The Mediterranean Steps

Gibraltar's tourist face is the cable car; its hiker's face is the Mediterranean Steps - the old military path that rounds the Rock's southern end and climbs the wild eastern cliffs in a staircase cut against the limestone, wildflowers and nesting gulls at elbow height, the sea straight below and the path's engineering (steps, tunnels, retaining walls) a quiet marvel of its own. The route tops out at O'Hara's Battery on the ridge, where the summit panorama runs from Africa across the Strait to Spain's sierras - earned, on this approach, rather than ridden to.

History

The steps were built as part of the military network that gave the British access to their defence posts at the southern end of the Rock, and at their top stand the two 9.2 inch guns of Lord Airey's and O'Hara's batteries. They were restored in 2007 by the Bonita Trust, the Government of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (Wikipedia, Mediterranean Steps).

What's there

• The cliff staircase - the path's audacious eastern line.
• The wildflower walls - Gibraltar candytuft and spring colour.
• O'Hara's Battery - the ridge-top gun and summit views.
• The Strait panorama - Africa to Andalusia from the crest.

When to go

October to May for cool climbing and (spring especially) the flower show; summer middays bake the exposed face. Early starts beat both heat and traffic on the narrow steps.

What to expect

It is a climb - steep, stepped and unforgiving of sandals; vertigo-sensitive walkers should read the cliff-edge character. Gulls in nesting season express opinions. The reserve ticket applies as everywhere on the Upper Rock.

Nearby

Jews' Gate, St Michael's Cave and the summit ridge.

Key facts