Beyond Santa Sofía

Location:
Villa de Leiva , Colombia

Other Activity Types:
Caving, spelunking, Rappelling, torrentismo, Scenic route

By Lorraine Caputo

If the road to Santa Sofía is imprinted by the past and present denizens of the Desierto de Villa de Leyva, the road beyond this small village is sculpted by nature herself. Waterfalls, like Cascada Guatoque (80 m / 262.5 ft) and Cascadas de Sorocota (three cascades, the tallest being 30 m / 98.5 ft) drape the bluffs. Carved within the auburn earth are caverns and caves, amongst them Cueva del Indio and Cueva de la Chapa. At Hayal, these elements come togther, with Cascada Hayal (70 m / 229.5 ft), Cueva del Hayal and Gruta del Hayal. Paso del Ángel is a narrow ridge between two deep canyons. To add a high gloss to the whole landscape is Páramo del Merchán.

Getting There
It is difficult to reach most of these without a private car. Tour agencies in Villa de Leyva offer half and full day trips to these sites.

Travel Tips: Rappelling is a possible activity at Paso del Ángel.

Relative price: Mid-Range

Travel Skills: None

You Need to Bring: Bring water, food (snacks and for a picnic lunch), hat, sunscreen, camera.

The museums, churches and colonial buildings in Villa de Leyva; the monuments along the Villa de Leyva-Santa Sofía and Villa de Leyva-Gachantivá roads; Ráquira and Candelaria; Santuario de Flora y Fauna Iguaque.

Currencies accepted
Colombian Peso