Chicamocha Canyon Rim Drive
Colombia's Grand Canyon rim adventure
The Chicamocha rim drive cuts along one of South America’s deepest canyons, where the Chicamocha River carved a gorge deeper than the Grand Canyon through rust-red rock. The route from Aratoca to Jordan follows precarious shelf roads with thousand-foot drops and no guardrails, passing abandoned silver mines where Spanish conquistadors once worked indigenous slaves. The descent to Pescadero village tests brakes and nerves on switchbacks that drop 2,000 feet in three miles.
Moderate difficulty for experienced drivers, requiring good brakes, steady nerves, and high-clearance vehicles. Rainy season (April-November) makes the clay sections treacherous and rockfall more likely. Dry season offers clearer views but brutal heat in the canyon bottom. No permits needed, but fuel up in Barichara or San Gil — services are sparse. The payoff is camping on canyon rims with sunrise views over badlands that look more like Arizona than Colombia, plus access to colonial villages untouched by tourist crowds.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6890 ft |
| Best season | December-March |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | San Gil, Santander |
| Land manager | Regional roads - no specific agency |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jimny or Hilux handle this trail, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum — think Jimny, Hilux, 4Runner, or Defender. The mixed dirt, rock, and loose surface sections don't require a lift, but low-range and decent all-terrain tires matter when the track gets rough near the canyon rim edges.
What months should I avoid, and what happens if rain catches me out here?
Avoid April through November — Colombia's rainy seasons turn the dirt and mixed surface sections into slick clay that can strand even capable rigs. December through March is the dry window; that's when you go.
Do I need any permits or fees to run this trail?
No permits required — this route follows regional roads with no specific land management agency overseeing access. No fees at the trailhead either, though some private land you skirt near the rim may have informal toll gates run by locals for a few thousand pesos.
What's the hardest section actually like, and where does it hit?
The gnarliest sections are the rocky descents and ascents near the canyon rim itself, where exposed ledge rock and loose gravel combine with narrow track and serious drop-offs on one side. It's not a white-knuckle trail, but inattention here costs you — take it slow, pick your line, and don't rush the 2-day timeline.
How far is the nearest fuel stop, and can I get water along the route?
Fuel up fully in San Gil before you leave — there are no reliable gas stations along the 38-mile route. Water crossings exist on trail, but treat everything before drinking; a few small villages mid-route may sell bottled water, but don't count on it.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.