Santurbán

In the Andean highlands rests a little-known destination of wild beauty, where misty lands covered with wildflowers hide a network of trails that connect no fewer than fifty completely untouched lakes.

El Páramo de Santurbán was the first one to be officially delimited in the country. Its 142,000 hectares rise between 3,000 and 4,300 meters and cover 30 municipalities in the departments of Santander and Norte de Santander.

This ecosystem hosts more than 450 plant species, many of which grow only here, and about 300 animal species, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in the region.

To protect the delicate environment of Santurbán, nearby communities have been implementing sustainable economic practices, and it is expected that the role of ecotourism will become increasingly important.

The town of Vetas, east of Bucaramanga, is the best place to access the trails leading to the pristine mountain lakes.

Views and Attractions

Lagunas Negras

This pair of lakes, the most visited in the entire páramo, will amaze you within a rugged landscape where rocks and wildflowers intertwine in a whimsical way.

To reach them, follow the path that starts in Berlín and passes the local school toward Vetas. You’ll walk about one and a half kilometers along a gently sloping trail until you reach your destination. Once there, you can continue along a more challenging path with steep sections leading to the Lagunas Negras viewpoint, from where you can appreciate them from a different angle.

Hiking, Outdoor Life

Cunta Lagoon Complex

Even more challenging is the route to this group of four dark lakes located at an altitude of 3,700 meters. At the end of the trail, you can look back and see the waters surrounded by vast stretches of frailejones, one of the most iconic sights of the páramo. Due to the difficulty of this hike, you should be accompanied by a local guide.

Hiking, Outdoor Life

Laguna del Pajarito and Laguna de las Calles

From the northern part of the town of Vetas, you can reach Laguna del Pajarito, a pleasant circular pond that hides a deep valley and is considered the most beautiful of the area’s lakes. Legend has it that its now calm waters were once so turbulent they would rise and swallow the town’s inhabitants until a priest managed to calm them, turning them into the peaceful lagoon we see today.

Not far from there, at the end of one of the most popular trails, you’ll find Laguna de las Calles, an elongated lake with deep green waters framed by a steep mountain. To reach both lakes, you can drive part of the way and then continue on foot along easy trails.

Hiking, Outdoor Life

Practical Details

Accommodation

The lakes of Vetas can be visited on a day trip from the cities of Bucaramanga and Pamplona, but the excursions can be quite exhausting to complete in such a short time. If you prefer to stay closer, the town of Berlín, located along the route connecting both cities, offers hotel options for visitors.

Getting There

The most convenient airport to reach El Páramo de Santurbán is Palonegro Airport in Bucaramanga, which connects with several cities in Colombia

as well as international destinations.