Gibraltar Peak is one of the more popular walks in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, offering a peaceful trail with some nice views from the top.
Where is it? The Gibraltar Peak track is located within Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, roughly a 45-minute drive south-west of Canberra.
Getting there: Make your way to the Dalsetta car park in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. There are several walks that begin from this area, but the Gibraltar Peak track is clearly marked on the information boards and trail signs.
The walk: I started the walk at around 8am on a cool morning in May, so the track was fairly quiet, although it can get busier later in the day and during warmer weather.
The trail is well maintained and easy to follow, with clear signage throughout. The climb is steady for most of the walk, but it never feels overly steep or exhausting. Towards the top, the path becomes a little rockier, so it’s definitely worth wearing decent hiking shoes with good grip.
If you’re comfortable with heights, there are some spectacular lookout points near the summit with steep views down across the surrounding bushland. My legs get a little shaky and palms sweaty when it comes to heights, so I was happy to keep some distance from the edge while still enjoying the view.
It’s always nice to see some wildlife on a hike and there were a number of kangaroos down the bottom and there were plenty of vocal birds. It is recommended to do the walk with someone in case something happens, but I did the walk solo, so suit yourself. Also, there is very limited mobile reception in the area. I am with Optus and had zero service the entire walk, which was actually kind of nice.
Verdict: With the well-maintained track, peaceful climb and scenic views, it’s easy to see why Gibraltar Peak is a popular spot for a hike for Canberrans.
- Distance: 8.2km return
- Time: 2.5-3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate-hard
- Rating: 8/10
