Xemxija Heritage Trail
Xemxija Heritage Trail
4.5
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles198 reviews
Excellent
116
Very good
67
Average
13
Poor
2
Terrible
0

Lachezar K
Sofia, Bulgaria13 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Very interesting place to visit - an old build antic way with some historic places from the Rome empire times. It is next to my hotel Porto Azuro on the hill above. It's about 5-6 km long with remaining from ancient temples and houses (just bases) and very nice view to St. Paul's bay.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

invicta10
Hastings, UK60 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2016 • Couples
Malta is replete with history and pre-history but seldom can you find so much and so many examples in one moderate walk. The Xemxija Heritage Trail takes in a Roman Road, a medieval Pilgrim's route, ancient cliff dwellings and ancient apiaries, Punic tombs, a fine example of Malta's famous prehistoric cart ruts and even a WW2 pillbox disguised as a farm building. Oh, and the remains of a Roman bath house if you are game for the scramble down some rough stone steps adjacent to the pillbox.
The terrain is in some places quite challenging and perhaps the walk is best not attempted in the heat of a Maltese summer day but it is delightful in the spring or autumn with some attractive distant views to add variety to the sights on offer.
You begin the walk by walking up the steepish Triq ir-Ridott near Sammy's Tavern off Telget ix - Xemxija. In front of the Porto Azzuro hotel turn 90 degrees right and go on about 100 metres further and the heritage trail sign is visible. This is the start of the trail and the Roman road. From this point on there are way markers and interpretive plaques at fairly regular intervals to help you find your way and the trail ends at a set of cart ruts in an open space surrounded on 3 sides by modern apartments. From here it is possible to work your way back down to the Xemxija waterside or (easier) retrace your steps back along the trail. Doing this you will probably notice some things you missed on the way up. Back on the waterside at Telget ix - Xemxija there are numerous places to recover from your exertions with a drink or a snack.
There is a trail leaflet apparently but you don't really need it as the interpretive panels tell you pretty much all you need to know. Some of the things to see require you to duck into low openings of caves and suchlike so mind your head. For those of maturer years a walking pole is probably a helpful aid - and don't forget your water bottle in hot weather.
Written March 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lupabianca
Matlock, UK240 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Get off the bus at Xemxija stop "Roti" and follow the brown signs for the "Roman Road" up the hill. This first part is quite steep but it's not far and is the hardest part of the walk. You're heading into open countryside - no shops - so take water, and food if you want to stop and picnic. Once you are up the hill there are lovely views across the countryside and interesting flora and fauna. Of note is the 1,000 year old carob tree - the oldest on the islands.
We found the trail for the most part fairly well signed and easy to follow, but we did consult Google maps a couple of times later on in the walk where tracks intersected. As an added bonus to a pleasant walk there are lots of historic sites en route, with information boards. Take the chance to visit Roman apiaries, Neolithic tombs and a farmer's rustic hut; and cave dwellings which were used from Punic times to the 1930s.
We did find some of the lower, wetter parts of the trail muddy - churned up by off-road bikers. Generally easy walking - walking shoes recommended as the tracks are stony and uneven.
A really enjoyable walk.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen C
chessington25 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
2 adults & 2 kids (10 & 12). We tackled this trail without a map (we couldn't find one anywhere) so we used previous Tripadvisor comments to guide us through which were essential - thank you everyone! We got off the bus from Buggiba at Roti and the trail started 10 yards further on from there. The first part was well signposted (make sure you look behind the Carob tree as well) but once we got to the crossroads and turned right it was a bit random finding things, and when we turned left at the crossroads we only saw the cobbled house (and we nearly gave up on it as it was quite a way in). We then went straight on at the crossroads and saw the military post and Roman baths. We were doing the trail for just under 1.5 hours but we weren't racing along and were enjoying the scenery and eating picnic on the way. This isn't a slick National Trust trail and there are no facilities en route so take water with you, but we all enjoyed the randomness of it all and the chance to look at things without being led by guides. We all learnt something about the history of Malta and it was all free. Once the trail had finished we walked back to the bus top and turned right and went to the cafe on the corner a few yards away for a well-earned drink and snack. Cafe food was delicious and reasonably priced.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dvec
Calgary, Canada14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018 • Family
This is one of Malta's best kept secrets as it is not advertised as other points of interest are. An excellent booklet containing a site map and explanation are available from St Paul's Local Council or from the Travel information centre in Bugibba. This booklet is essential.
To find the walk take the 221 bus in Bugibba and get off at Roti. Only a small sign, a few yards back, identify the walk as the "Roman Trail". From there you walk up the street, turn right at the end of the street (a Hotel is located there). Another 70 feet, up the hill, brings you to the beginning of the trail. Since this trail has been worked on by volunteers the direction are difficult with out the booklet map.
On the first part of the walk will see; the Roman road, Rubble walls, a Megalith rock, a Cave Galley, Apiaries, a 1000 year old Carob Tree, and a late Bronze age cave for Burials.
From here the treasure hunt begins. Continue until you find a path leading across the main road. If you turn left you will find a Neolithic Temple dating back to 2,800 BC and a Corbelled Hut. If you turn right at the intersection you will find a Punic Tomb, a Farmers Hut, aTroglodyte Cave and Granary Wells.
If you go straight from the intersection you must turn right at the first opportunity. You will see a WW Two Defence Post. Walk in that direction. Just past the defence Post a quick left takes you to the Roman Baths. if you turn right at the defence Post you will find Cart Ruts (parallel groves) cut in the rock.
I believe the "hunt" is worth the effort. The is no risky aspect to this walk. Hopefully the signage will be better for you than it was for me. Good luck and enjoy
Written November 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rob B
York, UK18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2016 • Couples
Not really an attraction... It is an exercising walk up over a Roman Road to a Roman Temple ( remains of ), two large bronze age caves containing lots of beehives, a Bronze age village( remains), followed by a Roman Bath House in the cliffs. All in the space of perhaps 1.5 miles. There is a brochure to let you what is there and where you can find it. A great walk with great views of the Mistra Valley and the sea beyond, from the hilltop.
Written April 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CaoimhinK
Northern Ireland, UK126 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2015 • Couples
Found out about this marvellous place by accident. The leaflet guide is not the easiest to follow but with some perseverance, you can find all the places on it.

The path is initially quite a steep and on uneven ground, unsuitable for anyone with mobility difficulties, but worth it to see the Pre-historic, Roman & Punic remains. There is a wonderful Roman Apiary built into the rocks, Neolithic tombs, caves, pits & cart ruts. Also a lovely view from the top of the surrounding area, including one of the BirdLife Malta Reserves.

The Roman Baths are accessed by crossing a road, following a path and then climbing down some steps that are also quite steep.

The route is also something of a wildlife haven, with plenty of butterflies, including swallowtail, and dragonflies. It is also a good place to see birdlife, but beware of the Hunters; they were shooting quite close to were we were walking.

We usually walk this trail on each of our visits to Malta, you just never know what to expect.
Written May 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David W
266 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
This is signposted from the main coast road through Xemxija (from St Pauls Bay to the ferry port at Cirkewwa) You can catch the X1 bus and get off by the brown sign, then follow the arrows. There are a number of interesting things to see, my favourite was the Roman Road. You can also get right up to a few of the old stone 'huts' which I kept seeing across the island. There are laminated sheets dotted around the route which explain what you are seeing. The fascinating thing for me was when the Roman Road bends around going up a steep incline, allowing two laden carts to pass - yes, a Roman Road which is NOT straight! For this fact alone it is worth persevering. There are some great views during the trek - why not take a moment to ponder that ancient peoples trod this very route.

Tip - This attraction is not suitable for persons of limited mobility. The terrain is quite rough and undulating. Take water as there are no shops on the trail.
Written December 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ninebobten
Carlisle, UK28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017
Well worth a visit to this Pre - Roman site,it is in Xemxija,if you walk behind the Porto del Sol hotel & along Triq ir-Ridott you will see the Heritage Trail sign,look for cairns that indicate the way to the various sites,you can get a book on the trail free at the Tourist Information at Bugibba & not as some guide books say at the T.I.C. at Mellieha.If you look to the West you can see a sandy trail which eventuality leads you to the West coast & is only just over 3 miles away,so if you are feeling energetic you can have the place to yourself,maybe meeting a farmer along the way & seeing beautiful scenery,there are no cafes or restaurants along the way,so a packed lunch is a good idea.
Written March 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cat C
Bordeaux, France46 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Friends
A nice walk to do all along this roman road. Very interesting with information all along the major points of interest (caves, farmhouse, tombs...) And at the top a beautiful view of St Paul's Bay
Written May 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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