Seven Things You Should Know Before Joining a Hike in Malta

I learned it the hard way: Watch out before you walk in Malta. There are several walking clubs or groups in Malta. Some attract new people every week; some are made up of regulars. The one I went to one Sunday is called The Ramblers.

Now, the word ramblers-- from the verb to ramble--means to walk at a leisurely pace, looking at the countryside. I knew I was in trouble five minutes after the ramble started when people in their 80s had passed me by. Within ten minutes I had lost sight of the group. The next three hours were not only a torture for me to keep up, but also an embarrassment. I have flat feet and a bunion and while I can walk long distances, I am not a fast or competitive walker.

It turns out that this particular group of walkers in Malta walks very fast. Don't get me wrong; the members of the group I managed to speak to in between my gasping for breath were very nice. The truth is that I was in the wrong walking group. And the next several days of severe foot pain verified that fact.

To avoid foot pain, humiliation and possible disability, follow these tips to find the right walking or hiking group for you in Malta:

1. Make sure you are in good health and can do fast walking - 3 miles per hour or less for two or more hours. There is a break halfway along the route and you can have something to eat and drink that you supply yourself.

2. Don't go if you suffer from any chronic foot, knee, hip or back pain. If you do, you won't feel any better after your hike - and may feel significantly worse. Instead do a slower, easier walk that doesn't emphasize speed.

3. Wear the right kind of shoes - hiking boots or walking shoes that support your ankles. Malta's terrain consists of rocky hillsides, slippery stone paths and and dirt roads. Many of the streets are made of chipped cobblestone.

4. Bring along a companion who can be with you if you fall behind or need help. Make sure you have a fully-charged cell/mobile phone if case you fall ill, fall down or get lost from the others.

5. Pack a raincoat and/or umbrella even if it looks clear. Malta's weather can change quickly. Sudden downpours with flooding can happen, especially during the fall and winter when most hikes take place. And don't forget a hat or sunglasses. The Mediterranean sun can get very warm and bright even in the cooler months.

6. Read about the difficulty of the walk and take the rating of its level seriously. For example, directly from The Ramblers: : Hard - for the fit rambler in good physical shape to stick steep inclines and long stretches; Moderate - for the average rambler who can take 3 to 4 hour stretches of walking on uneven surfaces; Easy - for the occasional rambler who prefers leisurely strides at a slower pace.

7. Be prepared for competitive walking in some hiking clubs or events, even for those walks graded as easy or moderate.

Malta's walking and hiking clubs are a great way keep in shape during a vacation and also to meet locals and people from all over the world who like walking in places like Malta with spectacular views. Just do some research before you lace up your shoes and heed your own limitations to ensure a good and enjoyable walk.

Source:
The Ramblers Association of Malta

Ilene Springer lives and teaches EFL in Malta. She is the author of An-American-in-Malta.com.