Day X: Medellín → El Retiro → La Ceja → Guatapé → San Rafael → San Carlos → Medellín | Total kilometers: 230 km (aprox.)
We’ll start the day riding up Las Palmas, one of Medellín’s most scenic mountain roads, with sweeping views of the city waking up below. Our first optional stop is the Tequendamita waterfall, a postcard-perfect place to stretch your legs and snap some photos before continuing east.
From there, the road winds into the hills, taking us to the traditional pueblo of El Retiro, known for its artisans, antique shops, and colonial charm. Next up is La Ceja, a peaceful mountain town where we’ll stop in the central plaza to enjoy an optional fresh cup of Colombian coffee. If you’d like to dive deeper into Antioquia’s artisan culture, we can add an optional side trip to Carmen de Viboral, famous for its hand-painted ceramics and small-town hospitality.
The ride then heads toward one of the day’s highlights: the sparkling blue reservoir of Guatapé. This stretch is pure magic — twisty roads, lush green ridgelines, and water views around every bend. Once in Guatapé, you’ll have two choices: challenge yourself with the climb up the 740 steps of La Piedra del Peñol for breathtaking 360° views over the lake and islands, or take it easy and wander the vibrant streets of Guatapé, lined with colorful zócalos that tell the town’s story.
For those craving more adventure, we can skip the rock climb and push farther east, riding into the jungle through San Rafael and San Carlos. Once off-limits, these towns are now safe havens for backpackers and nature seekers, connected by winding jungle roads that deliver both challenge and beauty.
The return ride to Medellín is relaxed and scenic, closing out a day filled with mountain air, waterfalls, vibrant pueblos, and some of Colombia’s most iconic landscapes when you “Ride the Rock” to Guatapé.