La Concha - a majestic mountain located near the center of Marbella and part of the national Park Natural Sierra de Las Nieves (Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves). A huge mountain range is clearly visible from many points of Marbella.
The most famous and desirable point of La Concha mountain, which offers stunning panoramic views of the entire Marbella, Estepona and Gibraltar was her peak, Pico de La Concha (Pico de la Concha). The height of the Pico de La Concha is 1 215 meters above sea level.
Pico de la Concha - the top of La Concha mountain with steep slopes, it is there that there is a small observation deck, which so attracts all hiking enthusiasts.
The ascent to the peak of La Concha - the pedestrian route, which runs along mountain trails, ridges and rocky slopes. The ascent may be made at any time of the year. However, it is not advised to ascend to the peak of La Concha in the rain and after the rain, the mountain trails become slippery and the route more dangerous.
The ascent to the peak of La Concha can be achieved by two routes:
1. The Northern route. Passing along the North slope of the mountain. This route originates from the Istana, which is a 40-minute drive from the centre of Marbella. Of the two routes this is the easiest and short. Its length is 5.6 kilometers in one direction.
2. South route. Passing along the southern slope of the mountain range. This route originates near the center of Marbella, so it can be reached on foot from Marbella. This route is more complicated, there are a couple of dangerous sections passing along steep cliffs, where there is only an abyss below you, and in order to stay on your feet, you will have to hold on tightly to the safety chains.
In this article we will tell you about the second - South pedestrian route to Pico de La Concha from the centre of Marbella.
As already mentioned, the route is difficult, or rather difficult and sometimes dangerous in the second half, while the first passes through a mountainous forest strip, where there are wide trails and dense vegetation. The first half of the route may be suitable for walking with children.
For the route is required comfortable closed shoes with a firm non-slip sole. Pants by way of lots of low-growing thorny plants. Jacket and hands free (the backpack). You need clean drinking water, something to eat, you can grab wet wipes, you’ll probably get your hands dirty, a camera and preferably a phone with a navigator.
The length of the route from the historical center of Marbella is approximately 12.5 kilometers one way. Of which, about 9.3 passes directly through the highlands.
From the historical center of Marbella, approximately 3.2 kilometers to the start of the route. We follow through the bus station, further along Calle Padre Paco Ostos to the second automobile ring, then along Conjunto Residencial el Trapiche going all the way towards Montois, past residential buildings along Chorreadero, until We will leave for a small car park and information stand, on which all possible routes will be marked.
Further to the left and a little bit more along the road to the barrier. If you are in a car, you can leave the car here. Further the path is only on foot.
Along the way there will be signs, getting lost is almost impossible.
Walking along this route you can also visit the observation deck Juanar (Mirador de Juanar) with height 1 184 meters above sea level, first one way, and then diverges. To ascend Juanar can be much faster, and the path is quite easy, suitable as a walk with school-age children. During our ascent we met a group of schoolchildren accompanied by two adult men, they ascended just on Juanar.
There are also two paths to the peak of La Concha, almost at the beginning the paths will diverge, and then merge again. One way, about a kilometer shorter than the other, but less convenient. You can navigate by signs.
On the peak of La Concha we went a long way, and returned a shorter, thus learning both routes.
The first half way to the peak of La Concha was held at forest mountain range, so the path is very easy and the trail is quite wide
Escalada Puerto Rico, an impressive rocky place, here we met some of the conquerors of the cliffs.
The way up is not difficult, only silence, fresh air, green trees and thorns. What to say - a natural idyll in all its pristine glory.
We go and wait, when those picturesque panoramic views about which we read will begin to open. And here we have the first panoramas, which are not yet so direct that “Ohhh ... Uhhhh!” But, nevertheless, they bring variety.
Ahead we see these seemingly impregnable peaks. We look at the navigator on the phone and do not believe that we have to overcome some of them...
The trail become more narrow and "extreme" (extreme in quotes, because quite decent for beginners)
Clouds are getting closer and the views are getting more beautiful
We reach a fork, one road leads to Juanar, it leaves to the right and we did not go there, and the second - to the peak of La Concha. By the way, other, shorter paths lead to the Juanar observation deck, you can find out about them on the map that was at the beginning of the route.
Here he is Juanar, we admire only from afar.
We turn and go on to the peak of La Concha
The unsurpassed beauty of the mountain peaks. You can admire for hours, while taking a hundred photos
We reach the first really dangerous area. There will have to work not only feet, but hands.
Someone is already returning
Look carefully at your feet, without being distracted entirely by the scenic views and photos
We overcome a small segment of the path, holding onto the stretched chains, and under the legs there is a cliff
A look back: "And that's what we just passed..."
Having overcome a difficult section of the route, the gaze, on both sides of the mountain, offers picturesque panoramic views: both in the palm of Marbella, the sea and mountain peaks. Yes, it was worth going for that!
We continue our way
We reach a small viewing platform near the peak of Lastonar (Pico del Lastonar). The height of the peak of Lastonar above sea level 1 275 meters. To the peak of La Concha is still approximately an hour's journey.
Further, it was necessary to overcome another difficult section of the route with a strained safety chain, and then along the ridge to the end point of the route is the peak of La Concha.
Dusk began to fall. Dusk in the month of December comes early and thickens quickly. We left at 11 o'clock in the afternoon, walked slowly, so until the moment when the sun began to set managed to reach only this place. Further, the path was cut off to us. It was necessary to go out on a route early in the morning, well, or move faster, without: admire there, take a picture of yourself, turn back, see what "around the corner", etc.
Back already come down on the uncomfortable mountain trail. Full darkness found us for 3 kilometers to the exit of the forest zone. Frankly, it was creepy. Barking dogs echo coming from all sides, so much so that it is unclear where dogs, they are close or far, forced us to take up sticks and stones. And the small snake (not poisonous know, but I think not) crawled out to bask in the last rays of the sun, made us not the best idea. So our advice to all those who decide to conquer La Concha from the centre of Marbella is to go early in the morning!
Despite all the barriers (we didn’t reach the peak itself and the thickening darkness on the way back), we can confidently say one thing: “The climb was worth it, the picturesque views and adrenaline did their job - it was one of the most beautiful hikes that we managed commit at the moment! ".
