The Rock is not easy or straightforward. It is vast and the features are spread out. So, planning the assent is key because you can get it wrong. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. A strategic position on one side of the Gibraltar Straits which is the narrow nine-mile-wide way in and out of the Mediterranean. A bitterly fought over piece of land. It has an area of 6.7 km² (2.6 sq mi) and the Rock can feel that big if you try and walk it. But you can, we did. However, we found the local map very confusing and got lost more than once.

It is a 426m-high limestone ridge full of holes and tunnels like Swiss Emmental cheese. It was first settled on by the Moors in the Middle Ages and later ruled by Spain, as one might expect. It was ceded to the British in 1713 and has been held by the UK since. The many fortifications include the remains of a 14th-century Moorish Castle and the 18th-century Great Siege Tunnels. The tunnels were expanded in WWII and are endless to walk. Not always with much purpose. So, what is there to see?

The Cable Car: as we show in the film, takes you up and can bring you down. But unless you only want to see the sites and not walk anywhere on the rock, it might be the wrong choice as walking in any direction takes you away from the cable car.

The Caves and Light Show: are worth a look, they are on the extreme right, and quite a walk down past the glass floor platform and under a few military fortifications. So you may end up walking up, then down to the caves. You might then not want to walk all the way back up to the cable car to get a lift all the way down to the centre. This cave area is the bus and taxi drop-off area, so is another way to access the rock.

The War Tunnels and Moorish Castle: are on the far left, and the closest to the town if you wish to walk up via the High Street. They are a huge hike to the cable car, and a day out to the caves! But we did walk it, as you can see.

The Steps: What steps? There are steps up from the town to the tunnels, but no, we mean the steps almost all the way down somewhere in the middle… see the film.

The easiest way to join these is with a taxi, which will stop and let you look at each event.

The Rock is another adventure and that is another film. A trip there needs thought and planning, or a tour or a taxi. Enthusiastic hikers might try it by foot; we did. We also have an interview with Robert Daws, who you will recognise from Casualty and The Royal, who writes a crime series set on The Rock. (click picture for book)

If you are using Gibraltar to go into Spain, then take a look at our videos which cover the coast from here to Malaga. They include Sotogrande, Estepona, Duquesa, Marbella, Mijas, Malaga.

We stopped this time on the Britannia ship, Click on the picture to join the Britannia Group chat. If you are in Gibraltar, you are not doubt going somewhere in the Mediterranean. See our Mediterranean ports menu for the many guides.