We start our walking tour with a visit to Buskett Woodlands (also known as Buskett Gardens), this 30-ha site is located in the fertile valley of “Wied il-Luq” in Siġġiewi and is one of the few woodland areas found in Malta.
The gardens contain broadleaved deciduous woodland, native coniferous woodland, with sclerophyllous garrigue and maquis shrubland, as well as groves of fruit trees. Many different trees and shrubs grow in the gardens, including numerous fruit-bearing trees. Renowned as one of the greenest areas in Malta, the gardens are at their best in the spring but also provide shade from the harsh mid-summer sun and offer a quiet place for a walk in the winter months.
We will walk along the valley within these woodlands where we will have the opportunity to appreciate a variety of trees found in the Mediterranean region, including the national tree of Malta (the Sandarac Gum tree) and some of the oldest trees found on the island, dating back at least 500 years.
We will be able to enjoy great views of the beautiful Verdala Palace; perched on a hilltop adjoining and overlooking Buskett Gardens, this palace was built by Grand Master Hughes de Verdalle in 1588 as a summer residence and hunting lodge. The building now serves as the President's summer residence. The palace is a landmark and not open to the public except for certain occasions.
The second part of our walk will take us to “Għar il-Kbir” (meaning the Big Cave), a complex of caves located between Buskett Gardens and Dingli Cliffs, dating thousands of years, it is commonly believed that several families of troglodytes inhabited these caves until 1835. The general structure of the cave system has eight caves spread across two levels.
Here we will also see the mysterious “Curt Ruts”, a complex network of tracks carved in the rock, the age and purpose of the tracks remain uncertain. In general, most archaeologists presume that the site developed about 2000 BC after new settlers came over from Sicily, starting the Bronze Age in Malta, but no archaeologist has provided a concrete theory regarding their purpose.
The tour proceeds to the Inquisitor’s Girgenti Palace, situated near the village of Siġġiewi, in the heart of the Maltese countryside, Girgenti Palace is a delightful mélange of architectural splendour and rustic charm. Dating back 400 years, it was originally used as a countryside lodge by Malta’s inquisitors, and today serves as the Prime Minister’s summer residence. Here we can see spectacular views of the surrounding woodland, naturally irrigated by a nearby spring.
From here we will proceed to Dingli Cliffs, located off the village of Dingli on Malta’s western coast; at around 253 meters above sea-level, these cliffs represent the highest point of the Maltese islands.
The cliffs propose a majestic sight; the views overlooking the terraced fields underneath and the panorama of the vast open seas, with the uninhabited small island of Filfla on its backdrop, are truly breath-taking! Given their impressive height, the cliffs can be considered as natural forts, since no attacker can approach the island from the west. Apart from the fantastic views of the sheer cliffs and clay slopes, this area features several endemic plants and typical Mediterranean flora, including wild orchids, aromatic shrubs, and the national plant of Malta (the Cheirolophus Crassifolius). Both the Buskett Woodlands and Dingli Cliffs are “Natura 2000” protected sites, which is a network of protected areas covering Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.
The final part of the tour continues along a trail parallel to the cliffs, offering fantastic views and a cool breeze throughout, perched on the edge of the cliffs, marking the highest point on the Maltese islands is a gorgeous tiny chapel built in 1646, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene.
A hawker selling local fruit, homemade products and Maltese coffee is also located here, and there are benches to enjoy the views from the highest cliffs of the Maltese islands.
This tour offers an easy walk throughout, where we can appreciate typical Maltese flora combined with archaeological and historical sites.