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| Hiking | 8.50 Miles |
1,550 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.50 Miles | 3 Hrs 30 Mns | | 2.83 mph |
| 1,550 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | 8 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | | Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and headland which is the southernmost point on the Iberian peninsula, colonized by Moors in the Middle Ages but controlled by Britain since 1713. Significant action to control the Strait of Gibraltar during World War 2 and defense from Spanish incursions in the 18th century left many siege tunnels and artillary batteries on the rock. Also it’s noted for the finding of Neanderthal remains in caves and the presence of Barbary apes ,the only existing ones in Europe. Chose to hike the “Mediterranean steps” to reach the summit,at about 1383 feet, if the hike started at the steps it’s only about a mile to the summit.This hike includes the distance from the city gate and return.Starting about 7 am from there requires walking down Main Street past the shops and pubs ,none open at 0700, very British atmosphere including the red phone booths,currency in pounds. Went past Trafalgar cemetery, resting place for Tralfalger battle casualties, next went past the gondola station. Yes you can take a gondola to near the summit but what fun is that. Proceeded on through the adjacent Alameda botanical garden, the George Don gates ,and then past the Wellington monument up to the Engineer road. Continuing a short distance on the Engineer road I passed the sign for Gibraltar nature preserve ,soon thereafter had my first Barbary ape sighting and then reached a gate ,also for car access , cost 5 pounds to proceed hiking ,cars to park there 8 pounds.There is a viewpoint there to look across the strait to Morocco, also a monument to the pillars of Hercules ,that in mythology created the strait of Gibraltar,and importantly the beginning of the Mediterranean steps. Unfortunately a cloud was hovering above , a local informed me it would not clear until late afternoon turned out to be correct.Despite this proceeded up the steps past St. Michaels Cave ,did not stop there, eventually reaching O’Haras battery at the summit. It was too socked in for a view so I spent a few minutes in the tunnels below the battery , viewing the displays shells about 4 feet tall, a room with controls for loading and aiming the battery , museum quality Retreated down the road to the beginning of the Douglas path, fortunately I had a hiking pole I found out later it’s a good deterrent to the apes which frequently will attack your pack to steal food. This path was notable for some Moorish ruins and a glass sidewalk along the ridgeline, fee here was included with the original hiking fee. This is the only place where views are available in both directions as your on the narrow part of the ridgeline, about 300 feet lower than the summit but it was still cloudy at the time I was there,also there was a crack in the glass sidewalk which prevented walking the entire length. After this I reversed course to return to town where I enjoyed a Guinness and fish and chips at the Angry Friar pub. Was glad to make this hike to satisfy a curiosity , only disappointed with the cloud cover which finally did clear about 4 pm! |
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