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+ 14

Marsalforn to Mgarr

Mountain Biking Trail

Easy
10.5 mi
1,737 ft
A ride almost all on tarmac, this is basically a good excuse to visit 2 of Gozo's best swimming spots!

Despite the lack of "real" mountain biking on this route, the scenery it takes you through is fantastic, and the notoriously bumpy roads on Gozo make this feel rougher than many off-road routes!

The route has a tough start - the climb up to Xaghra from Marsalforn is a hard one and it gets the early morning sun so you'll likely be sweating within minutes of saddling up! Upon reaching the edge of Xaghra, head towards the village centre and then branch off left and make the very steep descent down towards Ramla Bay. The descent is fun and scenic, but you'll be living on the brakes all the way!

Either take a stop at Ramla Bay, or continue riding and make a second climb - this time to the edge of Nadur. Go towards the village centre and then turn left and make the long descent down to Dahlet Qorrot - a truly epic bay which offers superb swimming and snorkelling.

Take a dip, grab an ice cream and lower your core temperature before retrospectively earning that ice cream and making the long climb up to Qala village. The journey over to Qala is wonderful, with the high road it follows across Gozo's interior having a desolate ambience all of its own.

On the far side of Qala descend down to Hondoq Bay - another beautiful swimming spot which, with its turquoise water and white sand, is what the Mediterranean is all about. Another swim and ice cream is recommended before you climb back up Qala and make the final descent of the day down to the bustling harbour of Mgarr. Written by Charlie Boscoe
Created By
Strava Routes

Route and Elevation

Segments

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Triq Marsalforn Climb0.63 mi269 ft8.0%
Church to mizbla0.52 mi259 ft9.3%
Ramla to nadur steep part0.25 mi154 ft11.4%
Wied Bingemma Downhill From Ramla side0.41 mi-135 ft-5.6%
Hondoq Discent 0.60 mi-279 ft-8.8%
Hondoq- Triq Il Kuncizzjoni up hill0.56 mi259 ft8.6%
Żewwieqa down XD0.65 mi-207 ft-6.0%