Hiking the Camino Real from Barichara to Guane & Villanueva

The Camino Real is a historic stone trail system in Colombia’s Santander region, originally built by the Indigenous Guane people and later restored and expanded in the 19th century by German engineer Geo von Lengerke. The most famous stretch connects Barichara to Guane, a scenic downhill hike lined with stone walls, dry forest vegetation, and dramatic canyon views. Designated as a Colombian National Monument, the trail is one of the best-preserved examples of pre-modern infrastructure in the country.

Although the Barichara–Guane segment is the most frequented, the larger Camino Real network historically linked various towns across the region, including Cabrera, Villanueva, Zapatoca, and Jordan. Many sections remain walkable today, offering a blend of cultural heritage and natural landscapes. The Camino Real is not a single trail but a web of interconnected routes—making the area ideal not only for a straightforward half-day walk, but also for longer, more exploratory hikes through the Santander countryside.

Stone Camino Real path through dry forest with mossy walls and a rustic gate in Santander, Colombia — A quiet stretch of the Camino Real between Guane and Villanueva

As we only had two full days in Barichara—and spent one exploring the village itself—we were left with just a single day for hiking. We chose the classic segment to Guane and extended it with the additional stretch to Villanueva. Below, I’ll share a trip report of this hike, along with some of my photos, a video, useful route info, and the GPX files for both segments.

Hiking in the region is very safe, and the trails are easy to follow. However, if you’re not comfortable hiking alone—or simply prefer some company—you can also join an organized hike to Guane. Several additional tours explore more remote sections of the Camino Real as well.

A cow reaches up to graze on low tree branches beside the Camino Real hike near Barichara, Colombia — Sorry for the interruption

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Camino Real from Barichara to Guane

We left our lovely guesthouse around 8 a.m., and after a quick breakfast at a French café, we set off on our hike. The trail to Guane begins at the northwestern edge of the village, next to the monument of Simón Bolívar (📍trailhead).

Simón Bolívar monument in Barichara beside a whitewashed colonial building and tiled roof, the Camino Real trailhead to Guane — The statue of Simón Bolívar by the trailhead to Guane

The stretch from Barichara to Guane is about 5.6 kilometers long, losing roughly 300 meters in elevation, and it never felt rushed or demanding. From the moment we stepped onto the old cobbled surface of the Camino Real, the pace naturally slowed. The stones are uneven in places, polished smooth by centuries of use, and they force you to watch your footing just enough to stay present.

Cobbled Camino Real trail near Barichara, bordered by stone walls and dry forest vegetation — Along the Camino Real

Almost immediately, the views began to open up. The trail runs along the edge of the Cañón del Río Suárez, with long sightlines across dry hills and distant ridges, the landscape shifting subtly as we descended. Despite the heat of the day, the walk was more comfortable than expected. Large sections of the path are shaded by trees and low vegetation, offering frequent breaks from the sun, and the air felt surprisingly fresh whenever a breeze moved through the canyon.

Stone gateway on the Camino Real trail near Barichara, with dry forest, rocks, and a dirt path in Santander, Colombia — A weathered stone entrance

The route winds through working countryside rather than untouched wilderness. We passed modest homes, small farms, and fenced plots where cows and horses grazed peacefully just off the trail. At one point, we came across a simple restaurant catering mainly to hikers, and a second one—still under construction—a bit further along, hinting at the trail’s growing popularity.

Mountain canyon view along the Camino Real near Barichara, with hillside homes and dry green slopes — A wide view over the Cañón del Río Suárez

What stayed with me most was the soundscape. Birds were everywhere: chirping from the trees, fluttering across the path, disappearing into the brush as we approached. Apart from that, there was very little noise—no traffic, no crowds—just the steady crunch of stone underfoot and the occasional greeting from someone passing in the opposite direction.

Bright red-and-black Vermilion Flycatcher bird perched on a branch in the dry forest along the Camino Real near Barichara, Colombia — Vermilion Flycatcher

👉 Get the GPX file of the route from Barichara to Guane

A Walk in Guane

With several photo stops, it took us just about two hours to reach Guane. It felt like stepping into a quieter, more paused version of Barichara. The village is small and compact, built around low stone houses with tiled roofs and thick whitewashed walls that seem designed as much for the climate as for aesthetics.

“Yo ♥ Guane” sign in Guane’s main square, with trees and white colonial buildings behind it — A cheerful welcome to Guane

We walked straight into the main square, a simple open space bordered by the village church, a handful of modest buildings, and a picturesque clock tower. The church dominates the scene without being imposing, its façade worn and understated, fitting naturally into the scale of the village. Off to one side of the square, a basketball court added an unexpectedly everyday touch—kids playing, locals chatting on the sidelines.

Stone church facade in Guane, Santander, with an arched entrance, bell tower, and cross against a cloudy sky — Guane’s main church

A few tuk-tuks were parked in the shade, drivers waiting patiently for tired hikers looking for a ride back to Barichara. Around them were several small cafés, casual restaurants, and souvenir shops selling locally made crafts and simple mementos of the Camino Real. Nothing felt pushy or overly commercial.

Souvenir shop in Guane, Santander, with woven bags and handmade crafts beside a cobbled Camino Real street — A small stop for handicrafts along Guane’s quiet streets

On the east side of the square sits the Paleontological Museum of Guane, a small local museum dedicated to fossils found in the surrounding area. The collection focuses mainly on marine specimens, a reminder that this dry landscape was once covered by sea millions of years ago. Since we had more to hike, we didn’t have enough time to go. But I bet it’s worth a visit if you have time.

Stone fountain in Guane’s main square, with a basketball court, white buildings, and palm trees under a cloudy blue sky — The square fountain

We only stopped for a quick coffee and a fresh juice, and continued toward Villanueva.

Camino Real from Guane to Villanueva

The stretch from Guane to Villanueva is noticeably different in character. At around 8.4 kilometers, with roughly 600 meters of elevation gain before dropping again into town, it feels more like a proper hike than the largely downhill walk to Guane. The trail is also less consistent. Right after leaving Guane, maintenance drops off, and the route alternates between narrow footpaths, stretches of dirt road, and one short section where the trail is partially overgrown, forcing us to push through vegetation and double-check our footing.

Curving Camino Real trail between Guane and Villanueva, with a stone path, grassy edges, and red flowering plants beside the hillside — A greener stretch of the Camino Real as the hike leaves Guane behind

Man standing beside a motorcycle on a rough Camino Real trail in Santander, Colombia — Friendly local

As we climbed, the views gradually shifted. Instead of looking back toward the Río Suárez canyon, the landscape opened up to the north and east, with wider valleys and gentler hills replacing the sharper canyon walls. Two viewpoints stood out in particular: the Mirador de la Virgen (📍map) and the Mirador del Valle (📍map).

Wide view from the Mirador del Valle of Camino Real hike near Guane and Villanueva, with green hills, valleys, and distant mountains under cloudy skies. — A broad view from Mirador del Valle

Small roadside shrine with a brick backdrop, a Virgin Mary statue, flowers, and kneeling figures along the Camino Real hike near Guane and Villanueva, Santander — Mary shrine at Mirador de la Virgen

Toward the end of the route, we caught up with a small group of four other foreign hikers. They were walking the same route as us for the day but planned to overnight in Villanueva and continue on toward the Chicamocha Canyon the following morning. It was a brief but friendly encounter—one of those moments that quietly reinforces how these old routes still connect people moving through the landscape at the same pace.

Animal skull mounted on a tree trunk along the Camino Real near Guane, with cloudy sky and Santander hills in the background — A stark trail marker

From Guane, it took us just under two hours to reach Villanueva. The final descent eased gradually into town, marking the end of a longer and more varied section of the walk, and setting a clear contrast between the historic stone paths behind us and whatever came next.

Two hikers descending a dirt section of the Camino Real toward Villanueva, with wide Santander valley views under cloudy skies — Descending toward Villanueva

👉 Get the GPX file of the route from Guane to Villanueva

A Walk in Villanueva

We headed straight for the main square on arrival and then wandered a little through the surrounding streets. Villanueva felt immediately different from Guane—busier, more functional, but still calmer and less tourist-oriented than Barichara. There was more movement, more everyday noise, and a clearer sense that this was a place people pass through rather than linger in.

Large shady tree in Villanueva’s main square, with benches, paths, and low buildings around it — Villanueva’s main square

Like much of the region, Villanueva has colonial roots, though its layout and atmosphere reflect a more pragmatic evolution. The architecture is simpler and less uniform than in Barichara, with low buildings, modest facades, and streets shaped more by use than by preservation. It felt grounded and local, without trying to perform for visitors.

Man in a hat sits on a park bench with a walking stick in Villanueva, Santander — Local man chilling on the bench

We stopped for a quick drink near the square to cool down and give our legs a short break before dealing with logistics.

Young child seated at an outdoor table with a small vase of white flowers in Villanueva, Santander — Pretty

Couple relaxing on a bench in Villanueva — Ice cream and romance on the bench

From Villanueva, there are a few ways back to Barichara. One option was to take a local bus toward El Chorro for 4,000 COP per person and then change to another bus for Barichara. In the end, we opted for the simpler solution: a tuk-tuk. The initial price was 30,000 COP, but after a bit of back-and-forth, we agreed on 25,000 COP, which felt fair after a long day on foot.

Tuk-tuks parked in Villanueva’s main square under a large tree, with colonial-style buildings in the background — Tuk-tuks waiting in Villanueva’s square

It was a straightforward end to a full hike—less dramatic than the trail itself, but practical and unremarkable in the best possible way.

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