Marbella - Istan

PHOTO: Exit 176 of the A-7 road towards Istan

To get to the town of Istan by road from Marbella we have to go on the main road A-7 also named E-15 that by passes Marbella. We will take the exit 176 marked as Istan, then we follow the signs to Istan until we are on the road MA-427.

PHOTO: impressive view of La Concha mountain from the road

Another option is to take the N-340 that goes through the cent er of Marbella and take the turn off towards the mountains in the Puente Romano area, near the Marbella Mosque.

PHOTO: another view of the road with the Concha in the background

Once on road MA-427 to Istan it is easy as the road ends in Istan, it is about a 30 minute drive. We will pass the desalination plant, the Concepcion Reservoir of the Green River: Rio Verde. We will have a beautiful view all the way up of the mountain La Concha that belongs to the Sierra Blanca mountain range, we will see the south and west faces of this mountain.

PHOTO: the road has lovely views all the way

Once we arrive at the white town of Istan we have to follow the signs to the Hotel Altos de Istan or the sports ground of the town: Polideportivo in Spanish. Basically we turn right, then right again and we go up a steep hill and the road ends at the hotel parking area. Just behind the hotel we can leave the car on a gravel area next to a fenced water deposit.

PHOTO: plaque that welcomes us to the town of Istan

On this road up to the hotel we will find a couple of signs that give us information on the trails or footpaths. The information is also in English. Past the hotel the road turns into a trail, the is the departure point for the trails to Ojen, Picacho peak, La Concha mountain and the San Miguel Church.

PHOTO: the hotel area with the Picacho behind it

Updated: february 2007