- Reading
- 3 min
- Access
- on foot
- Difficulty
- medium
Wied il-Ghasel is a valley in Mosta with Malta's oldest olive tree (c. 1,000 years). A walking trail follows stone walls and vegetable gardens. The name means "Valley of Honey".
The Valley of Honey
Wied il-Ghasel (Valley of Honey) is a picturesque valley running from Mosta towards the sea, one of the longest on Malta. The name comes from the bees that have inhabited rock niches in its slopes for centuries. The valley is a protected area (Natura 2000) with unique Mediterranean flora.
A thousand-year-old olive tree
The valley is home to an olive tree estimated at about 1,000 years old, one of the oldest in Malta. Its massive trunk, over 5 metres in circumference, speaks to centuries of history. Olives are a symbol of Malta, and the tradition of cultivating them dates to Phoenician times.
Walking between stone walls
A walking trail follows the rubble walls that have divided farmland for centuries. You pass vegetable gardens, citrus orchards, and small roadside chapels. This is Malta the tourist never sees, far from beaches and monuments.
Practical tip: Start from Mosta (near the Rotunda). About 5 km one way, easy. Bring water and a hat; there is no shade. In spring (March-May) the valley blooms with wildflowers, the best time to visit.
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Tip
Entry from the Mosta-Naxxar road. Spring (March-April) is absolutely the best time.
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