Category: Biking – Hike
Duration: 1/2 Days
Name of the Route: Camino Nacional – La Carbonera (Wax Palm forest)
Difficulty: MODERATE Level 2
Description:
For those physically active, with a spirit of adventure and who have some experience riding a bike over irregular terrain (Dirty road). The cycling has three stages: The first one is a 2 km (Aprox 1,2 Miles) in a gentle ascent (From Salento to Pilones View Point); the second stage has 2 km in ascent- (crossing the line at an altitude of 3200 m) then 7 km (4 miles) in descent and the Third and last stage with 17Km down hill from the El Rocío to Salento.
The walk inside the Wax palm forest is moderate with an approximate length of 1.8 km (1,1 miles) along an irregular path with mud and some sectors with free exposure (no shadow) The wind in the mountains is cold and persistent.
Meeting place 7:00 a.m. At the Paramo Trek office. A briefing of the activity will be carried out, the bicycles will be delivered and a bicycle tour will begin through some streets and sectors of Salento with the purpose of knowing the architectural and heritage characteristics of the town; the route continues along the National Road road for 2 km ascent (average slope of 10%) to the Pilones view point ; On this site you can see a beautiful view of Salento; From here the tour continues in a jeep until ” Finca El Rocío”. (An intermediate stop is made at the Primavbera view point). From El Rocío and after enjoying a delicious coffee or Chocolate, we will continue for 11 km ciclyng to the wax Palm Forest at La carbonera; This part of the route presents an initial ascent of 2 km with an average slope of 10% to the highest point of the road (3200 m.s.n.m) and subsequently a descent of 7 km to the wax palm forest; in this point we will walk into the forest to appreciate the wax palms in its natural environment. Then we will come back to Finca El Rocio to enjoy a peasant lunch. After lunch we will start the return down hill to Salento.
Minimum altitude 1850 m.s.n.m (Salento)
Maximum altitude 3280 m.s.n.m ( crossing the central range mountain)
Intermediate Altitudes:
El Rocío 2900 m.s.n.m
Palm of Wax Forest 1900 m.s.n.m