Best Scenic Hike in Jardin

Jardin, Colombia, is a hidden gem that is often overlooked by travelers. This small town is located in the state of Antioquia and is surrounded by beautiful scenery.

But, one of the best ways to see Jardin is from the outside looking in. There’s one hiking trail that loops around the entire town and offers some of the most incredible views.

Are you intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know about Jardin.

The Ultimate Hiking Loop in Jardin, Colombia

Jardin is known for many things: its colonial architecture, flowers, coffee plantations, and friendly people. But what many don’t know is that this town is also home to some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Colombia.

Deep in the mountains of the Andes, Jardin is surrounded by lush vegetation, rivers, and waterfalls. And the best way to see it all is by taking a hike around the perimeter of the town.

The hike will take you through different ecosystems and some of the most breathtaking landscapes in South America. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos and rest in one of the many miradors (viewpoints).

The hiking loop will take you through a tunnel of greenery, a waterfall, a river, and two mountain restaurants with the best views in town. To end the hike, you’ll ride the cable car in Jardin back to the center of town.

I recommend doing this hike in the morning to avoid the chance of a rain shower in the afternoon. The hike should take around two to four hours, depending on how many stops you make.

This is what you’ll need for the hike:

• Hiking shoes
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• A hat or sunglasses
• Plenty of water
• Cash for drinks and the cable car (COP)

Got what you need? Let’s get started!

Camino de La Herrara

The hike starts at Camino de La Herrara or “The Lady’s Blacksmith Path.” The stone path is located southeast of town, about 4 or five blocks from Parque Principal.

The stone path takes you to a vast field with flowers and incredible mountain views. The natural tunnel of greenery will take you past colorful peasant houses until you reach the trail to Cascada Del Amor.

Fall of Love (Cascada Del Amor)

After leaving “The Lady’s Blacksmith Path,” you will reach the Cascada Del Amor or “Waterfall of Love.” The small waterfall is about a 15-20-minute walk from the stone path.

The waterfall will be on the left of the road and is impossible to miss. It isn’t as powerful as Cascada La Escalera, but it is still a beautiful sight.

It’s not a spot for swimming but feel free to take a break, enjoy the view, and have a snack. When you’re ready to continue, get back on the main road and continue the hike.

River Corazon

The next site to see will be River Corazon. Depending on the time of year, the river will be a calm blue or a rushing green.

During the rainy season, from April to November, the river will be at its fullest. This is also the time when waterfalls like Cascada La Escalera will be most impressive.

You can go down to the river and hang out if you’d like, but make sure to be careful. The rocks can be slippery, and you don’t want to fall in!

Mirador la Herrerita

After the river, you will start to climb a hill. This is where the hike starts to get challenging but don’t worry; it’s worth it.

You’ll take the switchback road for about 20 minutes until you reach the first lookout point, Mirador La Herrerita.

This is one of the most popular places to take a photo in Jardin. From here, you can see the entire town and all of its surrounding mountains.

It’s the perfect place to take a break, have a drink, and enjoy the view. Mirador la Herrerita is a bird lovers paradise. There are hummingbird feeders set up, and you’re sure to see several fluttering around.

The lookout spot also has a huge deck hammock which is an Instagram hot spot. Make sure to take a picture if you can!

Grab a drink, chill in the hammock, and grab a snack before continuing on the hike.

Insider tip: Mirador la Herrerita has a lot of insects, so make sure to bring bug spray!

La Garrucha

From Mirador La Herrerita, you’ll continue on the same path for about 10 minutes until you reach another lookout point called La Garrucha.

La Garrucha is a spacious restaurant and lookout point with an outdoor seating area and incredible views of the valley.

Here you can have typical Colombian dishes such as a bandeja paisa, empanadas, or arepas. They also have a full bar if you’d like to grab a drink.

In addition, La Garrucha is where you will take the cable car back to town. However, I’d recommend relaxing a bit and enjoying the view before heading back.

La Garrucha Cable Car

When you’re ready to head back to town, take the La Garrucha cable car. The cable car is in the middle of the restaurant, and you can’t miss it.

La Garrucha cable car isn’t as impressive as Medellin’s cable car system, but it’s a fun experience nonetheless. The ride is short, and you’ll get some incredible views of the valley on the way down.

The cable car ride costs 5,000 COP per person (subject to change). Once you’re back in town, congrats! You did it!

Do the Loop the Opposite Way

If you don’t want to break a sweat and want a more relaxing experience, we recommend doing the loop in the opposite direction.

There will be a person working the La Garrucha cable car in town who can help you buy a ticket. You can ride the cable car to the restaurant and either choose to eat there or walk back down.

This way, you can still see everything we mentioned on the hike but in reverse order.

Also, you can break this day up into two by hiking through Camino de La Herrara to Cascada Del Amor and seeing the river. This would only take you an hour there and back.

On a different day, you could take the cable car up to La Garrucha and then only go to Mirador La Herrerita. You could then walk back to the cable car for a ride back down.

Is Cascada Del Amor Worth Hiking To?

If you only have time to see one waterfall while visiting Jardin, I recommend Cascada La Escalera. It’s the most impressive waterfall near town and only requires a short hike to get to.

Cascada Del Amor is a small waterfall located close to town. It’s a nice spot if you want a quick break from hiking or if you’re with small children.

The hike to Cascada Del Amor is flat and easy, making it a good choice for those who aren’t looking for a challenging hike.

However, don’t expect to be blown away by the waterfall. It’s small and not as impressive as some of the other waterfalls in Jardin.

Is There Anything Else to See on the Hike?

In addition, to what we mentioned on this list, there are several other things you will see on the hike.

You will pass by other cafes and restaurants, as well as some small shops. There are also a few other lookout points along the way with great views of Jardin and the valley.

The main thing is to take in how beautiful the country and town are. Colombia is an amazing place, and Jardin is one of the most charming towns in the country.

Get Outdoors While in Jardin

Jardin has a little of everything, and there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a relaxing day spent outdoors, you can find it here.

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