A Hike from Montua to Mirador del Macho Montes, Juanar
Prologue:
You find this trail very close to Marbella town, Málaga Province, in the Sierra Blanca region. La Concha (the Seashell) 1270 m. is the emblematic peak which overlooks Marbella and the Costa del Sol. It is the 2nd highest summit of the Sierra Blanca mountain range. Pico Lastonar (1275 m) is the highest followed closely by Salto de Lobo (1225 m) and Cruz de Juanar (1178 m).
The Sierra Blanca (white mountain) is so named because of the pale grey limestone rock which forms the massive. A great variety of flora and fauna can be found in the valleys and on the slopes. Cabra Montes (Spanish Ibex) roam the higher rocky slopes, many types of birds can also be found here including Bonelli eagles, Buzzards, Kestrels and many more.
The hike to the Viewpoint Macho Montes, Juanar from Marbella is quite challenging, because you have 722 meters in altitude difference to cover, both ways. But the panoramic views along the way more than compensate. The track is well sign posted and easy to follow.
Directions:
- When coming on the motorway Autopista AP-7 in Marbella, take the turning towards Ojén A-355.
- At 750 meters turn left by the Cemetery onto Calle Chorreadero, after approx. 500 meters turn right before the restaurant La Casacada (The Waterfall) and follow the small forest road for about 200 meters.
- You can see the waterfall of the stream Arroyo de las Represas near the road by the restaurant.
The Hike itinerary:
- It is a 6,5 km one way hike to the viewpoint Mirador Macho Montes/Juanar.
- The elevation difference is a approx. 610 meters.
- The Viewpoint lays at 911 meters above sea level.
- Make sure you have plenty of water and good walking shoes.
The route Marbella - Juanar carries on beyond the chain.
Ahead of us the Sierra Blanca.
A little natural fountain on the right side.
We pass an old tree stump.
A sign telling you that the mountain goat "la cabra montesa" which you can see here, is a protected species and you shall respect their habitat.
At first the forest road slopes gently upwards.
The flower of the Giant fennel (Ferula communis)
At about 1.5 km, the road turns into a foot path and it gets rockier and steeper.
Ahead of us, a very interesting rock structure with caves.
We climb upwards over some ancient steps.
Wind and rain has formed this Karst rock over centuries.
At this height we were able to see the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon.
In springtime you are able to see may different types of wildflowers. Some of the species including rare Orchids, can only be found in this region.
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| Montpellier Cistus, Jaguarzo negro, (Cistus monspelensis) |
Various types of rookroses (Cistaceae) with white, purple and pink flowers.  |
| Grey leafed Rock-rose, Jara blanca, (Cistus albidus) |
We reach a reservoir.
The views are stunning from here.
Deep down the town of Marbella.
The path follows along side the water pipe, upwards.
This karst rock-face makes an ideal place to practice your climbing skills.
A glimpse of Marbella and the coast.
A view through Esparto Grass.
Lush valleys lead up towards the peaks of the Sierra Blanca mountains.
A birds-eye view!
Mediterranean Dwarf palm
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| Mediterranean Dwarf palm, Palmera enana (Chamaerops humilis) |
Also called European Fan palm is a shrub like cluster palm and the northernmost naturally occurring palm in the world and the only native one to the Iberian peninsula and the Balearic. It is a very hardy slow growing palm (2-5m), drought tolerant and can withstand cold temperatures (up to -12ºC of the high elevations of the Sierras of Southern Spain and the Atlas mountains/Morocco), but does prefer hot summers.
A view along the deep valley towards the coast of Marbella.
The hollow crevasses make an ideal place for nesting birds.
The footpath follows along side the pipe.
This image gives you an idea of the incline.
A place to take 5, and enjoy the scenery.
On clear days you are able to see as far as the north African coast.
Every now and again we stopped
to get our breath back
and admire the views.
And upwards we go again.
This rock reminds us, that iron ore was mined here in these hills.
El Peñoncillo Mine
In the early XIX century, a famous business man Manuel Augustin Heredia, opened the mine, and later a British mining company worked the mine from 1872 until 1911, where a railway is still visible on the landscape, transporting ore to the port of the city. A mooring tower in the bay of Marbella, is still standing.
It is astonishing to see how plants can grow in this rocky terrain.
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| Montpellier Cistus, Jaguarzo negro, (Cistus monspelensis) |
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| Grey leafed Rock-rose, Jara blanca, (Cistus albidus) |
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| Blue Scarlet pimpernel, Murrajes, (Anagallis arvensis) |
The vegetation is lush and varied in this part of the Sierra Blanca.
Ahead of us the peak of Cruz de Juanar (1178 m).
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| Tassel hyacinth, Leopoldia comosa, (Muscari comosum) |
This plant is trying to reach for the sky.
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| Giant fennel, Cañabeja, (Ferula communis) |
A derelict house is slowly been taken over by nature!
The peak of "Cruz de Juanar" in front of us.
Gran Recorrido GR 249 "Gran Senda de Málaga"
We find ourselves on the "Great Circular Route or Great Pathway of Málaga", which unites the villages in Málaga Province.
The village of Ojen is 8,1 km from here and to Marbella it is 8,9 km.
About halfway we found a natural spring and it made an ideal place to rest.
This spot was very lush and the pine trees were standing very tall.
Black pine (Pinus negra) can reach a height of 40 meters.
Along the way we noticed various carob trees, (Algarrobo) which grow wildly here. They are native to the Mediterranean region, North Africa and the Middle East. In some area they are cultivated for their edible bean pods and formerly used as animal fodder for donkeys and horses.
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| Carob tree, Algarrobo (Ceratonia siliqua) |
The pods were an important source of sugar before sugarcane and sugar beet became widely available. In various countries they are used to make syrups, they are added to cakes and biscuits and even as a chocolate substitute. If you chew on the pods itself, not the seeds, you will find it really taste like chocolate.
The scent of Rosemary bushes fill the air.
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| Sword lily or Field gladiolus, Gladiolo, (Gladiolus italicus) |
This plant has delicate sky blue flowers.
It looks like a type of blue eyed grass.
In moist areas you will find succulents, moss and lichen growing between rocks.
Walking through a dense fern forest.
This stretch is not as steep and we can relax more.
A final climb, we hope.
On our left the peak of Cruz de Juanar.
As we stepped into the open again, we were able to see the coast of Marbella.
On the horizon towards the right a glimpse of the north African coast and (Jebel Musa).
This stretch of the foot path is very sandy.
Cruz de Juanar and beyond some higher peaks of the Sierra Blanca.
This old tree still has some life!
The track seems less strenuous now.
Some markings on the rock tell you, that you are on the right way.
Many hands have collected stones for this large pile.
In the undergrowth we discover a most strange looking plant.
This plant looks like purple asparagus.
We are looking up to find our destination, the Viewpoint.
Surely we must be there soon!
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| Yellow rock-rose, Jara blanca, Cistaceae |
This herbal plant has a very strong scent.
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| Goldilocks or Curry plant, Perpetua silvestre, (Helichrysum stoechas) |
This Pine tree is full of cones.
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| Black Pine, Pinus negra |
The sky is touchingly near.
Amazing to see this beautiful flower growing at this altitude.
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| Wild Iris, Lirio silvestre, (Iris filifolia) |
It is also known as "Narrow leafed Purple Iris", and it can also be found in Southwestern Spain in the Sierra de Mijas, Sierra de Nieves, Sierra Bermeja, Sierra Crestellina and Gibraltar and in the mountains near Tangier, Morocco, North Africa.
The white limestone rock in contrast to the vivid green of trees and shrubs.
A view along the valley and whence we came.
On clear days you would be able to see the North African coast.
In the haze and between two ridges we are just able to make out the
Rock of Gibraltar.
Just a glimpse of the Moroccan Reef mountains and Jebel Musa.
Panoramic view!
And on we wander upwards.
Cruz de Juanar to the left.
The final stretch!
We have reached the point "Puerto de Marbella".
We are standing here at a high plateau of Juanar.
Just a few meters more and we have reached the viewpoint
"Mirador del Macho Monte".
The plaque on the rock reads, National Hunting Reserve
"Reserva National de Caza de la Serranía de Ronda".
There he is standing, high on a rock, the Spanish Ibex
"Macho Montes".
The views fully compensate for the strenuous walk up.
This is the End of the Pathway!
Birdseye view of the town of Marbella
Some stone benches invite you to take a rest
or to admire the panoramic views.
The viewpoint "Mirador Macho Montes".
I climbed up a narrow path to take a closer look at the bronze statue.
The plaque pays homage to people who dedicate their lives to the preservation of national hunting reserves. Ojen May 1993
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| En homeje a las personas que dedican su vida a la conservacion de las reservas nacionales de caza. Ojen Mayo 1993 |
The views are just magnificent!
We returned the same way we came.
We are pleased to have done this walk at last and we have no regrets.
Map of the route: Marbella - Juanar
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