The Upper Rock Nature Reserve covers more than 40% of Gibraltar's land area and contains the Mediterranean Steps, St Michael's Cave, the Great Siege Tunnels, the Moorish Castle, the Skywalk, and resident Barbary macaques. The Gibraltar Cable Car is closed for reconstruction as of 2026, so hikers access the reserve on foot, by taxi, or with a guided Rock Tour operator.
Why Hike the Upper Rock
The Upper Rock Nature Reserve packs Gibraltar's most iconic sights into one compact area on the 426m Rock. From the Mediterranean Steps to St Michael's Cave, the Moorish Castle to the Skywalk, and the famous Barbary macaques scattered across the trails, this is the one activity no visitor to Gibraltar should skip.
Hiking the trails gives you a completely different experience from a vehicle tour. The views across the Strait to Africa, down to the harbour, and over to Spain are earned with every step, and the quiet sections away from the main roads make the Rock feel genuinely wild.
Getting In: Entry Fees and Access
Access to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve requires an entry ticket, which covers all the main attractions inside: St Michael's Cave, the Great Siege Tunnels, the Moorish Castle, and the Skywalk. Public listings indicate adult admission in the range of £18 to £21 (as of 2026), though the price has varied across sources, so verify the current figure at the gate or with Gibraltar Tourism before visiting.
If you are hiking the Mediterranean Steps, you enter through Jews' Gate at the southern end. The main vehicle and taxi access point is at the top of Engineer Road. The Gibraltar Cable Car is closed for a full reconstruction, with no confirmed reopening until around 2027, so taxi tours and walking routes are the only options for getting to the top.
The Mediterranean Steps
This is the signature hike on the Rock. The Mediterranean Steps is a trail that climbs the sheer eastern face from Jews' Gate at the southern end all the way up to O'Hara's Battery at 420m, just below the Rock's true summit of 426m.
The trail is roughly 1.5 kilometres but gains significant elevation. Expect 60 to 90 minutes going up depending on your fitness. The path is a mix of concrete steps, rocky scrambles, and narrow ledges carved into the cliff face. Some sections have handrails, others do not. It is not dangerous if you are reasonably fit and careful, but it is not a casual stroll.
The views from the Mediterranean Steps are the best on the Rock. You look straight down the eastern cliffs to the sea, across to the Rif mountains of Morocco, and along the entire coastline. On a clear day the visibility is extraordinary.
The Main Trails
Jews' Gate to O'Hara's Battery via Mediterranean Steps
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Time: 60 to 90 minutes up. The classic route. Start at Jews' Gate, follow the signed path for the Mediterranean Steps, and climb to O'Hara's Battery at 420m. From there you can descend via the road or continue to the other attractions inside the reserve.
Royal Anglian Way
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Time: 30 to 45 minutes. A paved road that winds through the reserve past the Apes' Den, St Michael's Cave, and various viewpoints. This is the route most tour vehicles use. It is an easy walk suitable for all fitness levels, though it climbs throughout.
Douglas Path
Difficulty: Moderate. Time: 45 to 60 minutes. A quieter trail through the wooded areas of the upper reserve. You are more likely to encounter wildlife away from the main tourist paths. The vegetation is dense Mediterranean scrub, and the relative solitude is a genuine contrast to the busier viewpoints.
Charles V Wall Trail
Difficulty: Easy. Time: 20 to 30 minutes. A shorter walk along the historic 16th-century defensive wall with good views down over the town. A solid option if time is limited or if you want an easier introduction to the reserve before tackling the Steps.
What to See Inside the Reserve
St Michael's Cave
A natural limestone cave around 300m above sea level, used as a concert venue since the 1950s. The main chamber is enormous, filled with stalactites and stalagmites lit with coloured lighting. Entry is included in your Nature Reserve pass.
The Great Siege Tunnels
Work began on these tunnels on 25 May 1782, under the direction of Sergeant Major Henry Ince, during the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779 to 1783). The original tunnels stretch around 300m and contain cannon positions with views over the isthmus toward Spain. Worth noting: these should not be confused with the separate WWII tunnels, which form a much larger 55km underground network beneath the Rock.
The Moorish Castle
The first castle on this site was built in 1160 AD. The current Tower of Homage dates from a rebuilding in 1333 and is one of the best-preserved Islamic-era fortifications in the Iberian Peninsula. Walking up to it gives you the full scale of the structure in a way that viewing it from the town below does not.
The Skywalk
A glass viewing platform jutting out from the cliff face at 340m above sea level, opened in 2018. It offers vertigo-inducing views straight down the Rock's eastern face. Not for anyone with a fear of heights, but a genuinely impressive experience if you can handle it.
Windsor Suspension Bridge
A 71m bridge spanning a 50m gorge inside the reserve, opened on 21 June 2016. The crossing itself is straightforward but the drop beneath makes it memorable. A good spot for photographs looking back along the Rock.
Barbary Macaques
Around 230 to 300 Barbary macaques live in the Upper Rock in several troops, managed by GONHS and the Government of Gibraltar. The Apes' Den near the Queen's Gate is the most reliable spot to see them, but you will encounter them throughout the reserve on all the main trails.
Macaque Safety
The macaques are wild animals and can become aggressive if they think you have food. Do not eat near them, do not show food, and keep bags fully zipped at all times. Do not touch them regardless of how tame they appear. If one approaches you, stay calm and move slowly away. Feeding the macaques is illegal in Gibraltar and carries a fine of around £4,000 (as of 2026).
Best Times to Visit
Early morning is ideal, especially in summer when temperatures can reach 35°C by midday. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for hiking as temperatures are comfortable and the light is excellent.
Avoid midday in summer for the Mediterranean Steps as there is almost no shade on the cliff face. Winter hiking is fine on clear days but check forecasts before heading up: the upper sections can be very windy and cloud rolls in quickly, cutting visibility to near zero.
What to Bring
Sturdy footwear is essential for the Mediterranean Steps. Trainers with good grip are the minimum; hiking shoes are better. Bring at least a litre of water per person and more in summer. Sun protection is important as there is very little shade on the upper trails. A light windproof layer is worth packing because it is always significantly windier at the top than in town.