La Concha is a mountain that rises majestically above Marbella, providing it with a unique and pleasant microclimate. From the summit, you can admire the city, the Mediterranean Sea, and even the coast of Africa. Here, you can also see what picturesque autumn looks like in the Spanish mountains. Read on to find out why the summit of La Concha is so special and how it became the star of this year’s WOŚP Grand Finale on the Costa del Sol.
What will you read about in this article?
- What La Concha peak is famous for
- What you can see from this mountain
- How to climb La Concha peak
- About the unique WOŚP auction
La Concha: an iconic peak on the Costa del Sol
La Concha is the main peak of the Sierra Blanca, which is not only the highest point in the region, but above all a magnet for tourists. Rising to a height of 1,215 meters above sea level, it is the iconic peak of the Sierra Blanca and the undisputed symbol of Marbella. This distinctive mountain, whose name in Spanish means “shell” due to its specific shape, resembling a shell when viewed from the west, has been inspiring and attracting tourists seeking unique places in the heart of Andalusia for decades.
It is La Concha that plays a key role in creating Marbella’s unique microclimate. The mountain protects the city from sudden weather changes and winds from the north, providing residents with a specific microclimate. Winters are mild, and summers, despite high temperatures, are pleasant thanks to the mountain’s influence on air circulation. Marbella’s location at the foot of the mountain limits sudden weather changes, and summer temperatures are more bearable than in other regions.
La Concha is the highest peak of the Sierra Blanca mountain range, so named because of its characteristic white slopes, sparsely covered with vegetation. The southern slope of the mountain drops steeply towards the sea and the city of Marbella, creating a difference in altitude of over a thousand meters. The Sierra Blanca range, including La Concha, is mainly composed of limestone. This not only gives the mountain its whitish color, but also creates unique rock formations and karst phenomena – typical for this type of rock.
Admiring the beautiful views and nature
Seasoned hikers can reach the summit of La Concha in just 2-3 hours. The characteristics of the mountain and the areas around Marbella mean that during the climb, we can admire the view of the sea and the green valleys and mountain ranges stretching inland. In October, you can experience the autumn atmosphere in the mountains – almost unknown in evergreen Marbella. At the turn of October and November, edible chestnuts are harvested here. It is also a much better time for climbing than the summer months, as it is simply too hot then.
La Concha is home to a variety of flora and fauna characteristic of the Mediterranean climate. Along the trail, you can observe numerous plant species, including cork oaks, wild olive trees, and various species of birds and mammals. The vegetation on La Concha includes chestnut trees, cherry trees, ferns, olive trees, Spanish firs, and Aleppo, radiata, and maritime pines. The fauna includes golden eagles, Bonelli’s eagles, hawks, peregrine falcons, griffon vultures, genets, badgers, mountain goats, roe deer, martens, foxes, wild boars, and rabbits.
La Concha Peak is inextricably linked to the history and legends of the region, especially the nearby Cruz de Juanar Peak (1,178 m above sea level). According to local tradition, its name comes from dramatic events centuries ago involving local sailors. When they found themselves in mortal danger during a storm at sea, and their compass became useless due to thick fog, they began to pray to Our Lady of Mount Carmel for help.
Then, unexpectedly, the peak of Cruz de Juanar appeared on the horizon, allowing them to find their way back. In gratitude for this miraculous rescue, the sailors erected an iron cross from the wreckage of their ship. Today, there is a small chapel dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of sailors, and every year on May 1, the “Día de la Cruz de Juanar” is celebrated, when residents make wishes at the cross and attend Mass.
See also:
33rd WOŚP Grand Finale on the Costa del Sol. We broke the fundraising record again
Marbella is the best place in Europe according to travelers
Visit the most beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol
See you on the trail!
One of the trails leading to La Concha starts at the Refugio de Juanar mountain refuge, located between Marbella and Ojén. Charles de Gaulle wrote part of his memoirs here. The refuge is the starting point for climbing La Concha. This historic place originally belonged to the Marquises of Larios and was a former palace and a favorite hunting lodge for monarchs and presidents. It is worth visiting the local restaurant, which serves excellent game during the hunting season, such as venison with chestnuts.
The trail is well marked at the beginning and runs through the valley towards the Cruz de Juanar peak. Then it climbs up and down repeatedly. When climbing, be very careful, as you may be surprised by strong winds or sharp rocky ascents along the way, e.g., on the way to the El Salto del Lobo (Wolf’s Leap) cliff. There are also more difficult sections and ascents with chains, so mountain experience will be useful. If you are not experienced in climbing, it will be much better and safer to hire a guide or join an organized group tour.
The hardships of climbing are definitely rewarded by breathtaking views: Costa del Sol in the south, Gibraltar and Tarifa in the southwest, and, if the weather is favorable, the coast of Africa. The summit of La Concha also became the star of this year’s Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity on the Costa del Sol, organized by the Agnes Inversiones team. All the auctions generated a lot of excitement, but the opportunity to climb La Concha with Agnieszka Marciniak-Kostrzewa attracted the most interest. The auction ended with an unusual finale: the two bidders joined forces and together donated an impressive €2,600. This is the highest amount ever raised in a live auction organized by the WOŚP team in Marbella.
Practical tips: how to climb La Concha?
- It is best to start the hike early in the morning when the temperature is lower.
- It is worth choosing ankle-high shoes, as the ground is rocky and slippery.
- Take at least 2 liters of water per person and snacks – there are no food outlets along the way.
- Once you leave the pine forest, there is little shade, so sunscreen and a hat are a must.
- Cell phone reception at the El Juanar shelter can be very limited – it is worth taking this into account, especially when meeting friends there to start the trip.
Two ascents of La Concha for WOŚP
– We tried to choose a day when it would not be too hot, but the visibility from the top would remain excellent, reports Agnieszka Marciniak-Kostrzewa, founder and managing director of Agnes Inversiones. We did it! At the beginning of October, two ascents to the 1,215-meter peak of La Concha took place, which were auctioned off to two wonderful couples during the WOŚP finale.
I had the great pleasure of accompanying Marta and Marcin, as well as Marzena and Bogdan, on this extraordinary adventure. Everyone was surprised by the difficulty of the route, as there are a few challenging moments and you have to walk holding onto a chain with a cliff next to you.
Firstly, the path is very uneven for most of the route. There are long sections where you have to walk over boulders and watch your step carefully. Secondly, the path is very unclear in places and requires a lot of concentration to look for signs, as it is easy to stray from it. There is also a long section where the path runs on both sides of a narrow ridge.
The weather was great, our spirits were high, and we had so much energy that we decided to climb the nearby Cerro del Lastonar peak (1,276 m above sea level). These were two exceptional days – full of laughter, conversations, beautiful emotions, and breathtaking views. La Concha offers a panoramic view of the Costa del Sol, beaches, Gibraltar, and, in good weather, even the coast of Africa and the Atlas Mountains.
Both trips were full of joy and positive energy. Everyone agreed that they would return to La Concha – because it is a place that stays in your heart. It was a unique adventure, full of excitement, good energy, and wonderful people. I thank you with all my heart for participating in the auction and for spending time together, when you can not only help, but also make someone else’s dreams come true. I am extremely grateful for the auctions and the unforgettable time we spent together. Together we can do more!
La Concha: route and impressions
Although many consider La Concha to be a small and easy mountain, it should not be underestimated. The route can be surprising – there are sections that require rock climbing, passages with chains, and steep sections where there is only a cliff beneath your feet. You often have to walk over large boulders, staying alert and balanced, but once you reach the top, the view rewards all your efforts.
