The saw
Munxar is an old Maltese word for a saw. Recorded here by the sixteenth century, it probably reflects the headland's sharp, saw-like form.
Malta · Hiking
The Southern Trail:
The Southern Trail:
From Munxar to Ħofriet
A coast carved open
Munxar to Ħofriet is less about distance than what the sea has done to the limestone.
Malta's south-east coast sits lower than the high western cliffs. Softer, paler rock has been cut into ledges, arches, platforms and rounded coves.
From St Thomas Bay, follow the coast past Munxar Window and Munxar Point to St Peter's Pool, then through Ħofra ż-Żgħira and Ras il-Fenek to Ħofra l-Kbira.
The appeal is the progression: an isolated arch becomes a pale cliff line, open sea gives way to sheltered inlets, and the trail ends at two coves scooped into the coast.
Hike profile
- Finish
- Ħofra l-Kbira · Delimara
- Distance
- Approx. 3-4 km
- Time
- 1.5-2 hours with stops
- Difficulty
- Moderate · exposed in places
- Terrain
- Limestone · dirt trail · garigue · loose rock
- Elevation
- Low rolling coast · modest cumulative gain
- Best season
- Autumn to spring · calm, dry days
Place names
The landscape is written into the names
Saw-like headlands, rabbit points, natural pools and holes - the names echo the shape of the coast.
Literally, 'the holes'
Ħofriet, the plural of ħofra - a hole or pit - names the two rounded coves: Il-Ħofra l-Kbira, the big cove, and Il-Ħofra ż-Żgħira, the small cove.
Rabbit Point
Ras il-Fenek literally means 'Rabbit Point' - the narrow headland separating the two Ħofriet.
A natural pool in the limestone
Officially Peter's Pool, or Il-Bajja ta' Pietru, its rounded sheltered basin and flat limestone shelves explain the “Pool”. The origin of “Peter” is less certain.
The route
From one window to two coves
The coast is easy to read, but the path is informal. Follow the landmarks and stay back from unstable edges.
St Thomas Bay → Munxar Window → Ħofriet → BackSt Thomas Bay → Munxar Window → Ħofriet → Back
South-east coast · southbound
01
StartSt Thomas Bay
02
WindowMunxar Window
03
CoastSt Peter's Pool
04
CoveĦofra ż-Żgħira
05
HeadlandRas il-Fenek
06
FinishĦofra l-Kbira
Ease into the coast
From St Thomas Bay, follow the shoreline to Il-Munxar. The window is the first major landmark as the coast becomes more exposed.
Follow the pale headland
Continue around Munxar Point over low garigue, using the cliff line as your guide.
The coast starts folding inward
St Peter's Pool breaks the open shoreline before rounded bays lead into Ħofra ż-Żgħira.
Finish between the two coves
Cross Ras il-Fenek between the Ħofriet and finish at Ħofra l-Kbira, where the coast feels more enclosed than at the start.
Once you reach Ħofra l-Kbira
Retrace the coast, or keep the hike linear and arrange your return from Delimara.
Practical guide
Plan for exposure, not elevation
The route stays low, but shade is scarce and some sections pass actively eroding cliff edges.
Choose a topic
Getting there
Plan your return.
Linear route
- Start at St Thomas Bay and head towards Munxar Window.
- Finish at Ħofra l-Kbira near Delimara.
- Arrange a lift or taxi, or retrace the route.
Trail conditions
The edge matters more than the gradient.
Check wind
- Expect loose limestone, rough ground and informal paths.
- Stay well back from fresh cracks, undercut edges and cliff lips.
- Avoid exposed sections in strong onshore winds or low visibility.
- Do not follow faint tracks down steep coastal faces.
This coast is actively eroding - stay off freshly fractured edges.
When to go
Cool, clear and calm is best.
Autumn → spring
- October to April is most comfortable.
- In warmer months, start early or go late - there is almost no shade.
- Choose a calm day for cliff-top viewpoints.
- Leave enough daylight if you plan to extend around Delimara.
What to bring
Simple kit, but little shade.
Travel light
- Grippy trail or hiking shoes.
- Water, hat and sun protection.
- Offline map or downloaded GPX.
- Swimwear if conditions are suitable and you plan a cove stop.
Photos
Windows, white cliffs and the Ħofriet
From open Munxar to the enclosed Ħofriet, the coast keeps changing character.
My experience
The window gets the photo. The coves make the hike.
I like how quickly this coast changes while keeping the same geological story. Munxar Window is the obvious landmark, followed by pale cliffs, Munxar Point and St Peter's Pool before the shore folds into the more enclosed Ħofriet. Walking southbound lets that sequence build naturally, with Ħofra l-Kbira feeling like a proper finish.
Route context & further reading
Malta's geological survey explains the limestone and erosion, while the Munxar Window reference adds landmark context.