Sierra Blanca, Marbella’s ‘Lake District’.
Whenever you think of Marbella, you think of sunny beaches along the Costa del Sol, palm-lined avenues, golf courses, and mountain ranges rising into the distance. Yet lakes are usually not part of the visual picture created by marinas, beach clubs and ultra-luxurious homes.
Even so, Marbella is endowed with lovely lakeside scenery, ranging from pretty little lakes in unexpected locations amid residential areas to the grandest of them all, the reservoir of La Concepción.
This is just a few kilometers situated northeast of Puerto Banús, very close to where the motorway bypassing Marbella disappears into a short tunnel, this artificial lake stretches northwards towards the pretty white mountain village of Istán. It is very feasible for the people living nearby to visit this place and experience its beauty due to its location. Several kilometers of the Rio Verde river has been dammed up to form the lake. With its 2.14 km2 area and soaring mountains of the Serrana de Ronda in the distance, it is an actual Lakeland landscape.
Within the Sierra Bermeja, some foothills and mountains rise over a thousand meters towards Ronda, a famous Spanish country town. Despite being only 4 kilometers from the sea, the lake enjoys a remarkably slight feeling amid open nature and big skies due to its position on the northwestern edge of La Concha mountain. The area retains a vast amount of unspoiled natural scenery and amazing views – while sharing the fantastic climate of Marbella.
Istan.
Just 20 minutes from the highlife of Marbella is this beautiful Andalucian village. The brilliance of the white painted houses contrasts perfectly with the green slopes of the Sierra Blanca. Istán means ‘spring’ and throughout the village you will find many springs, flowing with fresh water. The origins of the village date back to the 14th century when, after the capture of Arboto Castle by the Christians, the defenders retreated to the site of the present day ‘pueblo’. The oldest and most important building is the parish church, built in the 16th century on the orders of the Archbishop of Seville. Other features worth noting are the cave which houses the Casa de la Juventud and the Arab tower, situated at the highest point of the village. The tower once formed part of the old fortress that dominated the local area.
Sierra Blanca mountain, Marbella: the best of both worlds.
The Sierra Blanca mountain (The White Mountain Range) spans over 6,500 hectares and encompasses four municipalities: Istan in the west, Monda in the north, Ojen in the east, and Marbella in the south. From 1970 to the early 2000s, it was a National Hunting Park, but now it is recognized as the Andalusian Hunting Reserve.
What does La Concha mean?
La Concha is the name of the mountain that overlooks Marbella and has become a city symbol. Belonging to the Sierra de Las Nieves mountain range, La Concha directly translates from Spanish to “The Shell” because the mountain resembles the bottom side of a shell when turned upside down.
Flora and Fauna in Sierra Blanca
Relishing the Mediterranean climate, the Sierra Blanca mountain range holds an abundance of vegetation typical of the Mediterranean ravines, glens, and streams, including cork oaks, pine, chestnut, cherry, and eucalyptus trees, among others, along with a wide variety of herbs and aromatic plants. The mountain range is home to a diverse range of fauna including mountain goats, foxes, mountain cats, mongooses, eagles, falcons, owls, partridges, doves, and various types of small reptiles, just to name a few…
Natural park.
A dammed reservoir that provides water not only to Marbella but also to most of the municipalities within the Costa del Sol is fed by the rivers Rio Verde, Guadalmina, Guadaiza, and Guadalmansa. In addition to fulfilling this function, it has become an important natural asset and a refuge for fish (including catfish and rainbow trout), birds, amphibians, turtles, and otters. Not surprisingly, fishing is popular among those who visit this well-kept secret. Others, on the other hand, prefer to follow canoe routes across this jagged-edge lake to enjoy all the natural beauty and spot eagles hovering and goats on hillside trails. This fascinating location borders the natural environment, declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.
Sierra Blanca Country Club.
Free of motorized activity, it is a haven of peace, space, Sierra Blanca residential Country Club was built amid the natural beauty of flora and fauna in the stunning Sierra de las Nieves, nestled at the base of La Concha. This exclusive community consists of apartments, villas and townhouses with stunning panoramic views in the highest part of the residential area.
Every home in this development offers captivating southwest-facing views that overlook the beautiful bay of Marbella and extend to Gibraltar, along with a combination of luxury, exclusivity, and privacy with proximity to amenities such as shops, restaurants, international schools, and recreational activities like golf, tennis, horseback riding, and fishing. The urbanization is well-connected with spacious roads, sidewalks, gardens, and guest parking. It also features rural pedestrian paths that meander through the lush forest, offering a serene and natural retreat.
The location is known for its extraordinary natural beauty, with ancient forests, breathtaking panoramic views of Marbella’s Bay, and the impressive Istán reservoir. It offers to their residents the tranquility and charm of a country setting while being conveniently located near Marbella center, the glamour of Puerto Banus marina, and the beaches.
Other earby residentials resorts.
Just a stone’s throw from Sierra Blanca country club are Marbella, Puerto Banús,.. and the Golf Valley on Nueva Andalucia – and all Marbella precious properties! By car, it takes just ten minutes to access top-notch international schools, shopping hubs, premier golf courses, entertainment centers, the renowned Manolo Santana Tennis Club, and the stunning beaches of the Golden Mile.
On the other side is the brand new development of Real de la Quinta, Benahavis where you can find brand new blocks of apartments and villas, with dreamlike views and even another beautiful lake!
