If you've been planning to tackle the Mediterranean Steps on your next trip to Gibraltar, you'll want to read this before you go. On 31 May 2026, the Gibraltar Government closed the Med Steps with immediate effect following a significant rockfall on the upper section of the route.
The closure came after video circulating on social media showed a large boulder that had fallen onto the steep steps near the summit. Rather than wait, the Government acted quickly — and rightly so. The Med Steps are not the kind of place where you want to gamble on loose rock.
What happened?
A rockfall on the southern face of the Rock sent a substantial boulder crashing down onto the final stretch of the Med Steps. The section affected is one of the most exposed parts of the route — narrow, steep, and with significant drop-offs either side. The Gibraltar Government confirmed the closure would remain in place until a full structural assessment has been completed and any necessary mitigation works carried out.
Speaking after the closure, Environment Minister John Cortes confirmed that specialists would be brought in to inspect the affected area. He noted the closure was likely to last at least a few weeks, though no firm reopening date has been given.
"The temporary closure will remain in place until a full assessment has been carried out and any necessary mitigation works have been completed."
You can read the official statements from Gibraltar Chronicle and GBC News.
What are the Med Steps?
For those unfamiliar, the Mediterranean Steps are a hiking trail that climbs the southern and eastern face of the Rock of Gibraltar. It's one of the most spectacular walks in Europe — genuinely — with sheer drops into the Strait on one side and views stretching to Morocco on the other. The route passes through the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, past Barbary macaques, rare flora, and military heritage sites, before reaching the summit.
It's not a casual stroll. The steps are steep, uneven, and in places genuinely exposed. But for those who complete it, the reward is a view of two continents meeting at the edge of the Mediterranean that's difficult to find anywhere else on earth.
The Mediterranean Steps are closed indefinitely following a rockfall on 31 May 2026.
Visitors are asked to respect all closure notices, barriers, and signage in place throughout the Upper Rock Nature Reserve.
Alternative designated routes within the Reserve remain open. Updates will be provided by the Gibraltar Government as assessments progress.
Source: GBC News, 1 June 2026
Can you still visit the Upper Rock?
Yes — and this is important. The Med Steps closure does not mean the Upper Rock Nature Reserve is closed. The Reserve itself remains open, and the main attractions are fully accessible: St Michael's Cave, the Ape's Den, O'Hara's Battery, and the Great Siege Tunnels can all still be visited.
The closure applies specifically to the Mediterranean Steps hiking trail. If your plan was to hike up via the Steps, you'll need an alternative approach. The cable car, taxis, and guided tours up the Rock all continue to operate normally.
What to do instead
The most popular alternative is a guided taxi tour of the Upper Rock — your driver takes you through the Nature Reserve with stops at the main sites, and the views from the road are genuinely excellent. It's not the physical challenge of the Steps, but the panoramas are just as impressive.
For those who want a more active experience, Ride the Rock — our guided eBike tour of the Upper Rock — remains fully operational. You'll cover the same ground, reach the same viewpoints, and see the same wildlife, with the added advantage of a knowledgeable guide pointing out things most visitors walk straight past.
The Rock is still very much open.
One trail is closed. Everything else — private yacht charters on the Strait, dolphin watching, gin tastings, eBike tours of the Upper Rock, wine evenings in a centuries-old vault — is running exactly as it should be. Gibraltar does not disappoint.
See What's OnWhen will the Med Steps reopen?
There's no confirmed date yet. The assessment process takes time — specialists need to inspect the full extent of the rockfall, model the risk of further movement, and design any remedial works before the route can be declared safe. In previous closures of this type at the Upper Rock, timelines have ranged from a few weeks to several months depending on the scale of the work required.
We'll update this post as soon as official information is released. You can also follow the Gibraltar Chronicle and GBC News for the latest updates directly from Gibraltar.
Is it safe to visit Gibraltar?
Absolutely. The Med Steps closure is a precautionary measure for a specific trail on one face of the Rock — it has no bearing on the wider visitor experience in Gibraltar. The town, the beaches, the marina, the restaurants, and the vast majority of Upper Rock attractions are all operating completely normally.
Gibraltar remains one of the safest and most interesting destinations in Southern Europe. A rocky hillside closing a hiking trail for safety reasons is exactly the kind of responsible management you'd want to see.
If you're planning a trip and want to make the most of what's open — and there is a lot — we'd be happy to help put something together for you.