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Stunning views from La Concha.

In good weather, a walk to ‘La Concha’, also known as ‘the shell of Marbella’is a must. This mountain is the highest point (1,200 m) in the Marbella and Puerto Banús area. The mountain is located in the southernmost part of the Sierra Blanca mountain range, an offshoot of the Sierra de las Nieves. Stunning views from La Concha.

The hike’s starting point is at hotel-restaurant El Refugio de Juanar, a 20-minute drive via the A-355 from Finca La Toronja in Coín. Along the way, there are beautiful views of the typical andalusian white villages of Guaro and Monda.

Several walks at different levels near El Refugio de Juanar:

Various walks start from El Refugio de Juanar, which is located next to a beautiful forest. There are hikes of different levels to various viewpoints, so there is always a hike suitable for you.

– The walk to the ‘Mirador del Corzo’ (deer viewpoint), which is less than 500 metres from the Refugio.

– Very suitable for families with small children is the hike to the ‘Mirador del macho Montes’.

– Cruz de Juanar is another hike, slightly higher and further away from the viewpoint. Great views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and Morocco from here too. A pilgrimage to the Cruz de Juanar is held every year.

Enchanting views of the coastline, from Fuengirola to Gibraltar.

For the walk to ‘La Concha’ (the summit), first follow the path towards the Cortijo de Juanar. This walk takes you through a pine forest and then through olive groves to the ‘Mirador de Juanar’. From here begins the worst 500 metres of this hike; this is also called ‘Salto del Lobo’. The path is exposed to the wind, so be careful on stormy or rainy days. The path is quite narrow; in some places the path is only 50 cm wide. Therefore, this stretch is really not suitable for people with vertigo. Still, the trip is worthwhile if you dare to persevere. You can always stop and just return. In fact, when the weather is clear, from the top you have an enchanting view of the coastline, from Fuengirola to Gibraltar. Sometimes you get lucky and can even see the coastline of Africa.

Good preparation

The shorter hikes and those suitable for any level may not require much of your fitness. However, do you want to climb La Concha? Then – besides being in good shape – make sure you have shoes with good grip. The entire hike to the summit and back takes several hours, so make sure you also bring enough food and especially plenty of water. This will ensure that your challenging hike becomes an unforgettable memory!

A beautiful hike within easy reach of Finca La Toronja in Coín (Málaga).