About
El Peñón de Guatapé, also called the Piedra del Peñol, is a 220-metre granite monolith standing between the towns of Guatapé and El Peñol, about 75 km from Medellín. A staircase built into the rock leads to the top, where visitors look out over the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir, more than 2,200 hectares of water dotted with green islands. It was first climbed on 16 July 1954 by a local man, Luis Eduardo Villegas López, and the rock still belongs to the Villegas family.
Highlights
- A staircase of 702 steps to the summit, by ProColombia's count
- Panoramic views over the reservoir and its islands
- Handicrafts and typical regional sweets on sale at the top
- A granite mass of quartz, feldspar and mica, 220 metres high
- Direct buses from Medellín's Terminal del Norte to Guatapé every 30 minutes
Getting there
By Car
Guatapé is about 75 km from Medellín. The rock is about 2 km in a straight line southwest of Guatapé's town centre. No official page we found publishes parking information.
By Public Transport
Buses to Guatapé leave from Medellín's Terminal del Norte (Cra 64C No. 78-580). Sotrapeñol (ticket window 9) runs to Guatapé every 30 minutes from 5:00 to 20:00, and Sotrasanvicente (ticket window 14) also serves Guatapé between 5:00 and 20:00. The terminal is about 180 m in a straight line from Caribe station on Metro Line A. The rock is about 2 km in a straight line from Guatapé's town centre.
By Taxi / Rideshare
The rock is about 2 km in a straight line southwest of Guatapé's town centre, so the last stretch from town is a short ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is El Peñón de Guatapé from Medellín?
Guatapé is about 75 km from Medellín, and the rock sits between Guatapé and the neighbouring town of El Peñol.
How do I get there by bus?
From Medellín's Terminal del Norte, next to Caribe Metro station. Sotrapeñol (ticket window 9) runs buses to Guatapé every 30 minutes from 5:00 to 20:00, and Sotrasanvicente (ticket window 14) also serves Guatapé.
How many steps are there to the top?
ProColombia, Colombia's official tourism body, counts 702 steps. The municipality of El Peñol gives a figure of 659, so counts differ by source.
What is at the top?
A viewpoint over the Peñol-Guatapé reservoir and its islands, with handicrafts and typical regional sweets for sale.
Who owns the rock?
The Villegas family. Luis Eduardo Villegas López made the first recorded climb on 16 July 1954, and the rock has stayed with his family.
