Grab a coffee, and wander with us as we explore the scenic Xemxija Heritage Trail in Malta…
On our latest ISL’s office trek, we set off along Malta’s hidden gem: the Xemxija Heritage Trail, where nature and history mingle on every stone and in every hollow. Over the course of a few hours, on a hot summer morning, our usual office banter blended with genuine awe as we uncovered stories etched into Malta’s rock and soil.
Perched along the north coast of Malta, the Xemxija Heritage Trail isn’t your typical hiking path. It offers a “living museum”. The trail is moderate – perfect for a small team looking to balance fresh air, a gentle workout, and steady cultural immersion. Although easy on the feet, it’s rich in surprises: weathered rock carvings, hidden caves, and centuries-old structures waiting just off the beaten track.
📍 Xemxija Heritage Trail, Northern Malta
🐝 The Ancient Apiary
Our first memorable stop: a Punic‑Roman apiary, painstakingly restored in 1996. These low stone rooms, over 2,000 years old, once housed bees for honey production. It surprised many of us to learn how sophisticated ancient beekeeping actually was.
These apiaries remind you just how deeply agriculture and craftsmanship were entwined in everyday ancient Mediterranean life.
🌳 “Ix-Xwejha” – The Centuries‑Old Carob Tree
Further along we lingered beneath a majestic carob tree – affectionately called “xwejha” – believed to be over a thousand years old.
Carob trees have always been hardy survivors; their pods once fed livestock, and interestingly, were even used as units of measurement: “carats”, back in ancient times.
🏚️ Cave Dwellings: Ingenious, Intimate, Introspective
We then stepped into rugged cave dwellings carved into the limestone. One cave was neatly sectioned into areas for parents, children, and animals, hinting at a surprisingly organised domestic life in Punic times. Above, a rock‑cut channel collected rainwater, channelling it through ducts into a depression that doubled as a well.
Inside, a stone “kenur”: an ancient cooker, stood by the hearth. The caves also played host to burials and, during WWII, served as impromptu shelters during raids.
They didn’t just carve out a cave – they engineered survival and continuity.
🛁 Roman Baths: Wellness behind the Wild
Next, we found a snippet of a Roman bath. Though modest in scale, it’s easy to imagine locals congregating here for cleansing, socialising, and maybe, why not – a light philosophical chat.
Roman baths often used subterranean heating systems called ‘hypocausts’. Imagine ancient Malta having its own wellness centre 😊 .
⚰️ Punic Tombs & Temple: Eternal Symbols
Rock-cut tombs and a small Punic temple remind us of Malta’s importance as a crossroads in the Mediterranean. These carvings echo with old rituals, reverence for ancestors, and belief in the afterlife.
Just knowing someone paused here centuries ago to honour their dead sends a chill of connection across the ages.
🛤️ The Cart Ruts: Mystery Tracks of Antiquity
Every few meters, we came across parallel grooves etched into bedrock – the enigmatic cart ruts. Their purpose? Still debated. Some say they guided ancient sleds or plank-wheeled carts; others suggest ritual pathways or even astronomical markers.
Maybe they’re ancient taxi lanes? 🤪
Our Team Experience
The experience came alive through the laughter of children, the excited waggled tail of a dog who trotted happily with us, and the shared wonder of colleagues swapping favourite facts, stories, and quiet moments of reflection amid nature’s calm.
In just a couple of hours, we didn’t only walk a trail. We found ourselves emotionally and mentally connected to those who once lived in these caves, carved these tombs, and tended these lands. We walked away with a deeper appreciation for our country: Malta offers more than beaches and festas. Woven into its cliffs and valleys are stories waiting to be rediscovered.
If you ever plan a trek with your own team, on your own, or with your loved ones consider a place like this – where every footprint has a story, and every stone has a memory waiting to share.