Hi. We're arriving in Cartagena, 3rd of Sept., and cannot decide if we better should take the eastern route via Bucaramanga - Bogota - San Agustin til the boarder to Ecuador. Or the western route via Medellin - Cali - Popayan.
Both are more or less the same distance (2ooo km) and altitude meters (20.000). Esp. when we want to go first to the Tayrona NP. How about security along the way?
Thanks for any help! Rolf and Mecki
Rolly54
1
albin_3
I'm sure it is not 20 000 metres. But since I'm thinking of cycling Colombia myself I am a bit curious as to actual altitude. Did you mean 2000 metres, or is it more?
2
iviehoff
I'm sure it is not 20 000 metres.
I think he means total of all the climbs he has to do. This is a plausible number. Colombia is very hilly and there can be lots of 1000m climbs in 2,000km.
3
bicyclejunkies
blog
Popayan is a pretty town, but you should also not miss out on the Trampolina de la Muerte; it's a beautiful ride!
And make sure to visit the coffee plantations near Salento.
We cycled in Colombia from South to North as part of our long distance tour through the Americas, here's something to read and pictures to inspire you: cycling in Colombia
Have fun!
4
axelaxel
Hello Rolf and Mecki,
i have cycled more than 8000 km in Colombia and can recommend the eastern route as the more scenic option of the 2 you are considering.
I would advice You to not miss out on Mompox in the northern wetlands, it is a place lost in time and my favorite Colombian small town. Also try to stay away from the main highways, it is often possible to find smaller side routes with almost no traffic on them except motos and horses.
Here is a link to my blog about my last tour in Colombia :
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/elviejoloco
Regarding the safety question i have felt very safe anywhere in Colombia away from the big cities ( muggers tried to rob me in both Cartagena and Santa Marta but did not succeed either time ). Due to poverty any Latin American city has a high rate of street crime but in the Colombian country side the people are so unbelievably friendly and helpful that i always felt " protected " by the tight social fabric that still exists there.
Do not worry about the Farq or Paramilitaries, those groups nowadays are mostly restricted to remote areas and while i have talked to and read the blogs of more than a hundred Gringos cycling Colombia i have never heard of any of them being targeted. Along the highways you will encounter many checkpoints manned by the military or police and they are a good source to find out if the area you are in has seen any trouble lately.
If you have any questions about that magical country please feel free to contact me through the guest book on my blog and most importantly enjoy the ride
Axel
" El viejo loco "
5
Thorn Tree
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