Il-Ħarruba Xwejħa — Attraction in Saint Paul's Bay

What I love about Malta is that through simply walking occasionally you stumble upon little gems along the way - places of interest, stunning views. Having just visited Simar Nature Reserve I decided to walk to Mellieha via the countryside.

I climbed up Xemxija Hill along a stone rubble lined country lane way. There were a group of foreigners and locals clearing the path. I asked them what they were doing and was pleasantly informed that they were maintaining the area so that it isn’t taken over by developers and that an old man used to maintain this area and had now died.

I was surprised to find out that the track I was walking on was a 2000 year old Roman Road. Half way up the hill there is a grand old Carob tree, reputedly the oldest on the island at 1000 years old. On a plaque there is a little poem dedicated to the tree in English and Maltese. It is a beautiful tree with a trunk circumference of over 7 metres. If you come at the right season you will see it in bloom and if you look carefully you will see some large rare fungus at its roots.

Nearby are some ancient rock cut apiaries and caves. A beautiful find along this ancient road. Very impressed. The walk up to Mellieha goes through some beautiful countryside.

Another name for the Roman road was the “The Pilgrim’s Way”. It is an ancient route that took pilgrims to Our Lady’s sanctuary in Mellieha in fulfillment of a vow (info from sign), some of them carrying chains. There are crosses etched in a rock at the top of the hill left by pilgrims who had struggled up to the top...

Here in 2017,a great place to escape the noise and traffic.Run by volunteers from the ex pat community,a great place to explore and discover a place off the tourist trail.I came here to escape the constant noise of traffic on a Sunday and found something really nice.No facilities,just a walking trail and utterly unpretentious.The walk isn't steep but is on a slope.Fine with a baby buggy,impossible with a wheelchair.The pathway is shale,stones and soil so although you won't need hiking boots,i couldn't recommend flip flops.Don't forget food and drink,there's no shops.Enjoy the peace and quiet,oh by the way, there was no admission fee when i was there.I've read on one of the reviews that the guy who made this area his lifes work has died.I met him and his volunteers in 2017.Rest in peace Harry.Your legacy lives on.Your volunteers are still keeping the...

This is a sacred spot, and it should be treated with utmost respect. The area, which is very much spiritual in nature, is oozing culture and history. Great place to spend some time in peace and quiet.

The old carob tree is testimony to the Maltese expression, "għandu żmien daqs ħarruba", and/or, "xiħ daqs ħarruba", which can be loosely translated to, "as old as a...