Climbing the Mediterranean Steps to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar

Climbing the Mediterranean (Med) Steps is one of the best ways to reach the top of the Rock of Gibraltar and is a literal highlight of any visit to Gibraltar. Where else will you get a spectacular view of three countries (Gibraltar itself, Spain, and Morocco) and two bodies of water (the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean)?

It’s not easy but it’s certainly worth the effort and is infinitely more satisfying than taking the cable car or a taxi tour.

Where are the Med Steps?

The Med Steps start at the southern end of Gibraltar at Jews’ Gate (near the Jewish Cemetery and the Pillars of Hercules monument) and end near O’Hara’s Battery at the top of the Rock.

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How do you get to the Med Steps?

By car

If you’re driving into Gibraltar (not something I’d generally recommend) you can park your car at the Grand Parade car park next to the Cable Car Station and the entrance to the Alameda Botanical Gardens and then go the rest of the way on foot.

By bus

There are no buses which go directly to the Med Steps, but the GI-2 bus to Europa Point has stops close to the start. The Garrison Gym stop near Windmill Hill Road is probably the best stop to choose.

On foot

If you’re walking, head up Main Street until you reach the Grand Parade car park. From there, walk along Europa Road and past the Rock Hotel (following the signs to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve). The quickest way is to then turn on to Engineer Road and keep going until you reach the Pillars of Hercules.

Upper Rock Nature Reserve Tickets

Before you can start to climb the Med Steps you’ll need to buy a ticket at the ticket office on Windmill Hill Road, in front of the Pillars of Hercules (unless you’re a Gibraltar resident in which case it’s free).

A ticket gives you access to all the attractions of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve and costs £18 for adults and £12 for children (ages 3 to 11). Children under 3 can go free, but climbing the Med Steps with a small child is probably not a great idea. Payment is by card only. Prices are correct as of January 2024.

The Upper Rock Nature Reserve attractions included in the ticket price are:
– Apes’ Den
– City Under Siege Exhibition
– Great Siege Tunnels
– Med Steps
– Military Heritage Centre
– Moorish Castle
– O’Hara’s Battery (closed for renovations as of August 2022)
– Skywalk
– St Michael’s Cave
– Windsor Suspension Bridge
– World War II Tunnels

There used to be a special walker’s ticket which was a nominal amount (I think the first time I climbed the Med Steps in 2017 it was only 50p) and meant that you could access the Med Steps but not any of the other attractions. It’s a shame that this has been discontinued as I used to climb the Med Steps frequently but, at £18 a time, isn’t something I could afford to do now particularly as I’ve visited all the attractions several times over the years.

Once you’ve purchased your ticket you’re good to go. There are some toilets next to the Ticket Office so, if you need to go, now is the time.

Climbing the Med Steps

The start of the Med Steps is clearly signposted opposite the ticket office up a flight of concrete steps next to the building which is home to the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society.

Walk past the Tree of Hope, a new addition since February 2022, and then turn right at the junction. 

The walk starts easily enough along a narrow rocky path along the side of the Rock with the Strait of Gibraltar to the right, and even has a downward section (the calm before the storm) before the first real uphill steps appear – this is where the hard work begins!!

Some of the steps are man-made while others are hewn out of the rock. I only have short legs, so I was grateful for the rope ‘bannisters’ that have been put in place at various spots on the route as, believe me, some of the steps are quite deep! Fortunately, the whole walk is so scenic that any rest attempts can easily be passed off as needing to stop to take photos!

At the top of the first flight of steps and to the left of the path are the Goat’s Hair Twin Caves – the perfect spot to have a breather and admire the view of the Med, the lighthouse at Europa Point and the mountains of Morocco on the other side of the Strait.

From the Goat’s Hair Twin Caves the path carries on upwards, through a small tunnel, eventually reaching several World War II military buildings.

Although the steps continue upwards on the left near these buildings (directly opposite a small wooden viewing platform), ignore these at this stage and head straight past to a viewing spot at the end of the path. This lookout gives exceptional views of the eastern side of the rock, the beaches of Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay in Gibraltar, the Spanish town of La Linea de la Concepcion across the border, and the coastline of the Costa del Sol in the distance.

Backtracking slightly the steps are now on the right and the path starts to get steeper!

On my most recent trip up the Med Steps I actually followed a Barbary partridge up the path here. When I’ve seen them previously they’ve scurried into the undergrowth but this one was happy to walk slowly up the path with me walking just a few feet behind.

The final set of steps zigzag their way up the side of the rock and, again, the multiple photo opportunities are the perfect excuse to stop for a breather!

Once you’ve tackled these limestone steps you’ve made it! You’ve officially climbed to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar. Time to catch your breath and admire the view!

Exploring the Upper Rock Nature Reserve

As you’ve paid for all the Upper Rock Nature Reserve attractions it’s a matter of deciding which to see first as you head back down the Rock. Be warned, there’s quite a lot of walking between attractions.

There are four colour coded walking trails around the Upper Rock so there’s something for visitors of all abilities and range of interests.

Nature Lover – an easy trail to discover more of the flora and fauna of Gibraltar.

History Buff – a medium ability trail for anyone who wants to know more about Gibraltar’s military history.

Monkey Trail – a medium ability trail with guaranteed sightings of the Barbary Macaques.

Thrill Seeker – the most difficult trail, this route covers the Med Steps.

There’s also an app that can be downloaded free for iOS and Android phones.

It’s worth deciding beforehand what attractions you want to see so that you maximise your time on the Rock and don’t have to backtrack too much – after the effort of climbing the Med Steps you definitely won’t want to spend any more time on your feet than you have to. Trust me!

From the top of the Med Steps my favourite way back down is to follow Douglas Path to the top of the Charles V Wall. While it’s unlikely you’ll see any of Gibraltar’s most famous residents, the Barbary Macaques, as you’re climbing the Med Steps chances are that, once you reach the top, you’ll be met by at least one. If not, you’ll be guaranteed to see some as you head back down the Rock.

The Barbary Macaques that Gibraltar is famous for have a nose for food and can smell it a mile off so, if you’ve bought any snacks along with you, make sure your backpack is fully zipped up otherwise you could end up the victim of a monkey mugging, something I’ve witnessed numerous times.

You can walk down the steps of the Charles V Wall to the Apes’ Den although you do need to take care as macaques frequently sit on the steps and there are warning signs about them.

If you don’t fancy taking your chances passing the macaques on the very narrow steps you can follow the signs for the Moorish Castle where you’ll eventually come out at the top of Castle Steps, an easy walk down to the city centre.

Alternatively, if you’ve had enough walking for one day after climbing the Med Steps you can take the Cable Car back down. The top station is just a short walk from the top of the Charles V Wall and will deposit you just outside the main entrance to the Alameda Gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Med Steps

How long does it take to hike to the top?

Depending on your level of fitness, and the weather on the day you climb, it usually takes anything from ninety minutes to two hours to reach the top. This includes stops to take photos (or just get your breath back).

How difficult is the climb to the top?

The official sign at the base of the Rock states it is hard but, as long as you take your time, don’t overestimate your abilities, and stop if you need to, it should be manageable by most people. If you’re used to walking with poles then they might come in handy to help on some of the steeper sections but they’re not essential.

Is it suitable for people with a fear of heights?

I don’t like heights but I have no problems with the Med Steps. The Skywalk attraction at the top though is another matter entirely! This is a glass viewing platform which juts out over the Rock.

When is the best time to climb the Med Steps?

There’s not really a bad time to climb the Med Steps but, obviously, a clear day is preferred to make the most of the outstanding views.

Spring. This is probably the best time to visit as the days are cooler and the flowers are just coming into bloom.

Summer. Summer days in Gibraltar are hot so, if this is the only time of year that you’re able to climb the Med Steps, make sure that you go either early morning or, if you’re not a morning person, wait until late afternoon or early evening. The heat of the sun and the lack of shade makes it more difficult and much less enjoyable.

Autumn. Like Spring, this is a good time to climb as the weather is cooler but still warm.

Winter. This is probably not the best time to climb the Med Steps. The weather can be very changeable in Gibraltar and the Med Steps are often closed to walkers if the weather is particularly bad. If this is the only time you have then make sure you heed any weather warnings and wear something warm.

What wildlife can you see on the Med Steps?

The amount of flora and fauna is spectacular. I’ve climbed the Med Steps at different times of the year and there’s always something new to see.

Native plants on the Rock of Gibraltar include the Gibraltar Candytuft, Sea Lavender, and rare Gibraltar Campion.

Birdlife includes the Barbary Partridge and Yellow-legged Seagulls. If you’re lucky you might also see eagles, vultures, and other birds of prey.

What should you take with you?

As well as wearing comfortable shoes, there are a few essentials you should carry with you when you climb the Med Steps.

Water. There’s no access to water on the Med Steps so make sure you take plenty with you. I have a backpack with a water bladder insert and can easily go through two litres of water on the climb on a hot day.

Sunscreen. Don’t be fooled by the levanter cloud that frequently hangs over Gibraltar. Even on a cloudy day the Mediterranean sun is strong so don’t forget sunscreen and take your sunglasses and a hat too.

Jacket. The weather in Gibraltar can be changeable so it’s also worth taking a jacket. On many occasions I’ve set off in glorious sunshine only to reach the top covered in cloud.

Phone. Don’t forget your phone. While accidents are unlikely to happen it’s better to be prepared should an emergency arise. The number for the emergency services in Gibraltar is 112.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this. Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or, if you’ve climbed the Med Steps yourself, let me know how you found it.

Happy hiking!

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