Just half an hours drive from the busy Costa del Sol and you are in a different world where some great walking and hiking opportunities exist far above the sparkling waters of the mediterranean. Today we were climbing up La Concha (1243m), which is really an interesting series of lumps on a long rocky ridge far above the sea.
The rocky traverse north on La Concha
Drive north from Marbella towards Monda and a few kilometres past the town of Ojén there is a turning to the left marked "Refugio Juanar". This is only 20 minutes drive from the centre of Marbella.
After a 5km drive, on a rough but tarmac road suitable for saloon cars, we parked at the delightful Refugio Juanar. The name "refugio" is a misnomer as its a really nice hotel set in the forest. The way leads initially on forest roads before we took a short detour to visit the Mirador del Corzo with a spectacular view down to the costa and surrounding hills. Then it was on through more pastoral scenery amid olive groves before entering pine forests again.
Near the start of the walk
We were accompanied by our "expert guide", Juan Carlos. Juan Carlos has been walking these hills for many years and speaks excellent english. He is very knowlegable and enthusiastic about the Sierra Blanca.
It was hot work climbing up through the pine forests on well marked tracks before coming out on the 1000m col and taking a rising traverse on the south side of the main ridgeline. This led back to the crest where we had superb views northwards to the white rocked Sierra de las Nieves. From here the path became more interesting as it rounded a rocky summit (Salto del Lobo) via a spectacularly situated path which led to the Paso del Salto del Lobo (in my spanish serves me correctly this means "Pass of the Wolf Jump" for some reason?
High up closing on the summit of La Concha
Then it was onto another rising traverse before we arrived at the Mirador de la Concha, a great place for a rest and refreshments. Then came to the best bit of the day... the "Camino del Lobo". Here the ridge narrows and has lots of small twists and turns. There is some simple scrambling with incredible "birds eye" views in all directions.
To the north the green lush valleys and mountains near Istan contrasting with the sparkling mediterranean sea to the south. The ridge leads to the summit of La Concha where we admired the rock of Gibraltar on the western skyline.
It's a simple matter to reverse the route but if it hadn't been so hot we would have tried some circular route. However the welcome coolness of the pine forests and a cold beer at the Refugio de Juanar were calling us!
Total distance covered was 16km with a height gain of 500m.This is a great day walk and well worth it for the spectacular views of mountains and sea.