Sierra Blanca, Ojén

The Hike to three Viewpoints 

Mirador del Corzo

Tajo Negro

Mirador Macho Montés

Prologue:

The fairly easy walk to the viewpoint Mirador de Corzo is approx. 1,5 km from the entrance gate. There you will have fantastic panoramic views of the town Marbella and the Mediterranean coast.

The 2,3 km hike along the south side of the mountain and to the top of Tajo Negro (1084 m) is certainly more challenging due the steep rocky terrain. But the views are breathtaking and if you are lucky you are able to come across some Spanish Ibex (Cabra de Montés) as they  climb effortless over the rock-face. 

After a steep decent you will reach the viewpoint Mirador Macho Montés,and a bronze statue of the Spanish Ibex which is the emblem of the Sierra Blanca, the walk back on a service road, is relaxing and easy.

The Sierra Blanca (white mountain) is so named because of the pale grey limestone rock which forms the massive. When you look towards the mountains behind Marbella (Costa del Sol), you will notice a pointed peak of the Sierra Blanca, east of La Concha, this being Cruz de Juanar. Belonging to the municipality of Ojén, a village just 10 minutes from Marbella town, Cruz de Juanar (1178) is also one of the very few peaks I know of in southern Spain which has a cross placed on it's highest point. 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).

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.

     Directions:

• From Marbella A-7 you drive in the direction Ojén A-355 and then on towards Coin.
• After approx. 10 km you turn left towards Refugio de Juanar
• The hotel Refugio de Juanar is about 5 km from the crossroad.
• The hotel has a car park, or you can drive further up until you come to a gate and you are able to leave your car there.   

  Click on the link below to view the map of the hike.

 Wikiloc: Mirador del Corzo, Tajo Negro, Mirador Macho Montés

• The Hike was 6,95 km, and easy to difficult depending on the terrain, circular route. The elevation differences are 265 meters from starting point of 834 m and up to the highest point of 1084 m above sea-level. 
• Note: Wear appropriate shoes and carry water with you. It is also advisable to carry a windproof jacket with you, as at this high altitude, it can be a few degrees cooler than on the coast, and clouds can also appear as if from nowhere.

The Hotel Refugio de Juanar used to be the hunting lodge of the Marqués de Larios at the beginning of the 20th century, and is just a 1/2 hour from Marbella and the Coast. 

Many prominent visitors have chosen to stay in el Refugio de Juanar and to enjoy the peace and tranquility in these privileged natural surroundings. King Alfonso XIII was invited to hunt on one occasion and General Charles de Gaulle finished writing his memoirs here in 1970.

                        

About 500 meters from the entrance gate on the left side, you find an information board explaining the various hiking trails in this part of the Sierra Blanca.

 It is here where the track leads to the viewpoint "Mirador del Corzo".

First, we took the far left track which led us through an ancient pine forest.

Some trees have grown in unique ways.

The European black pine (Pino negro) is a variable species of pine to be found across the southern Mediterranean, from Spain in the west, to the Anatolian peninsula of Turkey in the east, also including Corsica, Cyprus, the Crimea and the high mountains of the Maghreb Morocco North Africa. It can reach a height of 40 meters.

After 300 meters we come to a clearing with a drinking fountain for animals which helps them through the driest time of the year.

Through the trees we glimpse the white lime stone peak of "Cerro Nicolás".

A view across the mountain pass "Puerto de la Viborilla".

We turn back to the crossroad and we follow a narrow footpath.

  

This leads us strait up to the viewpoint "Mirador del Corzo".

From here we get a better view of "Cerro Nicolás"

Ahead of us the viewpoint.

Just a few steps to climb.

And we are blessed with fantastic views.

Deep down the village of Ojen.

A view across to the peak of "Cruz de Juanar".

After descending, approx 100 meters from the viewpoint we turn left

and follow the sign towards "Tajo Negro".

We walk again through an ancient pine forest.

Here we notice again, trees which have grown in strange ways.

This fallen tree makes a good resting place and to take in the views.

We look eastwards and towards the Mediterranean coast.

We carry on and steadily follow the path uphill.

The yellow flowers of the Gorse bush more commonly known as Broom, fills the air with a sweet scent in springtime.

The Genista or Gorse bush is thorny shrub of  up to 2 meters, is widespread in Southern Spain and in springtime whole hillsides and mountain slopes are covered with the yellow bloom. 

Gorse or Broom, Aulaga, Genista scorpius

The higher we get the rockier the path becomes.

Every so often we stop, not only to get our breath back but to linger on the views.

The coastal views of Fruengriola and Mijas Costa. 

This views take you back towards the "Mirador del Corzo".

Close up photo of the viewpoint.

Steadily we walk on along the mountain slope.

Way poles are an assuring sight.

The untamed nature of the Sierra Blancas.

A view towards the east.

Close up photo of the village Ojen.

From this height the village of Ojen is seen as a white spec amidst the green.

The eastern part of the town Marbella with the landmarks of the Golf course Rio Real, the tower-block of La Torre and the former hotel of Incasol.

The peak we are aiming for.

Costa del Sol below us.

 The "Mirador del Corzo" just a mark in the distance.

A lizard enjoys the winter sun.

The natural elements have formed the limestone like Swiss cheese through time.

A small Rosemary bush amidst the grey rock.

It is amazing to find dainty plants flowering in this sparse landscape.

A bulbous plant found a foothold in a cranny.

A view east along the coast and towards Málaga. 

On clear days you are able to see the snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

Below, the village of Ojen, with Mijas Costa and the Bay of Fuengirola on the horizon.

To the north, the plains of Juanar with  olive groves all the way ! 

In this rocky terrain a way pole is a welcoming sight.

The white spec is a quarry near Coín and beyond the Guadalhorce valley.

Piled up stones keep you on the right track.

We have reached the top at approx 1000 meter above sea-level.

Breathtaking 360º views!

Deep ravines run down from the top of the Sierra Blanca towards the coast.

Birdseye views of the town Marbella.

 Our next destination "Tajo Negro" is at the far end of the mountain ridge.

We hardly can see the track we came on.

A view towards the Sierra de las Nieves, 

in the center the highest peak of Torrecilla (1919 m).

Steadily we follow the trail westwards.

After a small descent we enter into a forest of moss and lichen covered trees.

Before the next climb we admire the panorama.

The top is our destination "Tajo Negro".

A radio mast is placed on the highest point. 

Standing here we are happy with our achievement.

It felt like being on top of the world.

Just breathtaking!

Birdseye views of the Mediterranean coast and the town of Marbella.

Across from here, Cruz de Juanar, Pico Lastonar and at the far end La Concha.

The plains of Juanar with the olive grove and in the background the Sierra de las Nieves.

A view towards the east.

It is hard to make out the track we just came on.

As we make our decent we have to have the eyes set firmly on the ground,

because the terrain is very steep and you have to be sure of your footing.

Dramatic landscape when seen from here.

Birdseye view of Marbella.

A view south and towards the Straits of Gibraltar which are visible on clear days.

 We reach the tree line again.

We walk through an area of sandstone.

Below us the bronze statue of the emblematic "Macho Montés".

The guardian of the Sierra Blanca.

Deep down the viewpoint, it is not far to go now.

The sign reads that this is the end of the walkway.

A last look up  before we make our way back to the car.

From now on it is an easy walk on a service road.

A large beetle of 3 cm  crossed our way.

A view back towards the viewpoint "Mirador de Macho Montés".

From the viewpoint it is a relaxing 2 km walk back to the entrance gate where we left our car.

The road leads us through an olive grove.

How to get to Refugio de Juanar

Related Blog:From Refugio de Juanar to the peak of La Concha

A Hike to the peak of Cruz de Juanar