Marbella is a destination with so much more to offer than beaches, pools and nightlife.  For something more active there are plenty of choices.  If you’re into hiking La Concha in Marbella is one of the best hikes around, as well as one of the key landmarks of the area. It has a distinctive ‘shell like’ shape which is visible from almost anywhere along the coast and is in fact a 1215 metre limestone peak.

You will need to relatively fit and used to the great outdoors to do this, but if you have a decent level of fitness and are in good health, hiking La Concha is very achievable. The amount of time it takes to climb it ranges from under 3 hours for the professionals, but 4 hours each way is a realistic time frame if you’re in good shape but want to take some breaks and enjoy the view.

When hiking La Concha the route is varied and starts at the Refugio de Juanar refuge, which is on the road between Marbella and the village of Ojén. You walk through a pine forest and then continue to a valley of olive trees, heading towards the Cruz de Juanar peak.

At this point you veer north through a different pine forest before you begin the main part of the ascent.

La Concha is clearly signposted and the trail becomes a pathway which is a mix of sand and rock alongside ridge. On one side you will be able to see the Costa del Sol coastline as well as the Rock of Gibraltar.  On an especially clear day you may be able to see the North African coast.

You then continue west with a short along short descent and then a more steep ascent. This is the most challenging part of hiking La Concha and it is wise to use either walking poles or your hands.  The last part is on level terrain where you can once again see the coastline as well as the Istán reservoir.

As with all hiking, it is important to take advise, and bear in mind the weather and general conditions.  You should go prepared with all the required equipment as well as plenty of water and sunscreen.

Photos from Pixelbay and Tripadvisor.