Páramo de Santurbán, hiking a moorland full of life

This is a place where life is born. The Paramo de Santurbán is a magnificent place with cold weather and breathtaking landscapes. A moorland located at a very high altitude. The moors located in Colombia represent 50% of the moors in the world, and 70% of the country depends directly on the water they generate. 

This moorland is located in the eastern mountain range of the Colombian Andes in the departments of Santander and Norte de Santander. It has an approximate extension of 142,000 hectares, and an altitude between 2,800 and 4290 meters above sea level.

This is a place of high importance. It is home to an invaluable diversity in flora and fauna, with about 293 species of fauna, 457 varieties of plants, 42 species of birds, 39 of mammals, and 26 lagoons, the most popular of which is the Laguna Negra. The weather usually ranges from cold to extremely cold, with moderate to heavy rainfall with temperatures below 0ºC and maximum temperatures exceeding 35ºC. 

The Paramo de Santúrban is recognized for the amount of water sources harbor. It is estimated that more than two million people depend on these natural water sources.  

How to get there

The easiest way to get there is from Bucaramanga. You can fly or take a bus from any other city in the country to Bucaramanga. Once in the town, you take the route towards the city of Berlín and, in there, take a left detour towards the municipality of Vetas. You can go on your own or book one of the many tours that go there. On the weekend, there is an option for a day trip, or if you prefer, you can stay overnight, depending on your schedule. 

Useful Information

There is a fee of USD 3 per person to go into the area of the lagoons, and if you go on a group of more than ten people, then it is USD 2 each. It is advisable to call and book a spot before going there since they only allow 100 people at a time. If you go on a tour, they usually deal with that themselves. 

For people with an illness such as diabetes, it is advisable to check with your doctor first before going. It is not very suitable for kids younger than eight years old or people over 60 years old. The altitude is very high, so make sure you are in good shape and with good health when you are embarking on this adventure. Take the altitude very seriously; many people can suffer from dizziness, strong headaches, and breathing difficulties, amongst other sensations due to the height. 

The hiking trail to visit Laguna Negra is marked with red rocks to make it easy to get around without getting lost. Other than the Laguna Negra, which is the most visited lagoon in the area, there is a complex of 5 lagoons called Complejo Lagunar de Cunta. For this one, you will need to go with a guide since it is such a big area and there are different roads around. The fee to get into this part is USD 2,5.

Where to stay

If your planning to spend the night around this fantastic area, you can stay in the town of Berlin and a place called Refugio Piedra Parada, which* **is unique for nature lovers. You can stay in a beautiful cabin in the shape of charming pods located in a garden- a perfect spot for stargazing. At this place you can practice fishing, the most common fish in the area is the trout. It is a hotel where you can have an exciting experience between nature and adventure.  You can find good food in the property and can also practice activities such as ecological walking, cycling tour, *and a few more.

When visiting this amazing place, I advise you not to see it only with your eyes, but be there with all your senses. This is a destination full of life and breathtaking landscapes. Connect with all that nature, the endless energy that flows from it, admire it, and also experience it.