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The Camino Real is a historic walking trail that connects several small, picturesque communities throughout the countryside of Santander Colombia. Though the entire length of this trail can be completed as a multi-day hike, walking the short section between Barichara and Guane makes for a leisurely day trip from San Gil. When combined with some sightseeing in these charming villages at each end of the trail, this little adventure makes for the perfect day with an ideal blend of beautiful views and rich history. In this post, we have detailed how to get to this section of the Camino Real, what to expect on the hike, and all of the other unexpected and interesting things that we discovered along the way. Whether you plan to stay in San Gil or in one of the communities next to the Camino Real, we highly recommend taking some time to explore this unique area where time seems to move just a little bit slower.
Length
5.8 km (one-way)
Elevation Gain
111m
Difficulty
Easy, suitable for everyone
Permits Required
None
Hiking the Camino Real From Barichera to Guane
To get the most out of your experience walking along the Camino Real, it’s key to understand a little bit about its history. This path is part of a larger network of trails created by the Indigenous people of the area, the Guane, hundreds of years ago. When the Spanish arrived they utilized and expanded upon these existing routes. Finally, a German engineer restored the trail in the 1800’s resulting in the cobblestone path and low rock wall that still lines the path today. As you walk this trail you are walking along an ancient route long used for the transportation of goods, information, and people. I think it’s interesting to keep in mind that you are following in the same footsteps of many different people who came before.
Since the Camino Real is a network of trails that runs through several different communities in the area, the trail can be started from many different points and can be walked in any direction. Different sections can be combined to form a beautiful multi-day trek that carries you through the remote countryside and small communities that are rarely visited by tourists. This post focuses on one small section of trail between the villages of Barichara and Guane, but if you are looking for something longer and more difficult there is definitely something for you in the area.
The section of the trail that spans between Barichara and Guane is 5.8km long with only 111m of elevation gain. The trail can be walked in either direction, but we recommend starting in Barichara since the trail is mostly downhill from there. The trailhead is located a short 10 minute walk uphill from the central park of Barichara where the bus from San Gil drops you off.
Walking the entire section of trail took us a few hours at a very leisurely pace with plenty of stops along the way, and it could easily be done in less time than that. The trail is very easy to follow since you pretty much just continue down the cobblestone path the whole way. There are some sections where the trail crosses a highway, but it’s easy to cross the road and pick up the trail again on the other side. There is also one section where the trail splits into a junction, just follow the signs for Guane. There are some small tiendas and restaurants along the path where you can escape the heat and rest with some fresh fruit juice before continuing on your way.
This hike is doable for families with children and not so keen hikers. Our advice is to try and do the hike in the morning in order to avoid the hot afternoon sun, and to bring plenty of water and sun protection. The heat was pretty relentless when we were there and it definitely made the hike way more challenging than it would have been in cooler weather. Good shoes and maybe even walking poles are also a good idea since the uneven cobblestone can be a bit tough on the feet.
This section of the trail passes through beautiful farmlands, forests, valleys, and mountains. After about two months of exploring Colombia we really believe that some of the prettiest views in the country can be found right here. We didn’t know this until after we arrived in Guane, but this area is also known for having lots of fossils. Of course, it’s best to appreciate these as they are and not take any.
How to Get to the Camino Real
By Car
If you are heading to the Camino Real by car, you can expect a very scenic and very windy road. We recommend heading to Barichara first. If you are coming from nearby San Gil, which is really the only other touristy town in the area, the drive takes around 40 min. From here you can park your car in a free, decent sized dirt parking lot called Mirador Los Italianos which is right next to the Camino Real trailhead. Once you finish walking the trail you will end up in the small community of Guane. From here, it is easy to get public transportation back to Barichera. There is a public van that regularly departs from the main square in Guane (see below), and it will drop you off in downtown Barichera where it is a short walk back to your car.
By Public Transportation
We recommend heading to Barichara to begin your hike. Most visitors will be coming from the nearby touristy town of San Gil, from where it is simple and cheap to transit to Barichara. First, head to the terminalito station which is conveniently located near the town centre of San Gil and is walking distance from most hostels. Here, you can purchase bus tickets to Barichara for around 7600 pesos per person one way. Buses depart about every 30 min throughout the day and the ride takes about 40 min.
Once you reach the end of the trail, you will end up in the even smaller community of Guane. From here, there is a shared van that departs from the main square. There is no need to buy tickets beforehand as you pay the driver directly, and it costs 4300 pesos per person for a ride back to Barichara which takes around 20-30 min. When you want to return to San Gil, just catch the same bus you took in the morning which departs from the main square of Barichara. The last bus back is at 7pm, which gives you plenty of time for a lovely dinner in town to end off your day.
Where to Stay Near the Camino Real
It is possible to stay either in Guane, Barichara, or San Gil if you are doing this hike. Personally, we decided to stay in San Gil since it was a good base for some of the other activities we wanted to do near there like bungee jumping and waterfall hikes. Though we didn’t think that the town of San Gil was overly scenic in itself, it is conveniently located and has all of the amenities you could need. We stayed at the Real Dream Hostel, which we would definitely recommend. This place had affordable private rooms as well as dorm beds, a hot shower that was actually hot, and friendly cats. It was a very short walk from the Terminalito station, and was run by an incredibly kind and friendly family.
Though we didn’t stay overnight in Barichara, we kind of wish we had. Since we didn’t stay there we can’t recommend any hostels in particular, but there are a lot of highly rated accommodation options and a fair amount of amenities in town. Barichera is such a charming town, and it is much more scenic than San Gil. If you are looking for more of a laid back vibe, spending a night or two in Barichara is a great option. Guane has fewer accommodation options and fewer amenities overall. But if it is an authentic, local experience you are after, it could be a good idea to stay in Guane.
What to See in Barichara
Barichara is considered one of the most picturesque villages in Colombia, and one could easily spend the entire day here just wandering the cobblestone streets and admiring the whitewashed buildings. Of course, if you’re starting your hike from here like we recommend, you won’t have all day. So here are a few of the best things to do and see while in town.
Start the day off with a walk through the Parque Principal. As with most Latin American towns, the central park is often the best place to get a feel for the area and watch people gathering, socializing, and going about their daily lives. Located right on the main square, check out the Church of the Immaculate Conception. This building is made of local stone, which gives it an interesting appearance. Maybe it was the birds singing and flying around the inside, or the morning sun pouring in through the windows, but when we visited we agreed that there is something uniquely beautiful and peaceful about this little church. It is free to enter and definitely worth a quick visit.
Head uphill a few blocks and you will arrive at the Capilla de Santa Barbera, another historic religious building. As of July 2025 it is closed for maintenance, but you can still see the outside of the building. Right beside this chapel you will find the Parque Para Las Artes, a cute little park with stone sculptures made from both local and international artists. The Camino Real trailhead is conveniently located right beside this park, so when you are ready for the hike you can just walk over from here and get started.
Barichara also has a lot of excellent options for shopping and dining. There are many charming and high quality local artisan shops lining almost every street. Whether you are hoping to grab a hearty breakfast before hitting the trail or finishing the day off with a celebratory dinner, there are options for everyone. We decided to end our day with a delicious dinner at Pandemono before heading back to San Gil, and we would definitely recommend this place. We got freshly made ravioli, which hit different after a day of hiking. The atmosphere of the place was pretty cool too since it was sort of tucked away in a small garden.
What to see in Guane
Guane is a very small town with an undeniable charm and incredibly friendly people. When we arrived, several locals pointed us towards a mirador. One thing we’ve learned throughout our travels is to listen to locals when they tell us where to go, and this was no exception. The Mirador de Guane is not only a viewpoint that offers an excellent vista of the Suarez river flowing through the depths of the canyon, but a restaurant that sells cold beer or whatever else you may want after a sweaty hike. Personally, we couldn’t resist the artisanal arequipe ice cream.
After you quench your thirst, you can check out the archaeology and palaeontology museum. Located right in the main square, this is a small museum that doesn’t look like much from the inside. But, as an archaeologist and paleontology enthusiast, I was definitely surprised by the collection inside. The first room is full of marine fossils found in the area, and the second room contains Indigenous Guane artifacts. There is actually a mummy and skeletal remains on display here, and though I couldn’t help but consider the ethics of how Indigenous remains ended up being procured and displayed in the personal collection of a Catholic priest, the museum is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the area.
Speaking of fossils, Guane has no shortage of shops scattered around the village with all sorts of unique rocks and minerals that can be found in the surrounding area. As we wandered down one of the quiet streets we spotted one of these places, though we weren’t sure if it was public or private since it was essentially just the courtyard of someone’s house absolutely chock full of fossils. An older woman appeared and ushered us inside while sharing stories of where and how the fossils were found (or so we gathered from our limited Spanish). It was a spectacular collection with huge ammonites, shells of all kinds, and crystals, and it must have been the result of many years of hunting. We thanked her for sharing and began to walk down the street, but she called us back. She put a crystal in my hand, saying “un regalo”. Her kindness definitely made our day, and the gift has had a spot in my backpack since.
We decided to visit the Camino Real because we were looking for a scenic hike close to San Gil that can be easily accessed by public transportation. The Camino Real fit the bill, but ended up being so much more than that. Our only regret is that we did not do the multi-day hike along the whole length of the trail. This area is now one of our favourite places in all of Colombia. The low, whitewashed buildings and narrow streets of Barichara and Guane seem to draw you in and invite you to explore. When you travel from one town to the next, you are rewarded with landscapes that look straight out of a storybook, with small patches of farmland reaching far up the canyon walls. Whether you are looking for a scenic hike, an escape to the countryside, or some time spent dining and shopping, we hope this article convinces you to put some time aside to explore what this area has to offer.
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