Sierra Blanca

The Trail from Istán up to La Concha

Prologue:

La Concha (1270 m) meaning the "Seashell Peak" is the mountain overlooking Marbella. It is is the second highest summit of the Sierra Blanca (White Range) which is so named because of its karstic, limestone rock. The Sierra Blanca is located between the coast and the Sierra de las Nieves and in the municipalities of Istán, Marbella, Ojen and Monda. 

We took the route from the mountain village of Istán. Maybe the easier route would be the one coming from Refugio de Juanar a few km past Ojen.  

Istán is 40 minutes drive from Marbella. It is a small picturesque village nestling in a lush valley overlooking the Reservoir of La Concepcíon.   

     Directions:

• You reach the mountain village of Istán coming from Marbella A-7  in direction Cádiz, when taking the exit just after the tunnel on the right hand side onto the road A-7176. 
• The journey takes you about 40 minutes. 
• The hike starts just behind the hotel near the sport center.
• We hiked for 5 hours (3 up 2 down) with a break. 
• Good shoes and long long trousers are advisable and plenty of water of course.

The village of Istán is at the foothills to Sierra Blanca

At the beginning of the trail you find an information board describing 3 different routes.

50 m to the right up a path a weather worn sign points to the rather overgrown trail.

The footpath leads up the hill.  

Especially in Springtime the flora is plentiful and you find a great variety of wild flowers.

Soon you leave the village behind and the houses become smaller.

At times you find a rock painted which indicates the way.

At other times and very often on this route you only find some stones piled up to indicate that you are on the right track.

On the path we noticed some crystal rock which we haven't seen before.

A good place to get your breath back and look down onto the lake.

La Concepcíon is also known as Rio Verde Reservoir,

 it was built in 1971 and it supplies the 450 000 inhabitants of the 
Costa del Sol with drinking water.

  

Far below you see the road which leads towards the village.

At times you have to take care not to lose the way.

We decided to pile up some stones on the side of the path as other hikers have done before us.

A painted pole signalled us that we are on the right track.

The panoramic views are stunning.

The summit is getting closer.

Halfway up we reached a plateau.

La Concepcíon Reservoir 

Volume: 56hm3

Surface Area: 214 ha

Altitude above sea level: 106,55 meter 

Height from riverbed: 89,55 meters - 70 meters

In the distance you can see Monte Mayor and further on the 

Sierra Bermejas

The white peaks of Sierra de las Nieves come into view.

Deep down you just about can make out the white village of Istán.

We were blessed with a glimpse of a Spanish Ibex (Cabra Montes) 

    looking down at us.

We reached our picnic spot at about 1000 meters. 

Sitting here gave us the feeling of being part of the mountains.

Sitting between the rocks we admired the views.

Below you just can make out the track that leads further up to the summit which we will leave for another day. 

How to get to Istán

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