Rock of El Peñol and Guatapé

We have been guests in the 2.6 million city of Medellin since yesterday. In the entire metropolitan area, there are even 4.2 million people, making Medellin the second-largest region in Colombia. In the coming days, I will share more about the city and particularly the neighborhoods we have visited.

However, for today, one of the most famous sights in the region was on the agenda. The Rock of El Peñol, a granite inselberg, rises 220 meters and was formed millions of years ago through erosion and volcanic activity.

The event at this massive boulder is to climb the 740 steps to the summit. Once at the top, one is rewarded with a view that is unparalleled. Of course, we took on the challenge and set off for the ascent. The path upwards is manageable, it only becomes interesting when trying to squeeze past fellow climbers who are puffing like steam locomotives. The stairway is narrow, and as it resembles an ant trail, one wants to avoid any falls.

The view over Lake Guatapé can confidently be described as unique. If you ask Colombians, you'll even hear that the view is the best in the world. After a short hour, we were back down; we had seen enough.

Our next stop was the small town of Guatapé. Similar to Salento, Guatapé is a traditional village known especially for the artistic, colorful, and handmade bases of the houses. While this place is certainly well-trodden by tourists, it is still recommended to visit. A stroll through the streets, a snack or drink here and there, a dance performance in the main square, or visiting one of the many ateliers and shops can be wholeheartedly recommended. Since the weather was fantastic today, we would have liked to stay longer. The two-hour drive back to Medellin unfortunately made that impossible.

Back in Medellin, our day ended with a visit and a few drinks in the Laureles neighborhood. More on that in the coming days...