First published: 22/09/17.

Clyde 2.0

Gorham's Cave Complex

Gorham's Cave Complex (Inscribed)

Gorham's Cave Complex by Clyde

I visited this WHS in September 2017. I arrived at La Linea at sunrise and parked my car at the closest indoor car park to the border named Fo-cona. Just a quick look at your passport by the Gibraltar customs officials and I made it through to Gibraltar.

I visited on a Sunday because I had booked the Gorham's cave and dolphin tour and missed out on visiting the Gibraltar Museum. I was rather disappointed as the only difference from any other dolphin tour is a short cruising by the inscribed cave complex and the recorded commentary. There's nothing spectacular or anything which you can't see from the viewing platform or pavement at Europa Advance Road - just a slightly different angle.

My next stop was in fact Europa Point. I bought the all day Hoppa bus ticket for 3 euros from the bus driver and stopped next to the mosque. From there I walked to the concrete viewing platform and climbed over the useless gate to enjoy the view (top left photo). Next to the closed info booth (still no information boards) is the UNESCO inscription plaque (bottom left photo). It's a pity that the Gibraltar politicians were quick on the mark to unveil the UNESCO plaque shortly after inscription but then were not able to supply some sort of make shift information board until the viewing platform project is finalised.

I kept on walking till Catalan bay to see different parts of the Gibraltar nature reserves and already from there I managed to spot the Barbary partridge and Barbary apes. There were Barbary Ape Management Officials guarding the main ring road and chasing the monkeys.

After walking back to Europa point, I headed uphill from behind the mosque past Jacob's Ladder and up the first flight of steps next to a covered swimming pool. After a few minutes, I arrived at Jew's Gate and paid the 1 euro nature reserve pass to hike up towards the Mediterranean Steps and O'Hara's Battery. I'd recommend this route upwards instead of downwards not only as it's easier on your knees but also because the views keep getting better and better until you reach the inscribed part on top. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring some water but apart from that the whole hike took less than two hours including photo stops at Goat's Hair Caves, from the different military remains which are now excellent spots to rest in the shade and from the top (bottom right photo).

Being quite close to Ape's Den, there were already some young Barbary apes (top right photo) at the top part of the Mediterranean Steps trail. Instead of walking back the same trail I headed towards the Top of the Rock viewing gallery for some great views and went down by cable car.

All in all, Gibraltar is worth visiting but Gorham's Cave Complex is just one of those WHS whose inscription is targeted more at attracting tourists to every territory or island (like the Balearics, Canaries, French extra-EU territories, etc.) rather than really contributing to any added value to the WH list.

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