Santa Rita Waterfall Salento Hike Tour: Forest Walk

Trek through forest trails and old tunnels to discover a secluded waterfall.

A guided tour from Salento, Filandia, Armenia or Pereira that combines a forest hike ending at Santa Rita waterfall with a walking tour of Salento's colonial architecture. The hike takes you through muddy slopes and rugged trails to a 20-meter waterfall surrounded by forest, followed by a walk through the town's adobe houses, colorful balconies and the viewpoint at Alto de la Cruz. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, park entry, a guide in English or Spanish, and a panela con queso snack. The full experience runs five to six hours and operates in all weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike to waterfall and Salento tour

• Start tour from Filandia, Armenia, or Pereira
• Hike through Colombian forest to Santa Rita waterfall
• Rest and enjoy panela with cheese treat
• Walk through Salento streets and admire architecture
• Visit Alto de la Cruz viewpoint

The experience

The hike itself is the draw here. You walk into Colombian forest on unconventional trails (muddy slopes, rugged ground), and the path itself becomes part of what you see. At the end, Santa Rita waterfall appears: a 20-meter drop surrounded by trees, the kind of place that feels removed from the usual tourist loop because you had to work to get there. Once you've rested and eaten the panela con queso treat the guide brings, you leave the forest behind.

Then the tour shifts. You head into Salento proper and walk its streets on foot with the guide pointing out what matters: the adobe and mud houses from the early 1900s, the wooden balconies painted in bright colors, gates decorated with flowers. The architecture is authentic because the town was built this way and has stayed this way. The walk ends at Alto de la Cruz, a viewpoint above the town where you can see Salento's church, the surrounding mountains, and on clear days, part of Armenia and the peaks of Los Nevados National Natural Park. The guide handles navigation so you don't waste time getting lost.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and you can start from Filandia, Armenia, Salento or Pereira depending on where you're staying. The guide will contact you the day before to answer questions or help with any needs. Bring comfortable hiking shoes (the forest trails are muddy and steep), and bring water and sunscreen. The guide will remind you to keep hydrating. A cane helps if you need it, and a camera is worth the weight.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Filandia, Armenia, Salento or Pereira.
• Santa Rita Natural Park entrance.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• all risk insurance.
• a panela con queso snack at the waterfall.

Options for this experience

4 options

Pickup in SalentoGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00Departing from Salento, pickup is included

Pickup in FilandiaGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00Departing from Filandia, pickup is included

Pickup in ArmeniaGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00Departing from Armenia, pickup is included

Pickup in PereiraGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00Departing from Pereira, pickup is included

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 07:00, the last at 11:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (4 to 80 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 effortPets welcome

Operated by Gran Colombia Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want the hike and the town walk together in one morning or afternoon: the two experiences complement each other, and the guide's knowledge of both the forest and Salento's history means you're not piecing the day together yourself. If you're staying in any of the four towns, pickup is included, so the logistics are already settled.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How steep is the hike to Santa Rita waterfall?

The hike goes up and down through muddy slopes and rugged trails, so it is not a flat walk. The unconventional route and the terrain are what make the forest feel immersive, but you will need comfortable hiking shoes and should be prepared for uneven ground. The guide sets the pace and you can rest at the waterfall itself before heading back.

What is the viewpoint at Alto de la Cruz like?

Alto de la Cruz sits above Salento and gives you a view of the town's church, the surrounding landscape, and on clear days, part of Armenia and the mountains of Los Nevados National Natural Park. It is one of the stops on the walking tour through Salento's streets.

Can I start the tour from where I'm staying?

Hotel pickup is included, and you can begin from Filandia, Armenia, Salento or Pereira. The guide will contact you the day before to confirm the pickup time and location.

What is panela con queso?

Panela con queso is a traditional Colombian treat made from unrefined whole cane sugar paired with fresh cheese. The guide brings it to the waterfall so you can eat and regain energy before the walk back through the forest.

Does the tour run if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so rain or clouds will not cancel it. Dress appropriately for wet conditions and bring shoes that grip muddy ground. The forest and the waterfall are worth seeing even when the sky is overcast.