Martin's Path

Martin's Path is a footpath with cut steps in the Upper Rock of Gibraltar, leading up from the lower slopes to Martin's Cave.

The path starts on the south western slopes of the Rock gently above the derelict Levant Battery near Jews' Gate Cemetery and proceeds to its first bend as the path turns to the east side of the Rock where it joins Mediterranean Steps. The Steps head up to the very summit of the Rock, but Martin's Path continues to Martin's Cave.

Though the path is open to the public, access to the cave is barred.

History

Martin's Cave is behind a padlocked gate

In 1821, a soldier named Martin discovered the cave which was to bear his name. According to an 1829 account, the soldier had been "wandering about the summit of the Rock somewhat inebriated" and was absent from that evening's muster. He was feared to have fallen over the precipice and to have been dashed to pieces on the rocks below. Three days after disappearing, however, he reappeared with torn and dirty clothes and a haggard appearance. He had indeed fallen but had landed on a narrow ledge in front of the entrance to the cave, before being rescued.

The cave was not easily accessible, having been found only by accident and a potentially fatal fall. The Royal Engineers then cut a narrow path up to Martin's Cave, which was accordingly named Martin's Path. A visitor described the perilous journey to get to the cave a few years after it was discovered:

The path which we are obliged to traverse in order to get to it, is one of considerable difficulty and danger. We left our horses in charge of a servant half a mile from the cave, and proceeded along a narrow ledge, formed by art and with much labor, about three feet wide, until we reached the desired spot ... The south end and all the eastern side of Gibraltar is – or rather had been deemed, inaccessible, as it rises perpendicularly from the sea, and presents to the eye no ledges or asperities to encourage one to ascend or descent it, no matter what might be his inducement.