La Piedra del Peñol

Marvel at one of the best views in the world, an enormous lake full of small islets, from atop this 70-million-year-old rock.

The Piedra del Peñol (Rock of Peñol) is a 70-million-year-old rock formation with an extraordinary vista just outside the city of Medellin. It is situated next to the charming town of Guatapé, which is full of quaint restaurants and colorful colonial décor. It is easily visible for miles from the surrounding countryside, as it stands at 656 feet (200 meters) high. Very few travelers leave Medellin without making a visit to this pre-historic giant.

Climb up around 650 steps to reach the top of the rock. Don’t be afraid to take a couple of rest stops along the way. There is a separate staircase for the descent. Although it appears fragile, locals have hauled heavy equipment and amenities to build shops up the stairs for decades. Once you reach the top of the rock and catch your breath, enjoy the 360-degree view of the enormous lake and its small green islets. There is a man-made viewpoint about 20 steps further up, from which the view is even better. Capture photos of the remarkable water-filled countryside.

Dine at one of the small restaurants at the top of the rock. They play local music, such as salsa and Vallenato, which is a Caribbean genre with accordions and drums. Head back down the rock and take a cab to Guatapé. Have a drink at one of the small cafés and walk around the quaint town. There are often events downtown, such as concerts and children’s play activities.

Curiously, there is a large tattoo of the crest of Medellin’s local soccer team, Nacional, at the base of the rock. The lake was formed as part of a hydroelectric dam in the late 1960s.

Take a bus from Medellin’s south terminal bus station to the Piedra del Peñol. The journey takes around three hours as you pass through Colombia’s green countryside and a few small towns. The price of the bus is negligible considering you cover a distance of 50 miles (80.5 kilometers). The bus will leave you at the foot of the rock. Ask the driver at what time and location to meet for your return. There are cabs waiting at the rock to take you to the nearby town of Guatapé.