The Cable Car takes you from the Alameda area of Gibraltar to the top of the rock.
The sky is that blue ... and it really is a fantastic place!
There is 673m between the top and bottom terminals. You rise vertically by 352m, 1.91:1.
There are three towers and two cabins.
Each cabin holds 30 passengers and one operator.
There are two stations. The car stops at Middle station, where you can get off and visit the Ape's Den'.
The Barbary Macaques are well worth spending time with. The advantage of taking the cable car over a Rock Tour minibus is that you can spend as much time as you like with Gibraltar's famous Barbary Apes. (last car down 17:45h)
Please don't feed the apes. Any carrier bags you have will be assumed (by the macaques) to contain food.
The apes are supplied with a balanced diet. This young macaque is eating fresh fruit provided for him daily.
Feeding the Barbary Macaques makes them see tourists/humans as possible providors food and alters their behavior. Turning them into unruly scavengors.
There is a maximum fine of £500 for feeding them.
You can then carry on up to the Top station which affords amazing views in all directions.
Looking down to the Alameda car park and the cable car bottom terminal station.
The newly developed marina area.
Looking across Gibraltar town to the Bay of Gibraltar. The western end of Gibraltar airport runway and part of La Linea.
Down on the eastern side of Gibraltar is the beach area of Catalan Bay.
The top of the Rock of Gibraltar and north to La Linea to inland Spain.
The view west across the Bay of Gibraltar to Algeciras.
The British Union Jack flies with the flag of Gibraltar.
Looking South towards a distant Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in Morocco.
The view south west over the dockland area of Gibraltar. The Rif mountains of Morocco are on the horizon.
As well as the fantastic views there is also a self-service restaurant, bar and souvenir shop.
A multilingual tape is available which gives you background information on geographical and historic points of interest.
An unexpected bonus was this Yellow-Legged Gull nesting on top of the wall next to the path.
An interesting historical feature is this mortar carved into the rock. Filled with gunpowder and hundreds of 1lb rocks, it was hoped they would rain down on the enemy below. Unfortunately most fell inside the walls of the fortress below.
If you haven't much time for sightseeing.
Or if you're not interested in the limestone caves and siege tunnels.
If you'd like to spend more than 15-20 minutes with the Barbary Macaques.
Then the cable car is for you.
If you do want to visit these places. Be warned, there is quite a walk from the cable car across the top of the rock. An 'Official Rock Taxi Tour' might be your best option.
If your concerned about heights, don't be. It's very smooth and each cabin has communication to the terminal below. So unless you suffer from extreme vertgo please don't be put off, it's a great trip.
The price was £8 or 14€ for a return trip. (Better to pay in £'s, as with any transaction in Gibraltar)
How to get there.
By Bus. Ideally catch the No3 or 4. Alternatively the No2 and get off near the Convent.
It's then just a fairly short walk to the Cable Car. The drivers are very helpfull and will tell you when to get off if you are unsure.
Walking. We'll assume you're starting from the Town centre area.
Walk up Main Street. Carry on passed the Convent (Govenor's Residence). Keep going until you see the roundabout and arch (below). Go through the archway to the left of the one shown. (Southport Gates).
You'll then walk passed the Trafalgar Cemetary. Head left and up across a couple of road junctions (20m) using the pedestrian crossings and you'll be in the Alameda car park. The Cable Car and the main gates of the Alameda Botanical Gardens should be right in front of you.
Enjoy your visit.
Please don't forget to upload your photo's into our gallery or send them to us.
Let us know if you found our guide(s) useful and how we can improve them.
info@the-rock-of-gibraltar.com
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