The Rock of Gibraltar is not just a landmark — it is a network of trails that climb from sea level to 421 metres through one of Europe’s most concentrated ecosystems. The Upper Rock Nature Reserve covers over 40% of Gibraltar’s total land area and is home to 363 plant species (three found nowhere else on Earth), 315 recorded bird species, and approximately 300 Barbary macaques. You can walk from town to the summit without a cable car, and the trails range from gentle strolls through botanic gardens to the demanding Mediterranean Steps. Here is every trail explained.

Upper Rock Nature Reserve: The Basics

Established: 1993 (IUCN Category Ia protected area)

Opening hours:

October–April: Daily 09:00–18:00
May–September: Daily 09:30–19:00

Entry fee:

Adults: £30 | Children (5–11): £22 | Under 5s: Free
Gibraltar residents (Red ID Card): Free | MOD personnel: Free
Payment: Card only

The ticket includes access to all 17 attractions within the reserve: Apes’ Den, St Michael’s Cave, Great Siege Tunnels, WWII Tunnels, Skywalk, Windsor Suspension Bridge, Moorish Castle, O’Hara’s Battery, and all trails.

Entry points (4 total):

Jews’ Gate — southern approach (near the Pillars of Hercules monument)
Moorish Castle — northern approach
Devil’s Gap — western approach from Upper Town
Cable Car Top Station

A Gibraltar Nature Reserve App (iOS and Android) is available for navigation with trail maps and wayfinding.

The Trails

Mediterranean Steps — The Signature Hike

The most famous trail on the Rock. Originally built in the 18th century by the British military to allow troop access to gun batteries and observation posts.

Route: Begins at Jews’ Gate (near the Jewish Cemetery and Pillars of Hercules monument) at 180m elevation. Follows Martin’s Path along the southwestern slopes past the derelict Levant Battery, then bends northward to the eastern face where it joins the Mediterranean Steps proper. Over 900 concrete and stone steps zigzag up to Lord Airey’s Battery and O’Hara’s Battery near the summit at 421m.

Detail	Info
Distance	~1.8 km one-way (3.5 km as a loop)
Elevation gain	~240 metres
Duration	1.5–4 hours depending on fitness and photo stops
Difficulty	Moderate to strenuous
Terrain	Rocky paths, steep stone steps, some rope handrails, narrow ledges

What you see along the route:

Views over the Strait of Gibraltar, Europa Point, and the coast of Morocco
Gibraltar’s east-side beaches and the Mediterranean Sea
Goat’s Hair Twin Caves (prehistoric sea caves showing ancient higher sea levels)
Remnants of military installations (Levant Battery, Lord Airey’s Battery)
Barbary macaques, Barbary partridges, peregrine falcons, yellow-legged gulls
Wild flora including esparto grass, wild gladiolus, and toothed lavender
Much of the route passes through the UNESCO World Heritage Site, with largely unchanged vegetation since Neanderthal times

Getting to the start: Bus 2 from town centre to Garrison Gym stop, then 20-minute uphill walk to Jews’ Gate. Or walk south along Main Street, then up Europa Road.

For the best photography angles along this trail, see our photographer’s guide to Gibraltar.

Royal Anglian Way — The Bridge Trail

A 600-metre footpath named after the Royal Anglian Regiment, whose 2nd Battalion refurbished the path in 1968–69.

Route: Begins near Apes’ Den at Old Queen’s Road (247m) and runs along the western slope past abandoned military installations to near St Michael’s Cave.

Key points: Hayne’s Cave Battery (established 1797), former military kitchens with elongated ceramic chimneys, Rooke Battery (built 1907), and the Windsor Suspension Bridge — a 71-metre bridge spanning a 50-metre gorge.

Difficulty: Moderate, with some steep sections. Duration: 30–45 minutes.

Flora along the path: Esparto grass, wild gladiolus, toothed lavender, rough bugloss, felty and shrubby germander.

Inglis Way — The Gentle Explorer

The second longest path after Mediterranean Steps, at 1,200 metres. Relatively easy with one steeper rocky section.

Route: Starts at Queen’s Gate in the Charles V Wall (one of Gibraltar’s oldest fortifications, dating to 1540). Passes through a breach in the Moorish Wall, past WWII observation posts and searchlight emplacements, along the boundary of Bruce’s Farm with views across the Strait to Africa.

Duration: About 2 hours. Difficulty: Easy to medium.

Flora: Olive trees, smilax, December clematis, black bryony, southern polypody fern, purple Jerusalem sage, bee orchids.

Fauna: Sardinian warbler, wren, woodcock, Barbary partridge.

Historical interest: An old circular stone building near the start (possibly Moorish-era), WWII Fortress Commander’s Command Post.

Douglas Path — The Ridge Walk

A short but dramatic 390-metre path connecting military installations at the top of the Rock. Named after Captain William Douglas and cut by convict labour.

Route: From the top of Charles V Wall to Mount Misery, then southwards to Douglas Cave. Climbs steep steps, then follows a knife-edge ridge with views over both sides of the Rock — Bay of Gibraltar to the west, Mediterranean to the east.

Difficulty: Moderate to hard (steep steps, exposed ridge). Duration: 30–60 minutes.

Notable fact: Featured in the opening sequence of the 1987 James Bond film The Living Daylights.

Devil’s Gap Footpath — The Quick Route In

The quickest pedestrian route from the city centre to the Nature Reserve, at approximately 250 metres.

Route: Begins at Devil’s Gap Road with Baca’s Passage at the Upper Town boundary. Proceeds southward up steps to Green Lane and Devil’s Gap Battery (130m above sea level).

Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Duration: 15–20 minutes.

Notable: Devil’s Gap Road is also known as the “Union Jack Steps” or “Referendum Steps” — painted in red, white, and blue in 1967 to celebrate Gibraltar’s sovereignty referendum. The battery retains two 6-inch coastal defence guns from WWII.

Four Colour-Coded Trail Networks

The Nature Reserve organises its trails into four themed networks, each with its own logo for wayfinding:

Nature Lover — Easy difficulty. Focused on flora and fauna discovery.
History Buff — Medium difficulty. Explores military history and fortifications.
Monkey Trail — Medium difficulty. Guaranteed Barbary macaque sightings.
Thrill Seeker — Hard difficulty. Includes the Mediterranean Steps and exposed ridges.

Can You Walk from Town to the Summit?

Yes. This is one of the main ways to experience Gibraltar. Three routes from town centre to O’Hara’s Battery (421m):

Option A — Southern approach (Mediterranean Steps): Walk south along Main Street to Grand Parade, then along Europa Road past the Rock Hotel. Turn onto Engineer Road to Jews’ Gate. Buy your Nature Reserve ticket, then ascend via Martin’s Path and the Mediterranean Steps. Total from town: approximately 1.5–2.5 hours.

Option B — Northern approach (Moorish Castle): Head north to the Moorish Castle entrance, then ascend through the reserve via Inglis Way, Royal Anglian Way, or other paths.

Option C — Western approach (Devil’s Gap): Take the Union Jack Steps from the Upper Town to Devil’s Gap Battery, entering the reserve from the west.

A full circuit combining multiple paths covers approximately 10 km and takes about 4 hours.

For a day-by-day plan that includes the Upper Rock trails, see our 3-day Gibraltar itinerary.

Wildlife Along the Trails

Barbary Macaques

Approximately 300 animals in five troops throughout the Upper Rock. Fed twice daily by the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS). Feeding by visitors is illegal (fine up to £4,000). Touching them is also illegal. Keep bags zipped and food hidden.

Birds — A Major Migration Bottleneck

Gibraltar sits on one of Europe’s most important raptor migration routes. An estimated 250,000–300,000 raptors and 150,000 storks cross the Strait annually.

Key species: Black Kite (80,000+), Short-toed Eagle (12,000+), Booted Eagle (10,000+), Egyptian Vulture, European Honey-buzzard, Osprey. Resident breeding specialties include Barbary Partridge (Gibraltar’s national bird — only mainland European site), 5–7 pairs of Peregrine Falcons, Blue Rock Thrush, and Alpine Swift.

Key watchpoints: Jews’ Gate bird observatory, Summit Ridge, Europa Point, Windmill Hill.

Other Wildlife

Reptiles: 5 lizard species including the Ocellated Lizard (Europe’s largest), 6 snake species
Insects: 33 butterfly species including Cleopatra, Swallowtail, and Spanish Festoon. Praying mantises conspicuous in late summer
Marine: Dolphins and whales frequently seen in the Bay of Gibraltar

Dolphin and whale watching trips depart from Ocean Village Marina — see our water sports guide for operators and prices.

Three Plants Found Nowhere Else on Earth

Gibraltar Campion (Silene tomentosa) — Thought extinct, rediscovered in 1994. White and pink flowers with sweet evening scent. Propagated and reintroduced by Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.
Gibraltar Chickweed (Cerastium gibraltaricum) — Tiny white flowers on cliffs and walls.
Gibraltar Saxifrage — Red-lobed, hairy leaves with tiny white flowers on cliff faces.

Plus two near-endemics found only here in Europe: Gibraltar Candytuft (pink and lilac flowers in spring, native to North Africa) and Gibraltar Thyme.

Alameda Botanic Gardens — The Gentle Alternative

If the Rock trails are too strenuous, the Alameda Botanic Gardens offer a gentle, shaded walk on the lower slopes. Created in 1816, covering 6 hectares, with winding pathways, an Italian-style sunken garden (the Dell), fountains, a lake with koi carp, and a 300-year-old Dragon Tree.

Admission: Free. Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM to sunset. Located next to the cable car station.

When to Hike: Seasonal Guide

Spring (March–May) — Best season overall. Temperatures 15–24°C. Gibraltar Candytuft blooms on cliffs. Bee orchids along Inglis Way. Peak spring raptor migration (mid-February to late March). Wildflowers throughout the reserve.

Summer (June–August). Frequently above 30°C. Hike early morning (before 10 AM) or late afternoon (after 5 PM). Avoid midday heat on the unshaded Mediterranean Steps.

Autumn (September–November) — Excellent. Temperatures moderate again. Peak autumn raptor migration (late August through early October). Good conditions for all trails.

Winter (December–February). Mild — rarely below 10°C. Some rain, and wet limestone is extremely slippery. Quieter trails, fewer tourists.

For detailed month-by-month weather data including temperatures and rainfall, see our Gibraltar weather guide.

Safety Essentials

Water: Carry at least 2–3 litres per person, more in summer. No refill points on most trails. Hide water bottles from macaques.
Footwear: Sturdy trainers minimum, hiking boots preferred. Terrain is uneven limestone with steep steps and narrow ledges.
Sun protection: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses — essential year-round, critical in summer.
Trail hazards: Steep drops along exposed cliff edges (fencing incomplete in places), loose rocks on limestone paths, narrow ledges on Douglas Path.
No dogs allowed on reserve trails.
Navigation: Download the GNR App before you go.

For a broader overview of all Gibraltar activities beyond hiking, see our things to do guide.

Trail Difficulty Summary

Trail	Distance	Difficulty	Duration
Mediterranean Steps	~1.8 km one-way	Moderate–Strenuous	1.5–4 hours
Royal Anglian Way	600m	Moderate	30–45 min
Inglis Way	1,200m	Easy–Medium	~2 hours
Douglas Path	~390m	Moderate–Hard	30–60 min
Devil’s Gap Footpath	~250m	Easy–Moderate	15–20 min
Full Reserve Circuit	~10 km	Moderate–Strenuous	~4 hours
Alameda Botanic Gardens	Gentle	Easy	1 hour

After a day on the trails, nothing beats the heated rooftop pool at Victory Suites. The cable car station is a 10-minute walk from your door, and the full kitchen means you can refuel without restaurant prices. Suites from £120/night — book at victorysuites.gi

Hiking the Rock of Gibraltar: Every Trail Explained (2026)