Walk 4 - Juanar to La Concha

Simply Superb - 11k with height gain of 500m. 6 hours. Hard. Prickle Factor low.

I’ve already praised this walk so will simply explain that I have increased the height gain because that on the map takes no account of the numerous ups and downs.

From Juanar take the main dirt track to the dirt track right past the old Juanar refugio to left turn at a signpost going up through the woods to reach the ridge. The path left takes you to the Cruz and is used on the return. That right leads round the shoulder of 1212 and to the gentle slope of Salto del Lobo.

You’ll soon find why it doesn’t go up but instead turns right of it descending slightly to take you semi-precariously across the face of Salto’s huge cliff. A fine situation calling for steady nerves. Easy enough but not for those with a fear of heights. The path continues on by-passing the hills on their left until La Concha and its ridges comes into sight and the path turns left and, at a cairn, goes slightly down and across another small rock band (same comments as last time!).

A signpost now indicates you can go down to Istan on a path not shown on the map (see walk 5) but you should carry on along the very tops of all the rocks to reach Concha’s summit. There are usually tracks below the ridge on one side or the other just as there are on Striding Edge – but you wouldn’t want to use these would you?

A hundred metres further along is a slightly lower summit perched on top of the huge cliffs and giving fine views of the Embalse de la Concepcion, Istan and, possibly, Gibralter (and Morocco?). A fine spot for lunch.

Return to the signpost which indicates that Juanar is straight up. And so it is, thus avoiding the traverse on the right! It is also a good idea to go up the next hill to the cairned summit of El Lastonar as this is probably 1273m and thus the highest point of the Sierra Blanca. Continue straight on down its rounded ridge to rejoin the path just before Salto (very, very prickly - last time I did it we returned the way we'd gone up).

On reaching the path descending to go round Salto’s cliffs you will note a faint track (X) leading straight on. Take this red rag to a bull to reach the ledged cliffs only a few metres right of its vertical edge. The earth shows obvious signs of people passing and although the first two ledges are quite high up the holds are huge and the scrambling is easy. Once on them the ledges are so wide that there is no fear of falling. The rest of the scramble is simple. There are one or two obvious lines with earth/vegetation markings confirming the way, and, all too soon, a marker proclaiming you’re on Salto del Lobo is reached.

This is for some odd reason well below the summit and you can walk on top of the gently rising summit ridge on a very minor Striding Edge in a fabulous location – the fall right is a few inches but that off left is horrendous – so, please, don’t! Straight on to rejoin the path – a minor track can be found. Slightly prickly!

I don’t recommend going over the next hill (1212) as its very prickly (see Walk 5) so its straight on and up to the summit of Cruz de Juanar – it takes under 15 minutes from where it leaves your ascent route. The cross is a magnificent viewpoint of the area, Marbella and the Med so a photo break and second lunch are indicated. There used to be a summit book but that went a couple of years ago.

You will find the descent zig-zags looking over towards the Puerto de Marbella in the east. Going down them is the worst part of the day. After that its left down the main dirt track back to your car.


Click on the picture to enlarge - then on the back button to return

Summit of the Cruz de Juanar	Salto de Lobo - scramble up the right side - the path can just be seen crossing on the left	The ridge to La Concha	The magnificent La Concha