NATURE RESERVE

You only have to look at any photo of the west face of the Rock and you will notice that the upper half of the Rock is mostly green. It is this upper part that has been designated the Upper Rock ‘Nature Reserve.’ There is an entrance fee to enter the Nature Reserve.

There are two entry points:

  • Jews Gate
  • Moorish Castle

Please be advised that private cars are not allowed to drive into the Nature Reserve.  We recommend you book a Rock Tour should you wish to see  Gibraltar highlightsr.  The Rock Tour by mini bus consists of an approximately 2 hour tour that includes Europa Point, St Michael’s Cave and the opportunity to meet the local monkeys or Barbary Macaques.

So, what does your money entitle you to?

The Nature Reserve is a protected area and where you will find some of Gibraltar’s most important historical sites. These include: St Michael’s Cave, Great Siege Tunnels, City Under Siege Exhibition, Moorish Castle, Apes Den, Mediterranean Steps, World War II Tunnels and the old Jewish Cemetery.

In order to gain entrance into St Michael’s Cave, Great Siege Tunnels, City Under Siege Exhibition, World War II Tunnels,  O’Hara’s Battery, Skywalk, Windsor Suspension Bridge, Footpaths including Mediterranean Steps and Moorish Castle you must first purchase a Nature Reserve Ticket. This ticket will also gain you entrance into the impressive 100 Ton Gun which is located outside the Nature Reserve.

Reservations for the World War II tunnels are recommended by contacting beaches@gibraltar.gov.gi or tel :+350 200 71633 

In Brief

Nature Reserve ticket = access to all areas

Gibraltar is a small place and you can walk or catch the bus to most places plus traffic is an issue. For this and other reasons we recommend that you leave your car on the Spanish side of the border and use the public transport.  However, no public transport other than taxis and pre-organised mini coach tours are allowed into the Nature Reserve. The easiest way to access the Nature Reserve is via the Cable Car. The Cable Car runs every 10 to 15 minutes and it only takes approximately 6 minutes to reach the Top of the Rock.

Should you choose to wander around the Upper Rock Nature Reserve on foot you will be rewarded not only by the spectacular views but the abundance of flora and fauna. Gibraltar is home to a wealth of plant life – palms and jacaranda, lavender and jasmine, clematis, honeysuckle, geraniums and bougainvillea live side by side with many rarer species including two, Gibraltar Candytuft and Gibraltar Sea Lavender, named after the Rock itself. You will find many of these up the Rock. Look out for the information boards dotted around which will help you to know what to look out for.

Gibraltar is also a well-known and popular bird look out. It is a key migration point and keen bird watchers return year after year to the rock in the hope of spotting the myriad of bird life that use the Strait of Gibraltar as their crossing point to and from north Africa.  Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society are the people to contact if you need more information on anything to do with the environment, plants and wildlife. They can be contacted through their website: www.gonhs.org.

Useful Apps

Upper Rock Nature Trails:

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/gibraltar-upper-rock-paths/id902352662?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elitechlab.UpperRock

Nature Reserve Opening Hours

Summer: (May – September) : 9:30am – 7:00pm.

Winter: (October – April) : 9:00am – 6:15pm.

Last entry will be 17:45hrs at all sites except World War II tunnels. Their last entry is 17:15hrs

Open 7 days a week.