Camino Real Barichara to Guane: Cobblestone Trail Walk

Walk a restored colonial path and discover why the Guane Indians built it with stone

The Camino Real is a 5.5 km walk from Barichara to Guane on a wide cobblestone trail declared a national monument in 1977. A guide leads you through the route at your own pace, sharing the history of the path and stories of the region, then you explore Guane's viewpoints and church before returning to Barichara. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a gastronomic experience, and all-risks insurance are included. The full outing takes 6 to 9 hours depending on your starting point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike from Barichara to Guane and return

• Pick up from hotel
• Travel to Barichara
• Start 5.5 km Camino Real hike
• Listen to guide's stories and history
• Explore Guane town and rest
• Return to Barichara by foot or bus
• Travel back to hotel

The experience

If you've just arrived in Santander or have a free afternoon, this walk fills a day without requiring you to arrange transport or navigate on your own. The Camino Real itself is the draw: a stone path built by the Guane Indians centuries ago, restored in 1988, and wide enough that the route is straightforward even if you've never hiked it before. The trail runs 5.5 km and takes 2 to 3 hours to walk, with low-to-medium difficulty, so most people finish without strain. Your guide walks with you at your own pace, explaining the history of why this path mattered decades ago and how the local community is working to keep it alive through tourism.

Once you reach Guane, the smaller of the two towns, you have free time to rest, grab a cold local drink, and wander the viewpoints, church and narrow streets lined with old houses. The cobblestones continue through town, and there's no rush. You set the rhythm. On the return to Barichara, you walk the same path back, or if your legs are spent, a small bus runs the route so you don't have to repeat the full distance on foot.

The gastronomic experience is woven into the day, and all-risks insurance covers you throughout. You'll need comfortable trekking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and water. The operator notes the walk happens in all weather, so dress for heat and sun. Pickup happens from your hotel in Barichara, Bucaramanga or San Gil depending on which option you choose at checkout, and the transfer time is counted as part of the total duration.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Barichara, Bucaramanga or San Gil.
• a live guide in English or Spanish who walks the trail with you and shares the history and local stories.
• a gastronomic experience.
• and all-risks insurance covering the full day.

Options for this experience

3 options

Pick-up in BaricharaGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00Pickup is included for departures from Barichara

Pickup is offered in San GilGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00Pickup is included for departures from San Gil

Pick-up in BucaramangaGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00Pickup is included for departures from Bucaramanga

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (4 to 85 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Gran Colombia Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to walk the full 5.5 km trail with a guide setting the pace, or prefer the bus option for the return so you can walk harder on the way there.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How long does it take to walk from Barichara to Guane on the Camino Real?

The Camino Real is 5.5 km and takes 2 to 3 hours to walk at a comfortable pace. The full day, including pickup, the walk, time in Guane and the return, runs 6 to 9 hours depending on where you're picked up.

What is the Camino Real and why is it important?

The Camino Real is a stone path built by the Guane Indians and declared a national monument in 1977. It was restored in 1988 and remains a faithful reflection of the region's indigenous heritage and construction methods. Your guide explains its history and why the local community is working to preserve it.

Do I have to walk all the way back to Barichara, or can I take transport?

You walk the same 5.5 km route back to Barichara at your own pace, but if you're tired after exploring Guane, a small bus runs the return trip so you don't have to repeat the full distance on foot.

What's included in the tour, and what should I bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a gastronomic experience, a live guide in English or Spanish, and all-risks insurance are included. Bring comfortable trekking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and water. The operator recommends light clothes since the walk can be hot and the tour runs in all weather.

Where can I be picked up for this tour?

You choose your pickup location at checkout: Barichara, Bucaramanga or San Gil. The transfer time to the start of the Camino Real is included in the total duration.