Two Maltese best friends embarked on a unique and inspiring adventure - a five-day walk tracing the island's coastline.

Covering 141.2 kilometres and an elevation gain of 2,262 metres, 23-year-old Sarah Abela and Francesca Grillo's journey was not a race or a record attempt, but a personal challenge and a chance to experience Malta's natural beauty in a new way.

From Boxing Day to 30 December, Grillo and Abela, who both love to seize every opportunity to explore Malta's trails, began and ended their Malta Coastal Walk at Grillo's home in Kalkara, completing a loop around the island.

They encountered rain only on the first day, and thanks to Grillo's extra backpack cover, Abela's belongings remained dry.

Otherwise, the weather was mostly pleasant, they said, save for strong winds, especially near cliffs and areas close to the sea.

Last year, the duo had trekked the coastline of Gozo in a single day, which they deemed as their "test-run" before they decided to go for it.

"That is probably how it started. It has also always been my dream to walk the entire coast of Malta," Grillo said. In fact, it was her idea, and the only friend she could think of who would join her was Abela.

For the pair, the trek was not just about completing a physical challenge; it was a chance to better understand their home and discover hidden corners of Malta.

Despite their busy schedules with work and school, Abela and Grillo managed to schedule their trek for the end of the year.

In preparation for their adventure, they went on shorter weekend walks along parts of the coastline and also met to list the items they would need for the trip.

Grillo bought her walking shoes just two days before setting off, and the pair decided not to test their newly-purchased tents ahead of time either, figuring it would be simple enough.

"It was a simple plan. There is something simple and enjoyable to go out there on a walk, with nothing, but a tent," Grillo said.

They carried heavy backpacks, equipped with only the essentials - tents, sleeping bags and minimal supplies - clothes, jackets, a few snacks, water and a torch.

The trek started from Kalkara, with the first leg taking them to Żurrieq, a 34.5km stretch.

By the end of the day, Grillo's back felt sore from carrying her heavy pack.

The second day saw them navigating downhill slopes from Dingli to Baħrija, covering a distance of 21.6km, where Abela's feet even began to swell and blister, and exhaustion set in. From Bahrija to Marfa, the pair covered 20.2km.

Despite the challenges, they pushed on, laughing through their struggles. Abela said that at one point, she thought her legs were going to give out.

The toughest part of the trek came between Gnejna and Għajn Tuffieħa, where rocky and clay slopes and terrain tested their endurance.

"The backpacks were so heavy that we had to be careful not to topple backward," Grillo said.

But as they moved northward through Majjistral Park and Popeye Village, the path became smoother, offering breathtaking scenic views that rejuvenated their spirits.

Throughout the trek, support from each other, as well as from friends and strangers, really made a difference, the pair said.

Some friends joined them for meals, and others brought supplies they needed. One kind stranger even let them camp in his sheltered field and offered water.

As they posted their journey on social media, many followers also cheered them on, although some expressed concern and suggested they head home if it became too difficult.

After walking to St Paul's Bay on the penultimate day, the two stopped for dinner, where a couple of friends and family joined.

The duo suddenly got a boost of energy, and continued their walk to Bahar ic-Caghaq, walking the Coast Road at night, effectively completing another segment before their last day, covering 27.3km.

The final day was one of mixed emotions. Starting in Bahar ic-Caghaq, the pair walked through Sliema and Valletta, before navigating the Three Cities and returning to Kalkara, covering a distance of 28.9km.

The last leg proved exhausting, as they trudged past busy roads and urban sprawl.

"By some miracle, we made it," Abela said. They arrived at Grillo's house at 7pm on 30 December. Grillo went home to rest, while Sarah hurried off to a Secret Santa event.

Looking back, the friends felt a profound sense of accomplishment. The paths of the trek were generally always clear, and while the northern part of the island proved more challenging due to its unfamiliarity, the girls felt more confident on the first and the last days, having walked the surrounding areas countless of times before.

"We didn't spend more than 30 minutes in silence," Abela also added. "Apparently, I wasn't fed up with her, even after five days," Abela joked, adding that the very next day, she met up with Grillo.

Their favourite parts of their walk were in the serene spots of Imġiebah and Fomm ir-Riħ. As Grillo put it, "we learned so much about Malta and ourselves. It was very fun, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again".

Grillo and Abela encouraged others to take on similar challenges, starting out with smaller treks like walking the coastline of Comino or Gozo.

"It is important to have the right support system - someone with a positive mindset who genuinely wants to do it," Grillo advised, also suggesting reaching out to them for advice on planning and preparation.

"Now that we have done it, so many people have told us they would like to try it too," she said.

While the trek was demanding, it left Grillo eager for more.

"I realised I love these challenges," she said, adding that she hopes to take on even more difficult treks abroad.

Laughing, Sarah recalled, "While we were walking, Fran said, 'why don't we walk Sicily's coastline next?' I told her, 'Let's get through this one first'."