Our European Adventure

Hiking in Marbella

CharliExplores6 Comments

Our last two days in Marbella we spent doing one of our favorite things – hiking. As in Gran Canaria, Tom thought that he had located a hiking spot, but despite the fact that, in general the maps are better for the main attractions, for hiking trails – not so much. We traveled along curvy, flower lined highways

Tom and I headed for the mountains along pretty flower lined highways.
Tom and I headed for the mountains along pretty flower lined highways.

and enjoying the scenery as we searched for our hiking spot.

Villages nestled in the valleys between the mountains.
Villages nestled in the valleys between the mountains.

Again we got totally lost but in our search we happened upon El Refugio de Juanar 

El Refugio de Juanar
El Refugio de Juanar

a national park in the mountains near Marbella. The literal translation is Natural Refuge and it is – quiet, peaceful, beautiful and a wonderful place to hike. The first day we just explored the area taking in the enjoying the ambiance and getting the lay of the land.

The main road was wide and led to an overlook of Marbella.
The main trail was wide and led to the overlook of Marbella.
In the middle of the park there is a rather large grove of olive trees. They are the small, light green trees in the foreground.
In the middle of the park there is a rather large grove of olive trees. They are the small, light green trees in the foreground.
This walkway ended just around the bend with a great view of Marbella and the Mediterranean below.
This walkway ended just around the bend with a great view of Marbella and the Mediterranean below.
In a couple of areas we saw these goats on the bluffs. I was pretty excited at first but then realized that they are statues. I have no idea of their significance.
In a couple of areas we saw these goats on the bluffs. I was pretty excited at first but then realized that they are statues. I have no idea of their significance. If you look closely you can see the statue on the cliff on the right – very tiny.

 

This if the view form the main overlook - Marbella and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.
This if the view form the main overlook – Marbella and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.

From here we headed back toward the car taking in the views and planning tomorrows hike,

Natures Rock Garden - Spectacular!
Natures Rock Garden – Spectacular!

When we found a sign pointing to another overlook not too far away. The views and the flowers were terrific and worth the walk.

The first day we climbed to the top of another overlook with wonderful views.
The first day we climbed to the top of another overlook with wonderful views.
I don't know what this is but they were everywhere and gorgeous!
I don’t know what this is but they were everywhere and gorgeous!
Mountains - so enduring and majestic.
Mountains – so enduring and majestic.

By the time we finished this, we had put in about four miles and had decided on a pretty aggressive hike (a climb to the top of one of the mountains) for the next day so we headed to the car and hotel.         The next day we were back bright and early with backpacks, water, and camera eager to get started.

This is the peak we had chosen to conquer.

It looked a bit more daunting up close, but we decided to go as far as we could.

Heading up.

It started out fairly easy but quickly began to get steep

The trail got steep rapidly.
The trail got steep rapidly.

but the trail and the views eased the way.

Awesome!
Awesome!
The path was pretty and almost made you forget about gasping for air.
The path was pretty and almost made you forget about gasping for air.
We happened upon this stunning little iris all by itself about half way up the mountain. What a lovely surprise.
We happened upon this stunning little iris all by itself about half way up the mountain. What a lovely surprise.

Eventually we made it clear to the top and man was it worth it! There was a large cross and a small grotto on a concrete block.

This cross and little grotto were waiting at the top.
This cross and little grotto were waiting at the top.

Tom and I sat and rested munching on apples and taking in the panoramic views. It doesn’t get better than this.

This is a panorama photo from the mountain top. pretty cool huh.
This is a panorama photo from the mountain top. pretty cool huh.

Then it was time to head back down.

For me that’s the scariest part when you can see just how steep it is and where you could end up, but we forged ahead.

Climbing up the mountain is physically taxing, but for me going down is much scarier.
Climbing up the mountain is physically taxing, but for me going down is much scarier.

 

 

Tom waiting for me to quit taking pictures.
Tom waiting for me to quit taking pictures.
We were nearing the bottom at this point and I still wasn't tired of the views. Although, Tom may have been tired of waiting for me to photograph all of them.
We were nearing the bottom at this point and I still wasn’t tired of the views. Although, Tom may have been tired of waiting for me to photograph all of them.

We finally reached the bottom. It had taken us an hour and a half to climb to the top and only 45min. to get back down. Amazing how fast you can move when you don’t have to stop every 25 meters of height (that’s equivalent to climbing the stairs in a 5 story building) to catch your breath and let you heart calm down. I think we’re gotten our aerobic exercise in for the week and we have some wonderful memories to keep and share. Tomorrow is Saturday and we’re headed for Madrid.

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