All in Andes Mountains

Cycling Colombia Part 3: Medellín to Ibagué

Cycling Colombia Part 3: Medellín to Ibagué

Pedals and Puffins
Bike Travel, Medellín, Andes Mountains, Bike Touring, Cycling, Bikepacking, Cauca River Valley, Salento Colombia, Wildlife, Missions and Churches, Alto de La Línea Colombia, Festival of San Juan, Festival of San Pedro

We departed Medellín in the company of a couple of hundred other cyclists, all climbing a big mountain on a Sunday just for fun. The descent brought us into Colombia’s coffee heartland, but we still had to cycle up and over the Central Andes. We climbed up to a picturesque mountain town, and then over the 11,083 ft (3,378 m) Alto de La Línea pass - one of the highest in the country - where forests of wax palms (Colombia’s national tree) grow among the clouds. From there we dropped back down to the Music Capital of Colombia, and spent a couple of weeks enjoying the Colombian National Folk Festival, where groups from all over the country come to celebrate their cultural heritage.

Cycling Colombia Part 2: Caucasia to Medellín

Cycling Colombia Part 2: Caucasia to Medellín

PedalingGuy
Bike Touring, Bike Travel, Cycling, Bikepacking, Andes Mountains, Cauca River Valley, Medellín, Wildlife

Our ascent into the Andes Mountains began gently, as we cycled upstream along one of Colombia’s biggest rivers. But soon enough we were climbing out of the valley, and discovered just how formidable the Andes can be. After several days of cycling through a deep canyon flowing with waterfalls, forests shrouded in clouds, and high mountain pastures, we had gained 9,000 ft (2,745 m) in elevation. From there we plunged into Medellín in a single, long and grueling day - where a rest in The City of Eternal Spring rejuvenated us for the road ahead.