did the arc h i t e ct u ral deco rat i o n s . All 33 stained glass
w i n d ows we re bro u g ht over from Fra n ce in 1951. The statue of St. Peter and St. Pa u l
was carved in wood in Marseilles in 1885.
Enjoying nature
The Swallowtail
butterfly
1
Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul
h o s t s a police stat i o n ,
t wo banks a n d a
p h a r m a c y. I t is t h e
venue for many
a ct i v i t i e s d u r i n g
t h e y e a r b u t
e n j oys its busiest
d ays on the 27 t h ,
28th and the 29th
of J u n e w h e n
l - I m n a r j a , t h e
t raditional village
fe a s t i s
ce l e b rat e d .
The walk pro ceeds t h rough Tr i q
D i cembru T l e t t a x , the stre e t to t h e
l e ft e m b racing the basilica on one
side. This normally busy street is the
c e nt r e o f m a n y a ct i v i t i e s
t h ro u g h o u t the ye a r, such as t h e
m e r ry days of Ca r n i va l , which t a ke
p l a ce during Fe b r u a ry, and other
religious pro ce s s i o n s . Fu rther along
this stre e t one can
also find t wo clubs - the Nadur
Yo u n g s t e r s ’ Football club and t h e
Imnarja Band Club.
Triq Dicembru Tlettax leads to Tr i q
C i m ce m , a side stre e t which leads on
Triq San Gwa n n . O n ce you wa l k
d own the remaining few metres of
Triq San Gwann you will ge t to one
of Nadur’s main roads – Triq it-Ti g r i j a
o r Ra ce co u r s e S t re e t . At t h e
i nt e r s e ctional point you will see a
n i c h e p ro u d l y d i s p l ay i n g a
re p ro d u ction of a painting of Our
Lady of Ta ’ Pinu . To pro ce e d , you are
advised to cross over to the other
side of Triq it-Ti g r i j a . Walking only a
few metres we s t wa rd s you will meet
a sidestre e t d i s p l aying a one-way
s i g n . O n ce you turn into this side
j u n ction you will be led towa rds Tr i q
San Blas, lined with 20th ce nt u ry
re s i d e nt i a l h o u s e s . O n e of t h e s e
‘ h o u s e s ’ is a bake ry t h at still employs
the t raditional way of bre ad m a k i n g.
Walking further down Triq San Blas,
the stre e t fo r ks into
2 San Filep bay and Mistra Rocks
Carnival days
two. To proceed to Dahlet Qorrot bay, you should opt
for the fork on the right.
At this point , the sce n e ry changes from an urban
type to one chara cterised by t e r ra ced fields and
c a rob t rees t h at offer a we l come shade on hot s u n -
drenched days.
The downhill turn offers spectacular views . If yo u
look to the left , you will observe the high plat e a u
k n own as Qortin t a l - L a cc a . These imposing cliffs are
made out of one of the harder sediment a ry ro c ks of
the Maltese Islands: the upper co ralline limesto n e.
Other rock types include the equally hard lowe r
co ralline limesto n e , as well as the softer clay, g re e n
sand and globigerina limestone. The Qortin tal-Lacca
also hosts dense amounts of herbs such as t h e
Mediterranean thyme and low shrubs. In winter, a
A birds eye view of DahletQorrot
Enjoying the sea
3
GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
wat e rcourse develops to the left of
this road and flows down to Ta ’
Grejgel Valley.
P ro ceeding dow n h i l l , you will arrive
at a point w h e re the hidden charms
of Mistra ro c ks, San Filep and Dahlet
Q o r ro t a re disclosed. M i s t ra ro c ks is
a typical boulder screen whereas San
Filep and Dahlet Q o r ro t a re small
inlets mostly enjoyed for sw i m m i n g
and fishing by the locals.
A lane on your left b ranches off t h e
main road to Dahlet Q o r ro t. T h i s
leads to a fo o t p ath t h at ove r l o o ks
M i s t ra Ro c ks - a mass of ro c ks of all
shapes and size s .
The cliff t h at rests above Mistra Ro c ks
is also formed from upper co ra l l i n e
l i m e s to n e.This stone layer lies on soft
l ayers of green sand and clay.
We athering causes erosion to t h e s e
s oft and unpro t e cted laye r s . A stage
4
The Maltese Pyramidal orchid
A typical boulder at Mistra rocks
5
is then eve ntually reached where
t h e re is no physical support for t h e
h e avy upper co ralline limesto n e ;
b o u l d e r s t h u s co l l a p s e towa rd s
t h e s e a , forming the typical boulder
s c re e n .
Being virtually inaccessible exce p t fo r
the most daring of hikers, these
boulders are sites where ra re endemic
f l o ra and fauna of the Maltese islands
can be located. The Maltese spurge
and the Maltese py ramidal orchid can
be found here. The rare branched
horsetail is also quite abundant n e a r
the fresh watercourse that flows
The “Frejgatina”
A lizard basking in the sun
The Prickly pear in flower
GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
‘Ta Sopu’ watchtower
The ‘ U n i ve r s i t a ’ di Gozo ’ funded the building of this tower in 1667 but i t was unarmed unt i l
1 670 when Grandmaster Nicholas Co t toner visited Gozo and stressed the need to equip t h i s
tower with the nece s s a ry ammunition. I t was fully functional a year lat e r.
On the 10th June 1798 the French Revolutionary troops led by Napoleon Bonaparte
invaded the island of Gozo. The French landed within gunshot distance of Torri Dahlet
Qorrot,also written as La Torre di Dahlet Korrot,or Torre Nuova (now renamed ‘Torri ta’
Sopu) and the tower, which was still armed, opened fire on them in a desperate
attempt to stop the unwelcomed guests from disembarking. General Reynier, who
commanded the Gozo invasion, gave an account of this to his Commander-in-chief. The
following is an extract from this report.
"A point for landing was selected between the new tower and the bat t e ry of Ramla called Ird u m
i l - K b i r.The whole morning of the 10th June had been occupied in pre l i m i n a ry arra n ge m e nt.
Calms and co nt ra ry bre ezes had still further delayed operat i o n s ;b u t by 1pm the shore wa s
a p p roached by the 3rd Co m p a ny of Grenadiers and the 95th Demi-Briga d e.The height s
m e a nwhile had become crowned with the enemy,who re ce i ved the French with showers of
b u l l e t s ;S e rge a nt-Major Bert rand of the Grenadiers in the Genera l s ’b o at ,being killed.
The batteries of Ramla and New Tower then opened fire.The boats of Alceste co nveye d
G e n e ral Reynier and Fu g i e r i , captains Geoff rey and Sabat i e r, and the 3rd Co m p a ny of t h e
G renadiers who we re the first to land. After a rapid asce nt of the heights not w i t h s t a n d i n g
the heavy fire , the enemy at l a s t d e c a m p e d . And t h e
B at t e ry of Ramla was t a ke n . The bombards Etoile and
P l u v i e r, by their successful fire aga i n s t the enemy ’s bat t e r i e s
we re of gre at a s s i s t a n ce …" (Source :G RE NFELL – Malta,
1 7 9 8 , pg 19).
6
t h ro u g h t h e s e b o u l d e r s . I n t h i s
habitat, soil is limited to confined
spaces between the boulders. These
boulders provide a welcome shelter
from violent winds to the flora and
fauna t h at flourish here. N eve rt h e l e s s
some plants have managed to adapt
to living in other unsheltered are a s .
The boulders also offer shelter fo r
many different species of birds. The
Maltese national bird , the Blue Ro c k
T h r u s h , is one of the bird species
t h at n e s t in the cliffs and on t h e
high boulders.
Le aving Mistra Ro c ks behind, t h e
Ta’Sopu watchtower on the
formidable Mistra rocks
7
route co ntinues dow n h i l l . D a h l e t
Q o r ro t b ay is now in full view. O n
t h e l e ft s i d e of t h e ro a d , a n
u n c u l t i vated clay slope rises fro m
the sea, forming an inlet. This is
k n own as San Filep Bay: a shallow
bay strewn with boulders.
T h i s i s a p o p u l a r f i s h i n g a n d
swimming site enjoyed by locals and
tourists alike. This clay slope can still
s u p p o rt l i fe although it is re s t r i ct e d
to only one particular type of
ve ge t at i o n . The we at h e red rubble
walls and the pre s e n ce of vine t re e s
i n d i c ate t h at this area was once a
terraced slope.
San Filep is rich in flora and fa u n a .
Prickly pear t re e s, fig t rees and
African t a m a r i s ks grow by the edge
of this slope. The Maltese pyramidal
o rc h i d , an endemic plant , is among
the most co l o u rful flowers which
t h r i ve on this site during spring.
Fa u n a i s a l s o a b u n d a nt a n d
d i ffe re nt i n s t a nts of the life cycle of
the Gourd ladybird t h at can be
found living on a bush of squirt i n g
cucumber may be observed here.
Le av i n g S a n Fi l e p b e h i n d , yo u
p ro ceed to Dahlet Q o r ro t b ay. H e re
you can see boathouses hewn in the
ro c k s u r fa ce . T h e s e b o at o r
Fertile fields
GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
fishermen’s houses still offer shelter
to fishing boats during sto r m s . A
s l i p way is used to lower the boat s
into the sea.
From Dahlet Q o r ro t one can catch a
glimpse of Ta ’ Sopu wat c htowe r.
This wat c htower stands nearly 400
fe e t or 130 metres above sea leve l ,
overlooking the formidable Mistra
Ro c ks with San Blas Bay to the we s t
and Dahlet Q o r ro t B ay and its inlets
to the east.
I t s s t rat e g i c l o c at i o n c l e a r l y
i n d i c at e s t h at t h e towe r wa s
co n s t r u cted at t h at p a rticular point
to watch for approaches on Gozo ’s
northeastern coast and the entrance
to the Comino channel. I t a l s o
enabled visual signalling betwe e n
other towers in Malta and Gozo.
During World War II the tower wa s
used as a wireless telegraph station,
which was dire ctly linked with its
co u nt e r p a rt in the U. K . , to t ra n s m i t
m e s s a ges to and from other Middle
East stations.
From Dahlet Q o r ro t , the route is
directed up the road towards Nadur.
When the road levels out you can
notice a side street that branches off
the main road to your left. This road
Prickly pears provide shelter to tomato plants
A farmer busily toiling in his field
Il-Buskett
10
leads you to the cultivated fields at Ta ’ G re j ge l
va l l ey. The fe rtile area surrounding Ta ’ G re j gel is a
vast stretch of land,which has long since been used
for agricultural purposes. Windmills dotting t h e
landscape give ample proof of the regular supply of
wat e r. The land is used all year round and cro p
ro t ation is pra ct i s e d . D i ffe re nt types of ve ge t a b l e s
and animal fodder are grown here.
Traditional agricultural techniques are gra d u a l l y
being re p l a ced by modern ones. Drip irrigat i o n
methods are taking over co nve ntional t e c h n i q u e s .
Some t raditional cane windbre a kers have been
re p l a ced by rows of cypress t rees t h at still offe r
p ro t e ction from the wind. An added adva nt a ge to
this is the fa ct t h at the roots of such t rees preve nt
soil from ero d i n g. Prickly pears are also giving way
to more modern plastic t e nts t h at shelter t h e
maturing tomato plants.
Savouring the surrounding countryside
– another way to unwind
Mediterranean blue:the crystal-
clear waters, a source of life and
enjoyment
11
GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
In 1695 this area became the private
shooting re s e rve of the Gra n d m a s t er
A l of d e Wi g n a co u rt. Multiple and
d i verse bird species and hare s
i n d u ced the Grandmaster to secure
the are a . Penalties for those caught
p o a c h i n g i n c l u d e d t h re e ye a r s
rowing on a galley if the culprit was
of common standing, a fine of 40
eww i e q i if he was of high standing
or a period of exile in the case of a
minor.
H e re you will notice t h at the ro u t e
l e a d s y o u u p h i l l , o f f e r i n g
spectacular views.
P ro ceeding stra i g ht o n , you will
a r r i ve closer to the village of Qala.
After walking a few metres along
this ro a d , you will soon reach a few
co nve rted farmhouses which are
mostly re nted out to upmarke t
tourists who opt for a self-c at e r i n g
holiday.
The Mediterranean thyme in flower
A traditional donkey-drawn cart12
The mysterious flower of the Friar’s Cowl
13Breathtaking views of Malta and Comino
GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
H e re , the deep blue Mediterra n e a n
Sea can once again be seen. H e re
a gain the rock surfa ce co n s i s t s of
u p p e r co ra l l i n e l i m e s to n e w i t h
n u m e ro u s d e e p f i s s u re s a n d
d e p ressions t h at re s u l t in deep soil
p o c ke t s . The typical habitat h e re is
t h at of a garigue with occ a s i o n a l
carob and olive trees.
Arriving once again at a Y- j u n ct i o n ,
the uphill road is to be taken. Along
this co a s t , one can find the re m a i n s
of an old redoubt that was raised by
the Knights of St . John in 1732.
H e re to o, one can find a few old
corbelled huts. Triq is-S i m a r, n ow in
the village of Qala, eve ntually fo r ks
i nto t wo. The road on the right
should be t a ken to pro ceed along
the route.
T h i s p a rt of t h e ro u t e offe r s
b re at htaking views of Comino with
i t s B l u e L a go o n . D u r i n g t h e
A ra gonese period, as well as t h at of
the Order of St. J o h n , Comino wa s
often at t a c ked by corsairs as it wa s
co n s i d e red to be the best h i d i n g
p l a ce for the Tu r ks . The Co m i n o
wat c htowe r, designed by Vi t to r i o
Ca s s a r, was built in 1618 under
G randmaster Wi g n a co u rt and is
p re s e nt l y b e i n g r e s to re d .
N owa d ays, only one family re s i d e s
on the island. In the to u r i s t s e a s o n ,
the number of people staying on
Comino is co n s i d e rably higher due
to the many Maltese and fo re i g n e r s
who flock to this enchanting island,
which also co ntains a to u r i s t
complex.
P ro ceeding along Triq is-S i m a r, w i t h
unobstructed views of Qala, you will
a r r i ve at the outskirts of the village
and enter Triq il-Wi l e g, which aga i n
b ranches off into t wo fo r ks . Ta k i n g
the left turning you will pro ceed to
Triq il-Mithna where you can admire
a re s to re d e i g ht e e nt h ce nt u ry
windmill t h at was still being used
for the grinding of grain and maize
until up to thirty years ago.
Triq il-Qala in its turn,leads to Pjazza
Repubblika, a square that is quaintly
protected by a raised statue of Saint
Joseph, the patron saint of Qala. Triq
il-Qala takes you back to Nadur.14
A pigeon loft
An 18th century windmill
A Girna (corbelled hut)
15
The Field Marigold
Waves at Mistra Rocks
Statue of St. Joseph
As you walk back to Nadur, you could chance upon
an elderly local farmer grazing his herd of sheep
and goats.
Keep walking stra i g ht back up the road until yo u
reach the niche of Our Lady of Ta ’ Pinu once aga i n
in Triq it-Tigrija. Retracing your steps you will walk
back to the Nadur village centre.
GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S
16
Facts about the route
• The route is suitable for hikes, horse rides and pedal bikes.
• Most of the route is accessible to small vehicles.
• If travelling by bus to the route starting point, you should check the local
bus timetable to ensure that this fits your own schedule.
• The local we ather fo re c a s t should be checked befo re setting off as t h e re
is hardly any shelter from adverse weather conditions along the route. A
raincoat can come in very handy in rainy conditions.
• As most of the walk is over open co u nt rys i d e , i t is advisable to carry a
packed lunch. It is possible to buy food at Nadur and Qala.
• A dire ction sign at Nadur village square indicates the route starting point.
This route is colour coded in re d . A number of smaller dire ction signs, m a d e
of wood and numerically marked in ascending ord e r, a re found along t h e
route to show the right d i re ct i o n , in the absence of clear landmarks .
• Public conveniences are available at Triq it-Tramuntana,Nadur.
• The walk may be bro ken down into smaller laps. O n ce Dahlet Q o r ro t i s
reached you may either walk back towa rds Nadur village square or
proceed as per full route.
• Some fields are marked with white blotches of paint and the letters RTO
i n d i c ate t h at the area is out of bounds for the visitor since it is privately ow n e d .
• B i rd t rapping and bird shooting are pra ctised in the co u nt rys i d e. T h e re
a re , h owever strict re g u l ations determining areas where such act i v i t i e s
a re permitted and times of year where no such activities are allowe d .
Note also t h at b i rd shooting is prohibited from 1.00pm onwa rds on
Sundays and public holidays throughout the year.
The outskirts of Qala village
Tips for the road
• Hikers are advised to follow the set route.
S h o rt cuts are to be avoided since many
fields are privately owned.
• Hikers should not climb over rubble walls
to avoid damaging them.
• H i kers should avoid co l l e cting wildlife
specimen including flowers or plants.
• H i kers are advised to t read care f u l l y
along the trails to avoid trampling on the
sparse vegetation.
• The t h rowing of any stones or other
o b j e cts into va l l eys or other fre s hwat e r
sites is strictly prohibited.
• Walking or cycling close to the cliff edges
is to be avoided.
• I t is advisable to fo l l ow this route in bro a d
d ay l i g ht , giving due allowa n ces for t i m e
allotted to inevitable sto p s, re s t i n g, t a k i n g
of photo g raphs and observing nat u re.
Useful telephone numbers
Emergency and rescue:112
Ambulance: 196
Police Station: 191
Telephone Enquiries:1182
Ministry for Gozo: 21 56 14 82
website: http://www.gozo.gov.mt
Malta Tourism Authority: 22 91 50 00
website: http://www.visitmalta.com
Gozo Tourism Association: 21 56 51 71
Nadur local council:21 55 80 80
website: http://www.gozo.com/nadur
Qala local council:21 55 25 55
website: http://www.qala.com.mt
Local farmers having a break
Other useful information
All rights re s e rve d . No part of t h i sp u b l i c ation may be re p ro d u ce d ,s o rted in a re t r i eval sys t e m , o rt ra n s m i t t e d , in any form or by anym e a n s, e l e ct ro n i c , m e c h a n i c a l ,p h o to co py i n g , re co rd i n g o ro t h e rw i s e , w i t h o u t t h e p r i o rwritten co n s e nt of the co py r i g hth o l d e r. D i re ct enquiries may befo rwa rded to the Ministry of Gozoor the Malta Tourism Authority.
Date of Publication:May 2002
Text Prepared by:Etienne Micallef, Marita Sultana.
Photos and Map by:Etienne Micallef
Ta’ Gurdan Walk
Passing through: Gharb - Wied il-Mielah
Ghasri Valley - Ta’Gurdan
Ta’ Pinu
Saltpan Walk
Passing through: Victoria - Sara Valley
Ghasri - Ghasri Valley
Reqqa Point - Xwejni
Lunzjata Valley Walk
Passing through: Victoria - Lunzjata Valley
Santa Lucija Hamlet
Ghajn Abdul
Other walks in the series
Ramla Bay Walk
Passing through: Nadur - Wied Bingemma
Ramla Bay - Ta’ Hamet
Price Lm1.00
Gozo Countryside Walks is a partnership project of the:
Ministry for Gozo, Ministry of Tourism,The Malta Tourism Authority and the Gozo Tourism Association
The project is being launched in 2002, the World TourismOrganisation’s International Year of Ecotourism.
Dahlet Qorrot Walk
Through this route, one will get a taste of the island’s rich history, traditions, nature and
folklore. Discover the boathouses hewn in the rock at Dahlet Qorrot Bay, observe
agricultural methods at Grejgel valley and enjoy the breathtaking views of the sister
islands of Comino and Malta.
Recommended