|
The
Mediterranean Steps
Tunnels and caves make up a great portion of Gibraltar. Most of these were
formed naturally, taking up a great number of years before finally
evolving to its present form. Even then, such formations continue to
undergo changes. A good example of this is St. Michael’s Cave.
Then there are the man-made structures, constructed for a specific
purpose, usually either for protection or preservation. The Great Siege
Tunnels is a classic example of such structures, as they were built during
the time when Spain was trying to re-capture Gibraltar from the hands of
the British.
And then, there are the lesser known landmarks, Gibraltar sites that are
not often visited by tourists, not because these have nothing interesting
to offer, but because they were not promoted extensively by tourism
officials of the city. Often, these landmarks lay untouched, except
perhaps by nature, which unfortunately has caused these potential tourist
attractions to gradually lose much of its magnificence. A fine example of
this should be the Gibraltar Mediterranean Steps.
 |
The
Steep Side of Gibraltar
Composed of what looks like an endless flight of stairs that were
carved out of Gibraltar rocks, the extended Gibraltar Mediterranean
Steps is said to encircle the upper part of the city and that taking a
full walk up the steps will lead one to the eastern corner of the
city. The steps are naturally steep and many times uneven, with every
climb inevitably leading one higher towards the zenith. Winds of
varying degrees can get to blow against the whole body during certain
times of the year. This is aside from the dizziness that the ascending
heights of the steps will eventually bring in.
The steps
are approximately about two feet wide with their view from afar
appearing as if they are literally embracing the jutting Gibraltar
cliffs. At any point in the middle of the steps, the views of nearby
Spain and the mighty Atlas Mountains of equally nearby Morocco are
simply awesome. On the right tip of the Steps, however, a steep drop
of about 600 feet straight to the great sea beneath lies waiting for
those who refuse to observe proper caution. |
Negotiating
through half of the Steps can be done without much difficulty, but beyond
that, the pathwalk can become very dangerous. Not only does one have the
winds possibly blocking every movement, there are also the steps
themselves to worry about, since they often have slippery surfaces aside
from the many vegetation that have eventually grown along the sides. With
these obvious dangers, numerous posts with accompanying sites that declare
the pathways as quite perilous have been placed all across the area.
The Ideal Trek
A year ago, the Gibraltar government placed a sign to the entrance of the
steps that basically forbid anyone from entering the place and take a walk
through the Mediterranean Steps because very poor conditions now exist in
the place.
Still, it is quite common to see a few hardy souls attempting to scale the
heights of the great Mediterranean Steps and practically ignoring the many
signs that point to possible dangers that await them above. For this
particular reason, several factors need to be considered if one should
decide to take the challenge that the Mediterranean Steps poses. One such
factor is time.
Usually, an early morning trek is ideal since the sun is not yet at its
hottest during this time and there is the added benefit of the cool
morning breeze blowing gently around the vicinity. During the hot summer
months though, treks along the Mediterranean Steps should ideally be made
during late afternoons since various shades abound across the place at
around this time.
Spring time is likewise a perfect time to go up or down the Steps. During
this particular season of the year, a wide range of attractive flowers are
most likely blooming around the general vicinity of the Steps.
For people brave enough to take a walk along the Mediterranean Steps, the
usual system is to start from the bottom and eventually winding up at the
crest. However, many others prefer to get to the top first by riding in
cable cars then eventually taking the path of the Steps as they start
their journey downwards.
Either way, the actual trek is, to repeat what has already become obvious,
very dangerous. The few people who do decide to take the journey can thus
be classified into two types: one, the highly-experienced mountain
trekkers who find the ultimate pleasure in being able to conquer extremely
rugged terrain; and two, the certified and genuine nature lovers, because
numerous wonderful sites can actually be found both along the endless
Mediterranean Steps and at the topmost portion of the steps themselves if
only these are easily accessible to every interested visitor of the place.
Sites to See at the Steps
Perhaps unknown to many, the Mediterranean Steps of Gibraltar is not
merely a simple flight of stone stairs that merely leads one to the zenith
of Gibraltar land. There are actually several very unique attractions
randomly placed along any given step that is certain to get the attention
of any Mediterranean Steps visitor. These range from eye-catching plant
life to imposing landmarks that have great historic significance.
|
The
landmarks that one can see along the corners of the great
Mediterranean Steps can be categorized into two general divisions,
namely natural and man-made. Natural landmarks, of course, are the
incredible caves lying secretly and mysteriously along the corners of
the Steps. While they may pose hidden dangers, they will most
certainly interest the curiosity of any mountain trekker, especially
when one considers the possibility that the caves may have been
dwelling places of prehistoric man.
The man-made structures, meanwhile, refer to the various posts, gates,
and stations built by the early settlers of Gibraltar, notably the
British. Most of these are in the form of tunnels and fortresses, and
reportedly, there are more than 33 miles of them situated at various
points along the Mediterranean Steps and built primarily as sites
where cannons are placed for use during the many sieges that Gibraltar
went through. |
 |
However, apart
from natural and artificial landmarks, the Mediterranean Steps is also
said to be host to several unique and divergent plants and flowers that
have strangely found the rough land surface of the Steps as a suitable
habitat. Majority of these are actually endemic to Gibraltar and one can
get to encounter them while negotiating the endless flights of the rugged
Mediterranean Steps.
Trekking Through the Steps
If one will start a trek of the Steps from the bottom area, the first
thing that one will get to see is the Jews’ Gate perched about 180 meters
above the sea. Here stands a monument honoring the Pillars of Hercules.
Taking the trek further will lead one to several thick bushes beside of
which stands a building painted in cream. This is actually the famous
Gibraltar bird observatory, a station reserved for watching migratory
birds as these pass by the city. The Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural
History Society (GONHS) runs the center where a wide and diverse breed of
birds and other forms of wildlife can be viewed.
From there, one starts the formal walk up the Mediterranean Steps, going
southward through a set of dense maquis until finally getting to open
ground located approximately south of the city from where one can have a
good view of Africa from across the Gibraltar Strait. Also here, one can
encounter a Gibraltar fortress, the Levant Battery, now considered
practically unused. Likewise located on this particular area are several
rare species of flowers like white narcissus, Esparto grass, and
asphodels. However, what one should really take serous notice of is the
Dwarf Fan Palm, a plant species that is quite abundant in the general area
of the Mediterranean Steps.
From there comes Martin’s Cave, an area largely unseen by many trekkers
primarily due to a wall standing before its entrance. The wall actually
serves as a kind of protection for brave trekkers because the area,
strictly speaking, is said to be extremely dangerous, especially for
inexperienced mountaineers.
However, the main reason why Martin’s Cave is not given too much public
access is due to the fact that the site happens to be the breeding ground
for the Schreiber’s Bat, a rare species of bats.
After Martin’s Cave, the next important stop is the Goats Hair Twin Caves,
two caves standing directly on the left corner of the Steps. These were
excavated sometime in the 70’s and one cave reportedly revealed ancient
artifacts, an indication that men from prehistoric times once lived in the
area.
As one continues the trek, one will get to encounter several observation
posts extensively used during the last great war. These structures were
built by the English military and gave them critical vantage points
against enemy fire.
Finally, the path will reach its last leg upwards, with the last steps
getting a lot steeper. Eventually, a zigzagging stairway will present
itself sometime during this point.
Halfway through these steps, one can get to see the Spider Cave, a small
hole that the British military also made use of during the Second World
War.
Before reaching the final steps, one will get to observe five special
plants considered exclusively Gibraltarian, serving as welcoming
committees to the determined and diligent trekker. They include the
Candytuft, the Thyme, the Campion, the Chickweed, and the Saxifrage.
Situated at the topmost portion of the Steps is O’Hara’s Battery. The
artillery fort is often referred to as the highest point in Gibraltar,
standing at around 419 meters above the sea. Getting to the said landmark
therefore can be considered a great achievement because not only does one
get to see a significant Gibraltar historic structure, one is also given
an excellent view of both the Gibraltar Bay and the Gibraltar Strait.
The Birds and the Steps
While one
may be greatly awed by the various landmarks that are virtually hidden
on the corners of the great Mediterranean Steps, one should also be
naturally amazed by the great number of plant life that has eventually
grown all across the place, considering the general climate that
exists there, especially in the upper regions.
 |
Likewise amazing are the various species of birds that have either
made the area their home or the surrounding environs. Good examples of
these are the Peregrine Falcons that have made the many Gibraltar
cliffs their nesting place.
During the season of spring, the same area plays host to the Blue Rock
Thrush as it hums its melodious song, adding more serenity to the
already calm and silent place. And from afar, one can also hear the
Yellow-legged Gulls frequently making monotonous cries. |
Of course, one
bird species that one should not dare miss when visiting the treacherous
terrain of the Mediterranean Steps is the Barbary Partridge. This
particular bird is also considered a big attraction in Gibraltar, second
only to the Barbary Apes. Up the flights of the Steps, trekkers may get
startled by the actions of these birds as they usually explode into sudden
flight at the feet of uninvited guests. One should get used to them though
as they are constant fixtures along the various points of the
Mediterranean Steps.
Taking the Steps Further
With the Mediterranean Steps being home to such a rich and unique
combination of both natural wonders and man-made ingenuity, it comes as a
big surprise that the Gibraltar government has largely neglected the area.
The potential income that the place can generate from tourism alone can
prove to be quite substantial, if only the Mediterranean Steps will be
given sufficient time and money to undergo major reconstruction works.
Apparently, the Gibraltar government has come to the realization that the
area needs to be preserved. Recently, it announced that budget will soon
be allocated intended on revitalizing the major areas in the Upper Rock
Nature Reserve area. Hopefully, this will include the magnificent
Mediterranean Steps and the next few years should see some positive
actions taking place in the immediate area.
|
