Date: Sunday, 9 December 2018
Time: 09:00-13:00
Location: Wied iż-Żurrieq
BirdLife Malta’s Events & Activities Committee will be organising this last nature walk for 2018 in the picturesque surroundings of Wied iż-Żurrieq on the southern coast of Malta.
The Blue Grotto
The circular walk will commence from the car park at Ħaġar Qim Temples which will be our meeting point. We will then proceed through Wied iż-Żurrieq visiting Torri Tal-Ħamrija Coastal Tower and finishing at Wied iż-Żurrieq Belvedere and the adjacent beautiful Blue Grotto. We will then backtrack to the starting point through country lanes.
Route attractions
Ħaġar Qim stands on a hilltop overlooking the sea and the islet of Fifla, not more than 2km southwest of the village of Qrendi. The surrounding landscape is typical Mediterranean garigue and spectacular in its starkness and isolation.
Torri Tal-Ħamrija (Ħamrija Tower) is a small watchtower which was completed in 1659 as the twelfth of the De Redin towers. The tower was restored by Heritage Malta and is now in good condition. The tower sits on a cliff on the southwestern coast of Malta, on the site of a medieval watch post. It has excellent views of the island of Filfla and is located a few hundred meters from the two Neolithic temple sites of Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim, although these had not yet been discovered when it was built.
Ħamrija Tower
Blue Grotto, one of Malta’s natural beauties, also faces the little deserted islet of Filfla. The site is extremely popular, attracting some 100,000 tourists per year, also for diving purposes. The location of this fascinating natural grotto combines with sunlight and the surrounding chain of caves to reflect the phosphorescent colours of the submerged flora and the deep dark shade of blue of the sea.
Wied iż-Żurrieq is a tiny harbour set in a narrow inlet in the cliffs and guarded by the watchtower. From Żurrieq Valley you have beautiful panoramic sea views over the beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea and over the small island Filfla. The entry to the water is from a small dock which in summer gets very busy with the traditional Luzzus taking tourists to the Blue Grotto. In fact boats depart from here to the Blue Grotto – the huge natural arch in the sea cliffs can be clearly observed some 400m to the east. The area is also very popular with divers as there is the Um El Faroud wreck and also offers excellent snorkeling and underwater photography opportunities with several caves.
Meeting point
Wied iż-Żurrieq
Our meeting point will be the car park of Ħaġar Qim Temples (Qrendi). We shall meet at 09:00 sharp to commence our walk. This is an easy/medium difficulty walk (approx. 4km) suitable for all ages. Appropriate footwear is recommended as the areas we will be visiting can be slippery if wet.
Participation and booking
Participation is open to all (BirdLife Malta members will be given priority). However, to participate in this event you have to book since space is limited to a maximum of 80 persons. Booking will be on a first come, first served basis.
Although participation is free, donations are welcome.
To book please send an email to [email protected]. If you are a BirdLife Malta member please make sure that in the email you quote your full name and membership number.