Cirkewwa to Mellieha Bay - Malta 23 Sept 2017

Cirkewwa to Mellieha Bay
Malta
Distance 7.5km Climb 200m
Saturday 23 September 2017

Following on from our previous days walk, The Battlements of Valletta, we were looking to do another walk, Walk 6, from the booklet, Malta 10 Great Walks. The booklet gives a good description of routes and points out loads of interesting information. As I feel it would be wrong of me to copy all of the information from the booklet on my blog, I am only writing basic details of the walk we did. I would recommend this booklet to anyone interested in doing this walk.

We took the number 42 bus to Cirkewwa, down the road from the hotel. The bus was going in the opposite direction to our journey yesterday into Valletta. We started today's walk from the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal. Again I took loads of photos, too many to include here. While at Cirkewwa we took the opportunity to obtain details of ferry timings and the cost of fares to Gozo and Comino for a couple of other walks we were planning.  
Leaving the Ferry Terminal behind we walked back along the road the bus came in on, easterly.

Passing the Paradise Bay Hotel.

We turned right, south, up the road which is a gentle climb up hill leading towards Paradise Bay. We were passed by a lot of young people heading for the beach on the Bay.

Walking to the cliff edge I took a photo looking down on the Bay.

The road turns right, west, as it drops down to the Paradise Bay car park. This was where we were on our walk around the local area on Wednesday.

The sun was shinning bright as we walked down to Paradise Bay. I think we were a little overdressed. We thought a game of bingo was being played before we realised it was food order numbers being called out. Unfortunately not our idea of Paradise.

Leaving Paradise Bay, up the steps we moved down the track south.

Turning right, west, we continued on the track.

Leaving the track we continued west across the rough, stony ground towards the cliffs edge.

We were following a number of features mentioned in the booklet across the garrigue. Being a warm place, all along our walk we heard lizards scurrying about as we approached. In parts we passed patches of lovely smelling plants and flowers, being so warm and dry it is different to what is back home but beautiful in its own way.

We had a short rest, enjoying the views back down towards Cirkewwa, with Gozo and Comino behind.

We reached the steep stony track we walked down on Wednesday, only today we were walking up the stony track, south east.

At the top we continued along the track as the climb became less steep, turning south. This was an easier route than we took on Wednesday where we forged our own path across the rough and in places very rough garrigue.

We passed this, what looks like a broken carved stone. Butterflies and bees were hopping from flower to flower.

The radar mast came into view to our right.

I was fortunate to catch this photo, after a few attempts, of what I think is a Swallowtail Butterfly landing on a ground thistle.

Reaching the road junction I turned right, west, to walk to the radar station. Anne took a slow walk left. The radar station is such a high feature, we could see it from many places on our walks in this part of the island.

After a few photos I turned back, and headed east back along the road.

Walking the road, I soon caught up with Anne again. Looking south there were stunning views down the coast, caves and coves.

St Agatha's Tower (The Red Tower) soon came into view.

There were a lot of small birds in this area.

We had walked to St Agatha's Tower (The Red Tower) on Wednesday.

Walking down the road we passed more reminders of the Second World War a pill box and this.

Reaching the road we turned right passed the wayside shrine.

Crossed the road at the roundabout and walked down hill along the road to Mellieha Bay. There were views of Mellieha Town with its large church to our front.

Another brilliant walk from Malta 10 Great Walks.

We had covered 7.5 km with 200 m climb. Looking forward to more walking in Malta, if you would like a copy of the booklet please follow the attached link Malta 10 Great Walks. Now it was time for a swim.

More to follow


Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done in Malta or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to previous walk in Malta The Battlements of Valletta 22 Sept 2017.
Follow link to next walk in Malta The Citadel to Saltpans - Gozo 25 Sept 2017.