Climbing The “Pillars Of Hercules!”
Whenever people ask me “where do you want to go next?”, I end up rattling off a half dozen of my “must see” places. But, reading a book recently, I now must add the “Pillars Of Hercules” to the list!
The Rock of Gibraltar, also known as “The Rock”, is a monolithic limestone promontory located in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, near the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, rising 1,398 ft above the Mediterranean.
I decided to do some more research to find out what makes this rock unique – and there is a lot to share!
First of all, I had no idea that most of the Rock’s upper area is a nature reserve, home to around 300 Barbary macaques.
Yes, the rock has Monkeys!
As you can see behind the Monkey, the Rock of Gibraltar technically sits in a British Overseas Territory. The Rock has served as a strategic military fortress for as far back as 1000BC, and is one-half of the Pillars of Hercules, a term that originates in Greek mythology and refers to The Rock and a corresponding mountain on the other side of the Mediterranean in North Africa. The Pillars of Hercules, on either side of the Straights of Gibraltar, are the gateway from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.
Here’s what it looks like from outer space!
Ready To Hike To The Top?
I would love to take a hike up this rock – from the start of Mediterranean Steps trail, it’s just under a mile to the top, with an elevation gain of 780 ft.
And worth every steps for the spectacular views…
As one website noted, the trail is rocky with large steps at times; they say that shoes with good traction are a must!
Oh, along with a hike to the top, how about a trip INSIDE?
Step Inside “The Rock!”
Yes, another thing I discovered: the rock has a system of underground passages, known as the Galleries or the Great Siege Tunnels!
The Galleries were originally created in 1797, and are a whole system of halls, embrasures, and passages, and they are open to the public!
And As For Those Monkeys….
Now, back to those Monkeys…where did they come from?
They are called “Barbary Macaques” and there are several theories about how they got to the rock: they may have originally escaped when originally transported to Spain; it is also possible that the original Gibraltar macaques are a remnant of populations that are known to have spread throughout Southern Europe during the Pliocene, up to 5.5 million years ago!
And yes, they know you have food or items of interest!
Like Monkeys everywhere, they know you have something of value and they are not afraid to come and get it!
I need to take in the view from one half of the “pillars of Hercules”, especially now that I’ve read this terrific book!
Paul Theroux is, to me, the greatest travel Writer ever, and this book is his journey completely around the Mediterranean, starting at the Rock and ending in North Africa…see more about this great book here:
You probably remember that I just featured another incredible hike as well:
How about hiking to the top of the rock of Guatape?” Click here to see where this incredible natural wonder is located:
I have shared stories of my wife and I trying some hikes that were terrifying as well, like this one:
It was terrifying! That chain link is the only thing keeping you from falling more than 1,600 feet if you step wrong! Here’s a look:
I recently updated how you can hike this yourself…see that story here:
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Leave me a comment with your thoughts on these incredible “pillars of Hercules!”
Categories: Exotic Travel, Memoirs, nature, Real Estate, Sports, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir
johnrieber 
With Queens approval in 2003 we were married in her gardens in Gibraltar. The license called my fiancé an unmarried spinster. She didn’t like seeing that. Department Store Corté de Englés had their people stay late after store closing hours sewing and hemming & fitting her marriage gown & my Tuxedo. Next day we paraded thought town to the Queens offices. She looked beautiful with her gown trailing behind her. It was the best day of that marriage. See General or President Ulysses S. Grant in his Uniform posed in a room underground The Rock of Gibraltar, which serves our military as a virtual total listening post was a surprise. The monkeys standout out as a peculiarity to Gibraltar of course. But aside from optics, they are not welcome or a good addition nor were their attacks, screams, or attempts to smash car windows & break into steal things/items from cars parked along the fortresses walls.
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Thank you for sharing this great memory with us! I shared a story about some Baboons on safari who were notoriously trying to steal things…they are nothing but troublemakers indeed!
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I had no idea there were monkeys of tunnels. Can you imagine carving out the tunnels in 1797? Thanks for a great post, John. I hope you get there one day.
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Thanks for your note!
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You’re welcome!
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My daughter traveled to Spain with a day spent in Morocco and another in Gibraltar about ten years ago. I was fortunate enough to go along. We took a ferry to Gibraltar and it was amazing. We took a bus to the base of the mountain to see a few of the caves and the monkeys. The history of the rock is so interesting. The wise bus driver suggested I not wear a hat or carry anything that might attract the monkeys. Let’s just say they were very friendly. They were everywhere. Ha ha. We ended up in small square. After a week of paella and other Spanish dishes, it was fun to dive into some British fish and chips. I could have spent hours there just taking in the sights. Yes, yes, definitely check it out if you ever get the chance John!!!
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Thanks for sharing this, it makes me want to go even more! What a great experience to share with your daughter…I’m meeting mine next week in Napa Valley for her 3rd marathon there!
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Family. A beautiful location. A great bottle of wine too. Oh that sounds like a fun trip. Have a blast.
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Most British people (of my age anyway) are familiar with Gibraltar and the ‘Barbary Apes’. I have never been, but my dad had visited after WW2, on his way home from the war.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s not on people’s radar here much…but I want to go the next time I am in that part of Europe!
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Great photos….a great trivia question only monkeys native to Europe……great post chuq
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What marvellous photos! Have seen so many thru’ the decades but some of your closeups are ‘unreal’! Oh, well knew about the monkeys but not the inside galleries as have not been myself . . . thanks for further homework!
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Eha, I mention that it is my goal to be there – these are all photos of what I found online to give me more motivation to go – isn’t it cool?
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*smile* Apologies! Should have looked more carefully – the first two monkey ones were the kind of ‘close-ups’ you normally ‘produce’! I LOVE monkeys and the Gib ones always look extra gorgeous!
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I always enjoy your comments but i haven’t gotten an incredible lencloseup of a monkey like that yet! So
Done shared that it’s thirty euros to go up – even if you walk it!
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thanks for taking the hike for me, I love the view but won’t be climbing up or down there. love the monkeys and the cool passages though
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I haven’t gone yet, just dreaming of it! We did have some very rambunctious Monkeys in Bali and also crazy ones in Africa too!
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at least they’re consistent !)
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HA! Indeed!
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