Mediterranean Steps Hike, Skywalk and Cable Car
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Port
Gibraltar
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$110
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3¼ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Calling all hikers, adventurers, nature enthusiasts and photographers; set your sights and cameras on the unspoiled beauty of Gibraltar’s environs on this energetic tour that takes you off the beaten path and up the side of the Rock! This is a challenging excursion with three hours devoted to ascending and descending the Rock over steep and often uneven steps, so be sure to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes and comfortable, lightweight clothing.
Your exhilarating adventure begins with a short journey from the pier to Jews Gate, the Upper Rock entrance to the Nature Reserve. Here, you’ll meet your specialist guide who will lead you up the Rock and share knowledge of this man-made wonder. The steps were created by the British military as part of a system of communications that would run between defense points. During your climb your guide will point out the gun placements, gun batteries and old military bunkers that date back to the World War II. Of special note, tucked among the steps are a series of caves that date back to the Neanderthal period. The guide meets the group at the port before starting the tour.
Have your camera handy as you make the steady ascent as you’ll be amazed by the breathtaking, postcard perfect views. More than 500 different species of plants call the Rock their home and you’ll see many of them as you make your way up the steps. No other place in Europe hosts plants known as Gibraltar Candytuft, Gibraltar Thyme, and Gibraltar Sea Lavender, a coastal plant that grows sparingly even on Gibraltar. One plant that you should look for during your trek is the Gibraltar Campion. Once believed to be extinct, this little pink or white flower can only be found on the high cliffs of Gibraltar. But don’t pick it! It’s one of the rarest and critically endangered plants in the world today.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during spring, many of these plants will be in full bloom. And it’s also the best time of year for bird watching. During spring’s migration season the steps offer a perfect vantage point to witness more than 120 species of migratory birds like warblers, eagles and vultures fly north between the continents of Africa and Europe.
Eventually, you’ll reach the 1,398-foot summit and stop at O’Hara’s Battery, built in 1890 on the former site of a watchtower. From here you have a superb viewpoint over the Strait of Gibraltar, Windmill Hill, Europa Point, the Great Sand Dune, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Spanish Costa del Sol.
Then head to the Skywalk, perched on one of the highest points of the Rock of Gibraltar <https://www.dezeen.com/tag/gibraltar/>. The Gibraltar Skywalk is more than an exercise in modern engineering. The original octagonal gun base at the center has been repurposed as a bench seat — a clever homage to The Rock’s military history. When visitors stand at the edge of the observation platform, pressed against the glass, the entire structure seems to vanish. The result is a feeling of hovering unsupported above the stunning landscape. It’s humbling, frightening, and breathtaking. After you’ve taken your photos, you’ll walk to the Upper Cable Car Station for your ride back to town and at the bottom, receive a well-earned "I climbed to the top of the Rock, by foot" certificate of completion.
Then, you’ll rejoin your mini coach for the leisurely and relaxing ride back to the ship.
Please note: You will be traveling in a mini-coach with a driver-guide only. There is no storage for wheelchairs in the transport. Guests participating in this tour should have a good level of fitness as the tour is strenuous and mostly an upward climb. This tour is not recommended for those with walking difficulties as it includes 595 manmade steps and approx. 1.5 miles total walking with 300 meters elevation. Guests should bring water with them and a hat and sun block during the summer months. Sandals or heels are not allowed on this tour (appropriate hiking footwear is recommended). If you have a zoom lens for your camera, you are encouraged to bring it.