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Upper Rock Nature Reserve
Practically every known corner in Gibraltar can accurately be considered a
potential tourist spot. This is simply because every known site carry an
interesting story that is certain to catch the attention of any particular
visitor. It is quite common therefore for many tourists, especially those
visiting Gibraltar for the first-time, to plan on making a second visit to
the city as soon as they can because one visit will simply not be
sufficient.
However, for visitors who have a tight budget and who do not have too much
time on their hands, a short trip to Gibraltar can still end up as an
enjoyable experience if they simply opt to visit one particular area in
the city — the Upper Rock Nature Reserve area.
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Above the Rock
Actually, the Upper Rock Nature Reserve area is considered by many as
the central point of attraction in Gibraltar. Here, visitors can see
numerous natural and man-made sites that practically mirror many other
sites scattered all around Gibraltar. They include a combination of
tunnels, gates, walls, caves, and exotic plants and animals that are
considered endemic to the place.
The Upper Rock Nature Reserve area thus may be considered as Gibraltar
itself. Both history buffs and nature lovers will find this particular
Gibraltar area the perfect place to satisfy their passion. Meanwhile,
tourists who want to see the town in general terms will likewise find
the Upper Rock area as the ultimate place to go to.
Things To See Within The Upper Rock
Geographically situated on Gibraltar’s upper portion (hence the name),
the Upper Rock area is classified as a protected reserve spot in
Gibraltar. Perched approximately 1,380 feet above the sea, it plays
host to a unique combination of natural and artificial Gibraltar
attractions.
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Among the wonders of nature that can be found here are the various plants
and animals that have made the reserve their home. They include plants
such as jasmine, honeysuckle, and the Gibraltar version of Sea Lavender.
Among the flowers that are known to exist here, the more popular ones are
the Thyme, the Chickweed, and the Candytuft.
Animal-wise, the area counts Barbary partridges, vultures, kestrels,
ospreys, red and black kites, buzzards, harriers, and a great number of
various bird species as its regular residents. However, what is considered
as the most prominent and the longest resident of the Upper Rock area are
the Gibraltar Rock Apes, which are also known by two other names that
include Barbary Apes and Barbary Macaques. These are tailless species of
apes that are not entirely endemic to Gibraltar. Algeria and Morocco are
two other countries where Barbary Apes species are known to exist.
Nevertheless, the Gibraltar types are quite unique in the sense that they
are the only known species of Rock Apes in Europe that are allowed to roam
freely.
At the Upper Rock area, the Barbary Macaques live in two separate fronts.
One pack lives above the Rock of Gibraltar near the station of cable cars.
The other pack lives at Apes Den sanctuary.
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The term ape, as used in reference to the Barbary Macaques, is somewhat
erroneous basically because the said animals are not actually apes but are
more accurately classified as monkeys, or macaques. Nevertheless, the name
has stuck and has contributed to a certain extent to the popularity of the
monkeys. Aside from that, the Barbary Macaques are popular because they
happen to sport a rare monkey color in cinnamon in addition to the fact
that they sport no tail, which is surprising since they are classified as
monkeys.
Needless to say, the Upper Rock is a perfect area of study for plant and
animal enthusiasts aside from being an excellent site for bird watching.
This becomes especially true during the season of migration when birds of
as many as 15 diverse species can be observed passing by the area in one
single day. During spring time, various bird types likewise visit the area
for mating, and along with them are different insect types, including
colorful butterflies, literally making the Upper Rock area a wildlife
paradise.
Adding further beauty to the place are the many natural tunnels and caves
that are situated in several strategic spots within the Upper Rock area.
One of these is St. Michael’s Cave situated at the southern corner of
Upper Rock.
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St. Michael’s Cave is quite old and has been a constant source of wonder
for many Gibraltar visitors. This is because the cave boasts of several
passages and has an awesome display of rocks formed through the years.
Stalactites and stalagmites are also said to exist within the many cave
passages.
Attempts were made to turn St. Michael’s Cave into a mini-hospital,
specifically at the height of the Second World War. Though the
preparations were completed, the site was never actually used. Today, it
is largely utilized as a venue for concerts, drama plays, ballet programs,
and other similar presentations, providing audience with a totally unique
auditorium.
However, the Upper Rock area is not limited only to natural beauty when it
comes to attracting visitors. Several man-made structures can also be seen
here. These artificial landmarks are not only impressive in form and in
style but are likewise attractive in the sense that they were built
centuries ago when Gibraltar was still literally trying to carve a name in
world history. They are, in effect, significant contributors to the
overall development of Gibraltar.
One impressive man-made structure found in the Upper Rock area is the
Great Siege Tunnels, dug up between the years 1779-1783 primarily as a
main defense shelter of the British military when the combined forces of
Spanish and French army was trying to take hold of Gibraltar. Situated
north of the reserve, the Great Siege Tunnels is presently composed of
several cavern series where reenactments of several historic events are
staged. It was previously called the Upper Galleries and was used largely
as vantage areas where guns were placed, enabling the guards to have a
good view of any approaching enemy.
Other popular artificial landmarks that can be found within the Upper Rock
area are the following: The Jews Gate, a site where one can find a
monument honoring the Pillars of Hercules and where visitors will be given
a breath-taking view of the general outline of Africa and several Morocco
mountains; O’Hara’s Battery, an artillery fortress that houses the
renowned gun measuring 9.2 inches that has a 16-mile range; Princess
Caroline’s Battery, where exhibits of various military artifacts can be
found including the Memorial Chamber which contains an extensive regiments
list of all the men who served the Gibraltar military starting from 1704;
Princess Anne’s Battery, another fort that is considered as the only
undamaged battery in any place worldwide. It is reportedly the home of
several AA guns measuring 5.25 inches; the exhibition of a City Under
Siege, a graphic depiction of Gibraltar life during the period of the
infamous Great Siege, where both civilians and military personnel endured
enormous hardships; Devil’s Gap Battery, considered by many as the first
real artillery fort where the guns of 6-inch models are still on display;
and the Moorish Castle, an ancient palace complex that the Arabs built
when they conquered Gibraltar sometime in 711. The castle boasts of
several gates, buildings, and fortified walls but is particularly famous
for one outstanding landmark, the Tower of Homage.
At present, however, a great portion of the structures that originally
composed the Moorish Castle is gone, except for the outer walls that cover
the complex and reaching beyond the Gibraltar harbor and its accompanying
Moorish pier.
In spite of this, the Moorish Castle should still be considered a site to
see in the Upper Rock area, if only for its historical value. Yet, the
castle does become quite eye-catching during certain nights when the
tower, along with the adjoining walls, becomes floodlit, providing a most
spectacular sight for tourists on board the many tourist ships that
regularly sail through the Gibraltar Strait.
Getting to the Upper Rock
If you think that the Upper Rock Nature Reserve area is one Gibraltar site
that should definitely be visited by any prospective Gibraltar visitor,
nothing can be more accurate. Nevertheless, one needs to be properly
informed on how one can reach the place and the most recommended time to
get there.
Actually, there are several means of getting to the Upper Rock. Getting a
taxi ride, specially one that provides a tour of the place, is most
definitely the most recommended way.
Alternatively, visitors can take a ride in the cable cars, with the final
stop situated at midpoint between the northern and the southern Gibraltar
ridge line. From here, visitors can walk further south to get a good view
of the numerous attractions of the Upper Rock area. Walking, incidentally,
is the third means of reaching the reserve, and by far, the healthiest and
the cheapest. In this regard, it should be noted that there are several
points in the Upper Rock area that can only be accessed by means of
walking. Visitors need not be worried though, as there are several paths
specifically built for walkers that will lead them to any given site
located within the reserve. Among the footpaths are the Public Footpath,
which starts from the town area, the Douglas Path, the Royal Anglian Way,
and the Mediterranean Steps. Of all these, the Douglas Path is considered
as the most noteworthy, especially when trekking the path that leads to
the Upper Rock mountainside area.
While traveling by car is not really recommended since Gibraltar roads can
be rather winding, one can always take the access road located at La Linea
near the border of Spain and Gibraltar.
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Upper Rock Schedule
Unlike other places in Gibraltar where one can have free and
unlimited access, the Upper Rock area is a reserved Gibraltar site, where
access is based on entrance fees. This is basically to ensure that no harm
will come either to the visitors or to the sites that are being visited.
It is thus essential that one bring along a sufficient amount of pocket
money when planning to visit this particular Gibraltar area. For starters,
gaining entry to Upper Rock has a charge fee of seven pounds for adults
and four pounds for children with ages ranging from five to twelve years
old. If the child is below four years of age, he or she gets free access.
Visitors with their own private vehicles who wish to bring these into
the reserve should expect to be charged with an admission fee as well.
The average charge is about 1.50 pounds.
Getting a ride in cable cars also entails charges, with a one-way
ticket costing about five pounds. A two-way pass, on the other hand,
should be about 6.50 pounds. Alternatively, there are combination
tickets available, which cost about 7.50 pounds. These will basically
cover the admission fees and a one-way ticket ride via cable cars. |
As for the exact departure schedule of the cable cars, the schedule is
placed at ten-minute intervals, with the initial departure usually taking
place at around 9:30AM and the last trip set at 5:15 in the afternoon,
eventually making a last return trip at around 5:45PM. For directions on
where the departure points can be found, one can simply go to the eastern
tip of Main Street. Once there, simply look for the signpost indicating
the Upper Rock cable car departure schedule. The Upper Rock Nature Reserve
incidentally is open everyday starting at 9:30AM. Closing time is around
6:30PM.
Upper Rock Management
The Upper Rock area is a highly-protected spot in Gibraltar. This simply
means that gaining entrance to the place is limited, with visitors wanting
to gain entry to the many sites located within the reserve being charged
with entry fees. Catching any species of wildlife living in Upper Rock is
obviously prohibited. The same thing goes for their destruction and for
the destruction of the many historic structures located in and around the
protected site. These are all meant to ensure the preservation of the
Upper Rock reserve as a whole in order to enable Gibraltar to keep its
national heritage intact.
Initially, only a portion of the Upper Rock area was designated as a
highly-protected site. However, Gibraltar authorities found it only proper
to have the entire Upper Rock Nature Reserve classified as a protected
area to better ensure its overall preservation. The place is currently
under the able supervision of Sights Management Limited in a contract that
it signed with the Gibraltar government. Chief among its responsibilities
is controlling the population of the Gibraltar Barbary monkeys.
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