Steep ascending from lower to upper cliff

Around sixty people turned up for this rather challenging walk in good if somewhat windy weather. From the inauspicious meeting point right next to what must be one of Malta's most unsightly quarries a short dirt road was taken leading westwards past a small farmstead. From here we passed through some field tracks and then crossed a small steep dry valley until we reached the cliff edge. It was time for single file progress here since the path at times veers too closely to the edge. Once again ramblers heeded the call for full attention on this first part of the walk. Around forty minutes after we started, the sheer cliff face at Miger Ilma loomed above us - indeed a majestic and lonely spot - though today it was anything but lonely.

Miger Ilma cliffs viewed from Il-Kullana

 

Seaboard view of the magnificently sited olive grove
 with Fawwara Bronze Age site upper left.

Rdum Dikkiena

A short five minute stop was made here and then we started the steep ascent to reach the upper cliff where right on cue the amicable Joseph ( Zeppi ) Borg ( proprietor of the olive grove in the area ) appeared to greet the group and lead us to a point westward still called "Il-Kullana". From this point there are magnificent views of the Miger Ilma cliffs below to the southeast and Rdum Dikkiena to the northwest. A short fifteen-minute stop was made here.

Zeppi then led the group back through his magnificently sited olive grove to his small work station where an informal bread and olive oil tasting session was prepared for the group. Zeppi patiently explained the olive oil ( all organically grown ) producing process and was enthusiastic about answering any questions put to him.

Traffic Jam - Ramblers queue to cross a narrow point

This stop proved to be the longest with quite a few ramblers deciding to purchase the professionally packaged olive oil on offer.

From here we continued climbing to reach the Fawwara road where the walk back to our starting point was a lot easier.

Joseph Borg explains the olive oil making process

Total walking time: about 4 hours with generous stops
Group Leaders: Steven, Alex, and Romano.