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The Geography of Piedra del Peñol
Piedra del Peñol is located in the municipality of Guatapé, about two hours’ drive from Medellín, the capital of Antioquia. This massive rock formation, often referred to simply as “La Piedra” (The Rock), is one of the most prominent landmarks in Colombia. It rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape, offering panoramic views of the sprawling Embalse Peñol-Guatapé, a reservoir that is one of the largest lakes in the country.
The formation of Piedra del Peñol dates back millions of years, a result of ancient geological activity that left behind this awe-inspiring granite monolith. Geologists believe that the rock is a remnant of a larger mountain range, weathered down over millennia to the striking structure we see today.
Climbing to the Top
The rock features a zigzagging staircase of 740 steps, carved directly into the stone. I definitely would not recommend this hike if you are afraid of heights. You are pretty much hiking up the face of the rock the whole way up. Also, it might sound like a lot of steps but the hike wasn’t too bad. There are a lot of side platforms for you to rest on and for others to pass you by. So, as long as you take it nice and easy, I think anyone can do this hike.
To reach the top, I think it took us about 20-30 mins (including multiple breaks). Once you are there, you get a 360-degree panoramic view of the whole region. Everything is so green and lush. Definitely picture-worthy! There’s also a small gift shop and café if you want to stop and take a longer break. We were up there probably for another 20-30 minutes to take pictures and then headed back down.
Now, as mentioned before, I had fractured my ankle a couple of months prior to this trip. While the hike up wasn’t really that big of an issue, the hike down was DEFINITELY a different story. I had to two-step each step on the way down. I pretty much had to let everyone pass me and my friends ended up waiting at the bottom for me since I was so slow hahaha! It was an interesting experience overall, but I’m glad I accomplished it and my ankle was able to hold up.
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What To Wear and Bring for the Hike
For clothes, I just wore regular gym clothes. I think anything will pretty much do, but I think the key is to wear some good shoes with some tread on them. The hike has a lot of water on the ground especially on the way down so you’ll want something a little slip resistant. Also, you’ll want some sunglasses or a hat. The sun was beaming on us most of the way up.
- Hats: Women’s 1 / Women’s 2 (for ponytail) / Men’s
- Shoes: Women’s (these are the exact ones I have) / Men’s 1 / Men’s 2
- Water Bottle
- Small Backpack
Cost of the Ticket
The ticket costs 25,000 pesos or roughly $6 USD. There’s no need to buy it online. 3rd party online companies will try to make a profit and charge you more than what’s at the window.
The Cultural Significance of Piedra del Peñol
The rock is considered sacred by the indigenous Tahamí people, who inhabited the region long before the arrival of the Spanish. They believed that the rock was a powerful spiritual site, a connection between the earth and the sky.
In more recent history, Piedra del Peñol has become a symbol of the rivalry between the neighboring towns of Guatapé and El Peñol. In the 1940s, residents of Guatapé attempted to claim the rock as their own by painting the town’s initials, “G” and “U,” on its face. However, they were interrupted by the people of El Peñol, leaving the incomplete letters “GI” visible to this day.
Exploring Guatapé: The Town of Zócalos
A visit to Piedra del Peñol is not complete without exploring the nearby town of Guatapé. It’s about 10-15 minutes away and is known as the “most colorful town in Colombia.” Guatapé is also famous for its vibrant zócalos, the decorative panels that adorn the lower parts of the town’s buildings. Each zócalo is a work of art, depicting scenes from local life, cultural motifs, and traditional patterns.
I recommend you hike Piedra del Peñol in the morning and then head over to Guatepé for lunch. That’s what we did and it was perfect since we got the hard part out of the way first. We had lunch at Cafe La Vina which was in a cute colorful little square. Just warning, the food was only okay though. I think a lot of people go here because it’s has a cute (albeit tight) outdoor patio where you can overlook the square.
During the time we visited back in May 2024, Guatepé was suffering from a major drought which made all water activities like boating, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, etc. impossible. Not sure if that is still the case today, but don’t be surprised if you can’t do any water activities. If that’s the case, I probably would say you only need two hours (1 hour for lunch and 1 hour to walk around) to explore around the town.
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When to Visit Piedra del Peñol
Piedra del Peñol is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from December to March and from June to August. During these months, the weather is typically warm and sunny, making it ideal for outdoor activities. However, we went in early May and it was totally fine. It was sunny for a little bit during the morning and then we got some dark clouds after we hiked back down.
Another good thing to note is that if you want to avoid the crowds, plan your visit on a weekday and go as early as possible. You want to make it there before all the tour buses get there which I think comes around 10:00am-11:00am.
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Getting to Piedra del Peñol
Reaching Piedra del Peñol is relatively easy, especially if you’re coming from Medellín. The drive takes about two hours, and the route is well-maintained and scenic. Since we had four people in our group, we ended up taking an Uber there. Yes, I said UBER. I’m not sure if Uber supports this or if the drivers are just willing to take us but the first Uber we order accepted our ride.
We, of course, ended up hiring our Uber driver for the rest of the day since we eventually needed a ride back to Medellín. The cost of the Uber one-way was 295,000 Colombian pesos ($72 USD) and we negotiated another 295,000 pesos (cash directly to him) to hire him for the rest of the day. So, about $144 USD total split between 4 people was $36/person. I can’t even get to LAX for that price!
For those without a car or a group of people to split an Uber with, there are regular buses from Medellín to Guatapé, with stops near the rock. Alternatively, guided tours are available, which often include transportation, a climb up the rock, and a visit to Guatapé.
Conclusion: Why Piedra del Peñol Should Be on Your Bucket List
Yes, I know that a two-hour drive is not on anyone’s wishlist of things to do on vacation, but I think it was worth the trek. I was really happy that I got to see Piedra del Peñol and was healthy enough to make it to the top. It’s a little off the beaten path, but it was refreshing to get out of the city and do something more local and adventurous. Piedra del Peñol and Guatapé will most likely take a whole day so keep that in mind when planning. It is definitely something not to be missed if you are visiting Medellín!
