3 Short walks around Barichara
From Finca San Vicente you can take beautiful walks. The surroundings are so beautiful and inviting that you can’t help but explore.
1. Hike Barichara-Guane-Barichara (loop).
The most famous hike is along the“camino real” from Barichara to the idyllic village of Guane.
This hike is best started early in the morning at the starting point “piedra de Bolivar,” on the outskirts of Barichara village.
The distance of 9 to 10 km will take you about 2h30 to 3h and for the most part you will walk on a path paved with stones, the so-called “camino real” from the Guane culture. Don’t forget to take plenty of breaks to drink, enjoy the view and take photos.
In Guane, there is a small archaeological museum that exhibits finds from the region. Thus, you can admire artifacts of the Guane culture and a large fossil collection.
In Guane, you can have lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Tips and info :
Start the hike between 8 to 9 a.m. at the latest, so you will arrive in Guane around noon.
Bring plenty of water, as there is only one option to buy water along the way.
Sun milk with a high protection factor because of the altitude and because there is no shade over most of the trail. A hat or cap for protection is also necessary.
Good walking shoes is a must.
BASIC FITNESS IS SUFFICIENT
Alternate route
You can also start the walk to Guane from the finca. Then you walk along another path, for a part also a ‘camino real’, to Guane. This walk is certainly just as beautiful, a lot shorter and for most of the walk you walk downhill.
Start no later than 9 a.m. if you want to arrive in Guane on time and avoid the scorching midday sun.
There is a regular bus service between Guane and Barichara. You can take advantage of this if you wish to hike only to Guane and not return by the same road uphill.
2. Hike to Cerro Negro
We leave by 4×4 from the finca and drive through a landscape that captures the imagination. After about half an hour we arrive at the vereda Butaregua; starting point of the hike. Along the way we also stop at one of the largest and oldest ceibas (trees) of the region.
From Butaregua, it is about 1 to 2 hours of hiking to Cerro Negro, through a dry and arid landscape; the so-called “Bosque seco tropical.
The region is extremely dry and temperatures can easily reach 40 degrees and more. Around Cerro Negro we find many stones in all kinds of strange shapes and colors. From Cerro Negro you have a fantastic view of the cañon and the valley through which the Suarez River winds its way.
Tips and info :
Upon returning to Butaregua, you can take a refreshing dip in the pool.
We will start the hike no later than 9 a.m. to avoid the afternoon heat.
Bring plenty of water (it is possible to buy something in one of the stores along the way).
Sun milk and hat or cap are essential!
Good walking shoes.
BASIC FITNESS IS SUFFICIENT
3. Hike to Salto de Mico
Starting point of the hike is the Barrio (neighborhood) Bagari. Short walk of about 2 km there and back where we can see the waterfall disappear into the depths. Not recommended for people afraid of heights. The path of the hike goes along the steep cliffs of the cañon.
Put on good walking shoes.
BASIC FITNESS IS SUFFICIENT.
