Cascada Guatoque


Accessible by the nerve-racking Paso de Angel path outside the small town of Santa Sofía, this pretty 80m waterfall empties into a fine pool. The final parts of the trail are very steep and are bordered by sheer drops. Go with a guide from Villa de Leyva. The path finishes at the top of the waterfall; under no circumstances should visitors attempt to make their way down to the base of the falls without a professional guide – the descent is highly dangerous.

The only safe path to get down to the pool winds through the mountains a fair distance from the top of the falls. It's a tricky two-hour hike, but the reward is a refreshing dip in a wonderfully isolated swimming hole.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Paso de Angel

0.84 MILES

This vertigo-inducing mountain path running along a ridge on the way to the Guatoque waterfall is a popular attraction in its own right. At its narrowest…

2. Cascada El Hayal

2 MILES

This impressive narrow waterfall plunges 60m from a limestone canyon down a multicolored rock face. When there's a lot of water a shallow pool suitable…

3. Convento del Santo Ecce Homo

5.85 MILES

Founded by the Dominican fathers in 1620, this convent is a large stone-and-adobe construction with a huge, faintly regal courtyard. The floors are paved…

4. Estación Astronómica Muisca

7.57 MILES

The Estación Astronómica Muisca dates from the early centuries AD and was used by the Muiscas to determine the seasons. This Stonehenge-like site contains…

6. El Fósil

8.8 MILES

This impressive 120-million-year-old baby-kronosaurus fossil is the world’s most complete specimen of this prehistoric marine reptile. The fossil is 7m…

7. Casa de Barro

9.37 MILES

One of Villa de Leyva's most magnificent buildings is the Gaudí-esque Casa de Barro, an artistic house made from entirely handworked clay fired in stages…

8. Iglesia del Carmen

9.68 MILES

This church is currently in religious service and has interesting paintings in the chancel and on the wooden structure supporting the roof.