Malta Off the Beaten Trail is a series of articles about the less accessible areas of the island for which a sturdy pair of walking shoes and a degree of physical fitness is usually necessary.
Il-Karraba is the name given to the the narrow strip of blue clay slopes that separate two bays on the western coastline of Malta: Ghajn Tuffieha (commonly called Riviera Bay) and Gnejna. The easiest way to reach il-Karraba is from Ghajn Tuffieha bay by taking the path that runs parallel to the beach and is sheltered by African tamarisk trees.
It is an uphill walk to il-Karraba, rather strenuous in some places, but the view gets better the higher you climb. Ghajn Tuffieha is easily the most picturesque bay in Malta, with turquoise water lapping gently (on days when the north-west wind does not blow) against golden-red sand. In the sheltered areas, before the slope starts to rise, the terrain is covered in varying shades of green during the winter and early spring months. The clay traps moisture from rain water and is able to support a startling array of wild flowers and small trees and shrubs.
The vegetation stops just short of the top of the slope as it’s more exposed to the elements up here (about 35 metres above sea level) and any trapped water evaporates quickly, leaving a bare landscape of parched blue-grey clay, topped at its narrowest point by what looks like a top-heavy hat of hard coralline limestone.
The view is rather breath-taking from this vantage point. A little other-worldly, alien, almost – a landscape that wouldn’t look out of place on Mars. Until your eyes are drawn to the hundred shades of blue that stretch out like an oil-painting as far as the eye can see. This place is truly worth the climb. Il-Karraba is one of those few places in Malta that make you feel like you can stand on the tip of your toes, reach out as high as you can and touch the edge of Heaven.
Location: Il-Karraba, March 2018
What a gorgeous landscape ! I only could see it flying over it I am not good in climbing anymore,or never was !
ReplyDeleteWhat a GORGEOUS SPOT you live in!How big is the island?
ReplyDeleteHave you ever sailed around it?DO people do that?
OH that water is so clear and inviting!!!
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Loree - this is simply breathtaking. Your pictures are so beautiful. You certainly shared a piece of heaven in this post friend. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place, your photos make it feel a place to visit.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a lovely walk, Loree! Malta is on my list of places to visit - one of these days! Those barren cliff tops have an otherworldly look about them and the sea is gorgeous. I wonder, is it fished out like parts of the Eastern Mediterranean? It's a peculiar sensation to swim around Greece in water without sea life in it. Around the coast of Australia, there's always something in the water to see (or swim away from!).
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Because of you, Malta is definitely on my list! I'm getting more excited to see places around the world you need to hike to! (Now that I'm doing more hiking!) Plus, after dealing with a lot crowds on my last trip and finding great food and art in tiny towns ...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this spot is absolutely gorgeous! Was it warm?