As of 2023, several established walking organisations have decided to affiliate themselves with The Ramblers’ Association of Malta. By making common cause with us they support our work in favour of the countryside and rights of way, which benefits all walkers.
Below you can find some details about the walking organisations which have affiliated with us so far.
Leisure Ventures was set up by Bernard Schranz in the early 90’s offering team building activities to the corporate sector and the general public. Since then the organisation has focused mainly on trekking as a leisure and educational activity where Bernard’s love for nature and extensive knowledge of the local countryside are shared with the participants. They also organise overseas trips from time to time. Bernard’s experience stems from early childhood, initiated in his Scouting days and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme times. He has trekked broadly in Malta as well as practiced the hobby in Europe, North America, Australia and Africa and the Middle East. In 1986, Bernard established a national record in the Round Malta non-Stop walk around perimeter (non tarmaced roads) of Malta, covering the distance in 25hours 48mins, a ratified record that remains unbroken to this day.
XirCammini is a voluntary organisation founded in 2018, with an emphasis on furthering interest in heritage-faith walks. It organises close to 100 walks per year, as well as overseas trekking experiences such as visiting the Caminos in Spain, Italy, UK, Ireland and elsewhere in Europe. Xir Camini’s most recent claim to fame is establishing the Camino Maltes de Santiago de Compostela, one of the longest Caminos de Santiago, with a distance of 3,600km. XirCammini is currently led by its President James Portelli and six other board members.
Trekking Malta was founded by Stanley Borg and a number of other enthusiasts in the year 2000, with the goal of organising regular outdoor trekking events. The group had its roots in a close-knit group centered around camping activities, but gradually became open to all persons wishing to spend the odd weekend in the outdoors. Trekking Malta’s walking season starts in October and ends in May, with treks held on Saturdays.
Trail Makers is a walking group formed on the 1st October 2017 by Giovanni Camilleri. The group organizes bouldering sessions on Saturdays and trekking sessions on Sundays all year round. A signature activity of the group is its yearly fundraiser ‘Round Malta’ event, which consists of a 135km non-stop trek around the island.
The Malta Geographical Society is a volountary organisation founded in 1943, during war time, and is the oldest walking group in Maltese Islands. Its founding members had the foresight to promote the culture of geography, environment and cultural appreciation through walks, mainly in the countryside, as well as holding talks and showing films.
The walking season of the society runs from October to May. It offers 3 walks per month on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, and an evening walk per month in summer. It organises a number of social events for its members as well as walking tours in Sicily with an annual trip to Puglia.
The Society is currently led by its chairperson is Maura Marlow and nine other volounteers. It believes everyone should be able to enjoy what the Maltese Islands have to offer, thus promoting physical and mental well-being.