Montane Hike in Guatapé: Memory Trail & Viewpoint

4.9(23 reviews of Remote Guatapé)3 hoursTours & ActivitiesRNT 172321

Dog resting at a hilltop viewpoint over Guatapé Lake and El Peñol Rock

Hikers on the old stone mule trail cut into the hillside above Guatapé

Group walking down a deep earth trail through the montane forest of Guatapé

View from the top of the trail over Guatapé Lake with El Peñol Rock in the distance

Aerial view of a farmhouse and the trail among the green hills of Guatapé

An easy guided hike up an old mule trail above Guatapé to a natural viewpoint over the lake and El Peñol Rock, with a hot cup of local coffee at the top. For families and first-time hikers.

About this experience

What's Included?

A local guide from Montano for the whole hike (one guide for every 8 people).
A hot cup of local coffee at the top of the viewpoint.
The story of the trail: how the villages got around before the roads, and how the lake changed the land.
Start and finish at Montano, in the town of Guatapé.

Itinerary

Meet at Montano, in town, and set off towards the old mule trail (camino de herradura) that linked the villages.
A gentle, steady climb through regenerating montane forest, with stops to look and listen.
The top: a natural viewpoint over Guatapé Lake and El Peñol Rock. Time to rest and take photos, with a coffee in hand while your guide tells the farmers' memories of the area.
Down the same way and back to Montano.

Duration

About 3 hours in all, with 4.5 km of walking.

Difficulty Level

Easy. A low-gradient historic trail, good for families with children, active older adults and people who have never hiked.

What to Bring?

Closed shoes with good grip (trail shoes or boots).
Comfortable clothes, long trousers if you can.
A rain jacket or poncho: mountain weather changes fast.
A cap and sunscreen.
Your own reusable water bottle.
A small backpack.

What to Avoid?

Sandals or smooth-soled shoes: the trail can be muddy.
Leaving anything behind: what goes up comes back down with you.
Leaving the trail on your own.

Good to Know

Departures every day from 6am to 1pm, every 30 minutes. The morning usually has the clearest view.
The guides are locals who speak very basic English: this is a guided walk, not a tour narrated in English.
The price is per person, for 2 people or more; groups of 6 or more pay less each, and groups of 12 or more even less.
If you don't start or finish at Montano, add the moto chiva: it picks you up or drops you off in town (up to 3 people per moto chiva).
Book by 5pm the day before.

Make the most of Guatapé

Cloud forest hike: orchids, birds and a spring of water, with a view over the whole lake.
Eagle viewpoint hike: the longest route, to one of the highest viewpoints in Guatapé.
El Peñol Rock: the 740 steps you'll see from the top of this trail.

What's included

Local guide for the whole hike
A hot cup of local coffee at the top
The story of the trail and the lake

Not included

Transport to Guatapé
Moto chiva to or from the start (optional extra)
Food
Tips

What you need to know

Closed shoes with good grip
Guides speak very basic English
From 2 people; up to 32 per booking
Book by 5pm the day before

Meeting point

We send you the exact spot, with its map and directions, once your booking is confirmed.

4.9 · 23 reviews of Remote Guatapé

Across everything we run, on Google, GetYourGuide and Tripadvisor.

We had an excellent experience with Guatape Tours! We booked a sprinter van with them for 12 of us, which was super clean, very comfortable and with air conditioning, to go from Medellin to Guatape and back later that same day. Our driver Christian was wonderful. He was on time, knowledgeable about the area and activities and very friendly. He drove us to hike La Piedra del Penol and then recommended an excellent place for lunch afterwards which he took us too. Afterwards he dropped us off near the malecón to walk and tour the town. It was a great day trip and I appreciated Guatape Tours checking in with me throughout the day and even before to make sure that everything was going smoothly. I highly recommend booking any trip with them!
Jessica Z.on Google
*This is a late post - my friend and I went in August of 2025. The Guatape River and Waterfalls tour was the best excursion of my LIFE! Honestly, one of my favorite days I’ve ever had. Camilo brought my friend and me to a quiet and secluded area of a river outside Guatape, where there was a beautiful blue green swimming hole under a waterfall. As my friend and I started exploring the river, he set up a gorgeous brunch for us - sandwiches from a local shop, coffee, mimosas. He also set up chairs, mats to lay on in the sun, an umbrella, and binoculars for birdwatching. It was PARADISE. He told us he’d take some pictures of us enjoying the river so we wouldn’t have to worry about capturing the moment. she told us he’d be back in a few hours, and when he returned, he asked if we’d like to stay longer or wanted to go. We happily stayed. If I lived there, I would go there every day. Thank you Camilo!!
Kara C.on Google

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be fit or have hiking experience?

No. It's the easiest of the three Montane routes: a low-gradient old trail, walked slowly, with stops along the way.

Can children come?

Yes, it's made for families. Children walk the whole route with their parents.

Is the coffee included?

Yes, a hot cup of local coffee is served at the top of the viewpoint.

Where do we meet?

At Montano, Carrera 27A #30-71, in the town of Guatapé.

Do the guides speak English?

Only very basic English. They're local guides who know the trail and its stories; if you need a full explanation in English, tell us when you book.

What if it rains?

It's mountain weather and a light rain is part of the walk. If heavy rain means the hike cannot go ahead, we move it to another date or time at no cost; the money is not refunded.

Which of the three hikes should I choose?

This one if you want something easy, with history and a coffee at the top. The cloud forest hike if you love plants and birds; the Eagle route if you want the longest walk and the biggest view.