Marbella - Refugio de Juanar (Ojen)

To get to the Refugio de Juanar area we have to go on the road A-355 from Marbella towards Ojen.

From Marbella we have to exit the road A-7 (also named E-15) at the turn off for Ojen or La Cañada Shopping Centre. The exit is marked as Ojen.

PHOTO: We take the A-355 towards Ojen

Once on the road towards Ojen, the Refugio de Juanar is about 17 km's away, about a 30 minute drive.
We start going up into the mountains, leaving the coast behind us. On the left we have a marvelous view of our Sierra Blanca, the White Mountains.

PHOTO: Ojen from road A-355

PHOTO: up into the mountains

A bit further up we don't take the exit for Ojen that appears on our right.
Eventually the road goes down to one lane each way. On our left we will see a big white quarry, a few metres ahead we will see an inlet so that we can turn left. Here we have to turn off this road and take the road on the left that is indicated as Refugio de Juanar. This road is now MA-469.

PHOTO: Beginning of road MA-469

We follow this winding road all the way up to where it ends. At first we go through a pine forest with picnic tables and other routes. Then we go up a steep hill and we go round the steep bend at the end of it. Here we now have the deep valley of the Juanar stream on our right.

PHOTO: Along road MA-469

We follow the road all the way. If we want to park the car to go on one of the trails we will take the dirt track road ahead of us just before the road turns right and goes over the bridge. Once on the dirt track we can park the car here or drive up a bit more until you come to a iron gate that is closed to stop cars going up any further.

If you want to go to the Hotel Restaurant Refugio de Juanar don't go on the dirt trail, follow the road to the right, over the bridge and straight into the Hotel's car park.

PHOTO: Area to leave the car

PHOTO: Dirt trail

Updated: february 2007