Origins
Long before the road that climbs to Santa Elena was drawn on the map, even before Medellín began to take shape, people were already walking through these mountains. The Camino Real de Piedras Blancas is not simply a hiking route for tourists; it is a vestige of the network of bridle paths that connected the Santa Elena highlands with the Aburrá Valley and the towns of eastern Antioquia, such as Guarne, Rionegro, and Marinilla.
During colonial times and much of the 19th century, these paths were the only way to move cargo and people between the mountain and the valley. Muleteers with mules loaded with panela, potatoes, corn, and charcoal descended along trails that still exist, covered in leaf litter and Andean oak. The arrival of the road brought with it the forgetting of many of these routes. Some were lost under pastures, others survived as rural trails, and a few — such as the Piedras Blancas stretch — have been maintained because they cross forest reserve and cloud forest areas.
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The name Piedras Blancas comes from the rock formations and streams that descend from the Santa Elena ridge. The Piedras Blancas reservoir, built in the 20th century to supply water to Medellín, altered part of the landscape, but the trails around it are still the same ones used by farmers to communicate between villages.
Historical milestones
- Pre-Hispanic era: The indigenous peoples who inhabited the Santa Elena highlands and eastern Antioquia used these mountain passes to connect the Aburrá Valley with the Rionegro and Guarne valleys. They were not paved roads, but dirt and stone trails that followed the ridges and streams.
- Colonial period and 19th century: The path became established as a muleteer route. Santa Elena became the agricultural pantry of Medellín, and along these trails came much of the charcoal, potatoes, and panela that fed the city.
- 20th century: The road reached Santa Elena and the bridle path lost its commercial function. The construction of the Piedras Blancas reservoir redefined land use in the area.
- Recent decades: The area was integrated into the reserve system and the territory of Parque Arví. The trails were rehabilitated as ecological hiking routes, with signage and maintenance by local operators and the community.
Protagonists of the trail
On this route, the true protagonist is not an individual character, but the anonymous muleteer. There are no statues or heroes cast in bronze at the trailhead. What there is are farming families from Santa Elena and Guarne who, over generations, have kept these trails open, and communities that today strive to care for the cloud forests that surround them.
A key event in this story is the designation of much of the area as a reserve and its incorporation into the territory of Parque Arví, which halted the expansion of the agricultural frontier and allowed the Andean forest — oak, cedar, siete cueros, tree ferns — to be preserved. Thanks to this, today we can walk under a closed canopy and listen to the calls of mountain guans, toucans, and motmots, instead of encountering bare pastures.
Another relevant aspect is the recovery of the route as an organized hiking product. Local operators offer the Circuito Bosques de Piedras Blancas as a guided hike, and Wikiloc communities have documented the route for those who prefer to venture out on their own. This combination of conservation and recreational use is what keeps the trail alive.
Current state
Today, the Camino Real de Piedras Blancas is traveled on foot, no longer by mule. The route connects the Santa Elena district with the Piedras Blancas reserve and, in its longest version, descends toward Guarne. It is a medium-difficulty trek, with stretches of sustained ascent and technical descent over loose stone, requiring a medium-high fitness level.
The trail is mostly well marked, crossing streams, creeks, a reservoir, and camping areas. There are restaurants and support points in the Piedras Blancas sector, although it is advisable to carry water and food, since services are scattered. Altitude plays an important role: between 2,400 and 2,700 meters above sea level, the sun feels strong and the weather changes quickly. In October 2026, as in any month, it is advisable to start early, carry a rain layer, sunscreen, and footwear with good traction.
Camino Real de Piedras Blancas
This is the historic stretch used by muleteers to connect Santa Elena with Guarne. You walk along a dirt and stone trail, between cloud forest and pasture edges, enjoying views of the Aburrá Valley in the clearings. This is not a flat path or a light stroll: there are steep slopes and stretches where you need to use your hands. The satisfaction of walking along a route that is centuries old, not decades old, is incomparable.
If you decide to go on your own, make sure to download the Wikiloc track before setting out, since cell signal is intermittent. If you prefer to have a guide, several operators from Santa Elena and Medellín offer the full hike with transportation from the city.
Circuito Bosques de Piedras Blancas
This is the most accessible and ecological version of the area: a circuit of approximately 6 kilometers along marked trails within the reserve, passing streams, creeks, and the Piedras Blancas reservoir. Ideal for those who want to enjoy nature and history without committing to the full journey to Guarne. The forest is dense, humid, and full of birds; it is one of the few places near Medellín where you walk under a closed canopy almost the entire time.
The circuit can be completed in a few hours, but it is worth taking the time to observe the flora and fauna. There are camping areas and restaurants in the sector. It is recommended to check schedules and trail conditions before visiting, especially during the rainy season.
Santa Elena (starting point)
The Santa Elena district is the gateway. You can get there from downtown Medellín via the road that climbs east, either by intercity bus or private car. From the main square of Santa Elena, the trails toward Piedras Blancas become visible. It is a cold-climate town, with fondas, bakeries, and vendors of flowers and charcoal. This is where you can get your last supply of water and adjust your gear before heading into the trail.
The exact start of the trail in the Piedras Blancas village is located in the reserve sector, near the reservoir. It is advisable to ask in Santa Elena or check the track before setting out, since there are several access points and not all are equally well marked.
Guarne (arrival)
If you decide to do the full journey, you will arrive in Guarne, a municipality in eastern Antioquia that has a main square, a church, and a quiet plaza where you can breathe the air of a small town. This is the perfect place to enjoy a sancocho or a bandeja paisa in a traditional fonda after hours of hiking. Reference prices for October 2026 for lunch in a fonda range between $15,000 and $45,000 COP, depending on the dish and the place.
From Guarne there are frequent buses back to Medellín, so it is not necessary to leave your car in Santa Elena if you decide to do the point-to-point route. Be sure to check the last bus schedule before setting out, since frequency decreases at night.
Logistics and permits
No special permit is required to hike the Camino Real or the Circuito Bosques de Piedras Blancas, but it is recommended to go with a guide if you are not familiar with the area, especially on the stretch toward Guarne. The ideal time for the hike is the dry season, between December and March, although the cloud forest always remains humid. In October 2026, a rainy month, it is essential to be prepared for mud and showers.
Some concrete recommendations: start early (before 7 a.m.), carry at least two liters of water per person, sunscreen even if it is cloudy, a rain layer, trekking poles if you have knee problems, and footwear with good traction. Altitude can be deceptive: at 2,500 meters the sun burns and the cold sets in quickly when you stop. Do not forget to carry out your trash, do not leave the marked trail, and let someone know your route and estimated return time.
If you wish to document another camino real in Antioquia or have questions about this route, do not hesitate to contact us. The idea is for these paths to remain alive, not only on old maps.
