The Rock of Guatapé or El Peñón de Guatapé
Guatape is a beautiful town two hours from Medellin, Colombia. The town’s main attraction is the gigantic rock, visible pretty much anywhere you are in the city.
The massive stone was formed millions of years ago. The Tahamies Indians, former inhabitants of this region, worshiped the rock.
The rock has a curious history. On the northern face of the stone there are painted large white letters, “G”, and an incomplete “U” (only the single vertical stroke was completed). According to Wikipedia, Guatapé and El Peñol had long disputed ownership of the rock, and the residents of Guatapé decided to settle the matter by painting the town’s name on the rock in huge white letters. It did not take long for the residents of El Peñol to notice the work, and a large mob was assembled to stop it. Only the “G” and part of the “U” were completed.
At its highest part, on the rear (southeast side), it has an elevation of 2,135 metres (7,005 ft) over sea level. 659 steps lead you to the top of La Piedra Del Peñol (Spanish for “The Rock of Guatapé”). The view from there is great, as you can imagine.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- La Piedra del Peñol / El Peñón de Guatapé, named peak (not the ticket entrance or parking area), Antioquia, Colombia
- Coordinates
- 6.22, -75.1794
- Access
- The public summit route is a steep staircase built into the rock. The operator describes 740 steps (sources count different endpoints) and advises pacing the climb to your fitness; the summit is reached only by stairs. Bring water, sun protection and shoes with grip. The map pin marks the named rock peak, not the road entrance or parking area.
- Admission
- As checked Oct. 21, the operator's booking page lists COP 30,000 in cash, while the official Guatapé tourism guide reports COP 35,000 for 2026. The published prices conflict; call Centro Turístico La Piedra at +57 313 657 9198 to confirm the amount and accepted payment before climbing.
- Time needed
- The operator publishes no fixed climbing time and says ascent time depends on physical capacity. The official Guatap
- Best season
- Colombia Travel describes Guatapé as suitable year-round. Its general Colombia climate guidance identifies broadly drier periods in December–March and July–August, but cautions that rainfall patterns vary by region; use this only as broad outdoor-climb context, not a Guatapé-specific guarantee. Check the local forecast because rain can affect the stair climb.
- Opening hours
- The operator's current ascent page lists 08:00–17:00 for entry. Its separate summit notice says the summit is open 07:00–16:00, and the official Guatapé tourism guide repeats the summit cutoff. The sources do not explain the difference. Confirm the last ascent and summit closing with Centro Turístico La Piedra at +57 313 657 9198.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-20
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-21
Location
Use the zoom buttons or pinch to zoom. Use arrow keys to pan when the map is focused.
Interactive map loads when in view.
Explorer Passport
Next badge: Trail Scout
Unlocked after exploring 5 different unusual places.
0 of 5 places explored
Discover more from Unusual Places
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Truly awe inspiring!