TRAVEL. MALTA.

Where Cliffs are Reaching High Out of the Mediterranean and the Wind is Creating New Hairstyles

Hiking above the Dingli Cliffs

The wind was howling above the cliffs. My hair was dancing with the gusts creating every few seconds a new hairstyle. Swallows were flying in and out of their nests in the rocks and the sun was shining.

I had certainly read an article or two about Dingle and its rugged coastline. I know Adrienne Beaumont declared it as her favorite Irish village. But that destination was far from us. I knew we were facing a different coastline here in the Mediterranean. Sounding very similar, the Dingli Cliffs only made up a small point of interest on Google Maps but big enough for us to take a bus down there.

Passing villages in the countryside and countless traditional Maltese residential homes with colorful windows turned into balconies, we slowly got closer to our point of interest.

And since you can’t move across the island of Malta without stumbling across several signs of ancient history, we happened to drive along the Roman aqueduct that once was built to bring water from the said cliffs into the capital of Valetta.

Since we didn’t find accommodation in the villages near the cliffs, we opted for a place near the ancient capital of Mdina. Walking through the streets we passed more churches, fortified walls and other historical places.

We checked in for two nights as we decided to drop our bags and do some hikes along the coast without all our luggage. Walking through narrow alleyways I did feel like I was transported into the ancient Roman Empire.

We took again a bus (Malta’s public transport system is amazing) and got off in Dingli, right next to the cliffs.

"Located on Malta’s western coast, at 253 metres above sea-level the Dingli Cliffs are the highest part of the Island. The cliffs became a popular attraction for tourists visiting Malta, heading there for a peaceful walk with boasting views of Filfa and the Mediterranean sea." — Malta National Aquarium

Before seeing the cliffs themselves, I was taken away by the beauty of the landscape. The shining flowers blooming in spring moving in the coastal wind as one looks across the Mediterranean Sea. A sight that makes you smile from within.

A lonely road leading along the cliffs invited us to walk further. We tried to head down on the sides as the rocky slopes started lower but the area was written off as private property.

Countless gardens and small farmlands are stretching across the steep and rocky coastline above the cliffs. Olive and fig trees, onions and other vegetables are being grown right there.

On the edge of a cliff.

We walked along the rocky trails where we were allowed to and followed otherwise the dwindling tar road on the side.

Throughout this journey, the deep blue of the Mediterranean was stretching all the way to the horizon. Somewhere over there, far behind the clouds, the African continent begins. This is how far South the country of Malta is located.

And then we got to see the cliffs. Reaching high above the ocean. Waves were crashing onto the rocks as the wind was howling around us.

We found a short hiking trail leading out onto one of the points above the rocky coastline. Sitting there my hair was being blown in all directions. It’s not that I knew what hairstyle I had when I left the house in the morning but the winds at Dingli Cliffs certainly created what they wanted out of my hair.

As we didn’t have anything else planned for the day, we just followed our senses. Feeling happy and refreshed by the sea, we headed down the path leading to an unknown destination.

A cacophony of swallows was sounding above our heads. Swarms of these birds were flying in and out of the cliffs. Their squeaking was the only other sound to be heard next to the howling of the wind.

We descended down from the high plateau walking now in between small farms and gardens where locals were growing everything between fruits and vegetables.

We didn’t know where the road was leading us but knew as cars were on it we had to get somewhere. With no intention of walking the same path twice, we just kept on going.

After a long day on foot and a beautiful hike along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Maltese coastline, we finally hit the main road when we considered hitching a ride on a donkey cart.

Not really, but they happened to come past us as we were waiting to catch a bus back. I had no idea where this line was going and quickly googled the stops it made. With a bit of a detour we would be getting back to Medina and so we decided to take it.

The bus.

That evening we were a little red around the cheeks from both, the sun and the wind. But we were happy. With a gorgeous hike between spring flowers, the Dingli Cliffs, and the Mediterranean Sea, our views couldn’t have been any better.

Finishing off the day with some delicious local food and wine, we chose a Maltese Merlot, a meatball dish and pasta with some yummy sausage.

This was day 3 of our short trip to Malta. Click below to watch the full video of our adventure:

Or read the articles on the previous days:

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