Three Belgian hikers had to be rescued by Marbella firefighters on Monday night after becoming trapped on a treacherous section of the Monchalban hillside.
The group, aged 50, 50 and 25, had lost their way while walking in the Sierra Blanca and were unable to move safely in either direction.
According to the local council, the group set out at around 11am from the Refugio de Juanar, intending to complete the route to Istan, part of a well-known trail that requires familiarity with the terrain.
At some point during the hike they became disoriented and attempted to descend towards the Concepcion Reservoir, using the water as a visual reference.
This decision led them into one of the area’s most deceptive sections. The descent, which initially appears manageable, quickly narrows into a ravine with steep drops and rock walls, leaving the hikers effectively trapped.
With nightfall approaching and the terrain becoming increasingly dangerous, the group called the emergency services at 6.30pm.
Emergency responders were able to obtain their exact location through geolocation technology.
Firefighters reached the closest point accessible on foot, approximately 250 metres away in a straight line, but the remaining distance required technical rope work due to the steep and unstable ground.
Crews carried out a controlled descent using climbing equipment and reached the three men, who were found uninjured.
The team then guided them back to a safe area, concluding the operation without incident.
Authorities said the rescue highlighted the risks of attempting to exit the Sierra Blanca by descending towards the reservoir, a route that often leads walkers into inaccessible terrain.
