From Istán to La Conca round hike - Andalucía Spain - August 8 2013

In fact I planned to go to La Conca directly from Istán, the shortest possible way. But I did not find the right direction (it was still early morning and quite dark). It is why I was keeping the path to Ojen, the table said I should be able to reach it within 4 hours. When I was about an hour from Ojen, I approached the crossing saying I could turn right and go to La Conca from there. I welcome it and went through Puerto las Allanas to my previous target.

After I reached La Conca, I returned back to Istán on the way originally planned. It is why my track was finally rounded and not just there and back. I really enjoyed it. I took many pictures and videos, meaning I was not so fast. My getting up in the hotel was 20 to 6AM, breakfast at 6, driving to the starting trail point (from Estepona) from 6h30 to 7AM. The trail has taken 8 and half hours.

I was afraid it could be too hot to do such a trip in the 1st half of August (I am already 56), it is why I was getting up so early. But finally the way was quite nice temperature wise. The 1st third of the way I was still covered by the shadow of the mountain on the left hand side (the path went from the west to the east), the sun-rise was on the north-east. The 2nd third (from the crossing to the La Conca mountain) the sun has moved more to the south but the path went from the north-east to the south-west. Meaning I had the sun behind me. The last third part from La Conca to Istán, the way went south-east to the north-west. Sun was moving from the south to the west, so still more or less behind me.

Anyway, the temperature (in the mountains) was about 24° C in the morning and about 38° C in the afternoon.

You can also see my video from the trail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN-MTVOnVDw