When the farmers ride their horses to the village square on Sundays to enjoy a cup of coffee (or something stronger, like aguardiente), you can really imagine yourself in a movie…for a moment the modern life seems very far away! Therefore, our favorite thing to do in Jardín is to have a cup of coffee on the cozy square, the best place to get a good look at the village life.
Until a few years ago, Jardín was mainly known to Colombian tourists, but that has changed a lot. Other travelers are also finding their way to the laid-back coffee village, 128km -about 4 hours by bus- from Medellín. Visitors not only visit Jardín for the laid back atmosphere, but also for the gorgeous nature around the village. In the surrounding area (which is oh so green!) you can do some great hiking to viewpoints, waterfalls, caves, do some horseback riding and visit coffee plantations.
In this guide, you find detailed information about the best hikes around Jardín, the best bird spotting spots, hotel tips and how to get to Jardín. Want to visit Jardín on a guided tour, then Check out the different tours in Jardín here.
(Updated August 2025)
Activities:
1) Visit Reserva Natural Jardín de Rocas, also known as the Gallito de la Roca Preserve, is located just outside the town of Jardín. It is a nice and easy activity, due to it’s location on only 400 meters from Jardín’s main square. The private nature reserve that is situated in the canyon of the Río Volcanes. The reserve offers a unique birdwatching experience, especially in the breeding periods, when 10-25 male Andean cock-of-the-rock may gather in the late afternoon. The reserve also hosts numerous other species such as tanagers, hummingbirds, Colombian chachalacas, green jays, and more.
Opening Times & Admission Fees
Open daily with sightseeing sessions from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm (sometimes listed as 4:00‑6:00 pm). Sightings usually last about **1 hour
Price: COP 15,000 per person
Facilities: Gentle walking trails and observation points; no guided tours by default (guides can be arranged upon request)
Tip: another excellent place for birdwatching is the ProAves reserve Reserva Natural de las Aves Loro Orejiamarillo. Here you can spot the protected Yellow eared parrot.
2) Take a ride on La Garrucha
Until 2018, Jardín had a gondola known as the “Cable Aéreo de Jardín,” which led to the viewpoint at Alto de las Flores (Cristo Rey). This cable car has been closed indefinitely, but it is still possible to take a ride on the iconic La Garrucha.
This rustic wooden cable car is a small wooden “box” that glides across a deep ravine via two steel cables, connecting the town of Jardín with nearby coffee and banana plantations. The ride costs approximately COP 5,000 (around $1.25) per one-way trip. It lasts just a few minutes and offers spectacular views of the valley, the town, and the surrounding fincas (rural farms).
3) Make a trip to La Cueva del Esplendor (Cave of Splendor)
Cueva del Esplendor is a natural waterfall‑carved cave nestled in the mountains above Jardín, around 2,300 m elevation, inside a private reserve near the rural vereda La Linda, about 10 km from Jardín’s town center.
How to get there:
Option 1: Guided Tour (Jeep + Hike)
Tours start at Jardín’s central square and include transport by jeep up the mountain, followed by a short 15–20 minute downhill walk to the cave. The standard tour fare is about COP 60,000 per person, including snacks and water.
Option 2: Tuk‑tuk + Hike
1. From the town, take a tuk‑tuk ride (COP 25,000–30,000) to where the dirt trail begins (approx. 6 km uphill)
2. Hike for 1 to 2 hours to reach the entrance house. At the house, you pay COP 20,000 per person entrance fee and can hire a local guide (recommended) to reach the cave safely via a steep and slippery trail with rope sections
Option 3: Full Hike
1. Walk the entire route (approx.3 hours one way, 16 miles round trip). It’s challenging and not well marked, not recommended unless you have hiking experience and offline maps (e.g. Maps.Me)
2. The final descent to the cave takes about 20 minutes from the owner’s house; expect slippery paths with ropes for supp-ort.
3. At the cave: a spectacular 40 meter waterfall pours through a cave opening into a natural pool. Swimming is possible but water is very cold.
Tips for visiting:
1. Guided option recommended due to unclear paths and safety considerations.
2. Wear sturdy trail shoes, long pants, and bring sunscreen.
3. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to dip in the cave’s pool.
4. Ensure you bring cash in COP, as this is needed for entrance fees and transport.
4) Hike the trails around Jardín
Here you find the different trails, with difficulty level, duration, the highlights alond the way, how to get there and tips for your visit.
1. Cristo Rey viewpoint
Difficulty: moderate
Distance & duration: approx. 1 hour round-trip on a steep, sometimes muddy trail.
What to see: panoramic views of Jardín from the hilltop statue of Christ.
How to get there: start from Calle 11 and Carrera 2, or via the Salada trail for a longer 1.5-hour hike.
2. Cascada la Escalera
Difficulty: Easy to moderate — well-maintained trail
Distance & duration: 6.4 km round-trip, around 2 hours
What to see: Cascada la Escalera is a stunning, powerfull waterfall approx. 60 meters tall.
The trail offers lush landscapes, opportunities to wade in shallow waters, and the chance to cool off under the cascade.
How to get there: Cascada la Escalera is located about 3.2 km north of Jardín’s town center. From Jardín’s Plaza, walk northeast via Calle 13 and follow road signage to the waterfall. Alternatively, you can take a quick and inexpensive tuk-tuk from the main square who can drop you at the trailhead. You can also get there by horse. Roads can get muddy during the rainy season, making transport especially handy.
Tips for visiting:
1. Although swimming isn’t feasible in the deep areas, you can comfortably wade and cool off near the cascade’s base
2. Waterproof shoes are recommended, you need to cross a small river to get there
3. The waterfall creates a refreshing “mist”during rainy seasons, though the dry months are best for comfortable visits and avoiding slippery terrain
3. Combination of Christo Rey-Cascada la Escalera+Café Jardín
Trail 1 and 2 can easily be combined into a half day scenic loop, adding the Café Jardín.
Difficulty: moderate (some steep sections and uneven paths)
Total Distance: 7 to 8 km
Duration: around 4 hours, depending on pace and breaks
How to get there: This is a loop: you start and end in Jardín’s town center
The route step-by-step:
1. Start: Jardín Town Center
Begin your hike at Plaza del Libertador. From here, head northeast** along Calle 13 toward the trail leading to Cascada La Escalera.
2. Visit: Cascada La Escalera
Trail time: 1 hour round-trip from town
Enjoy the peaceful forest path and relax at the waterfall.
Optional: take a break and dip your feet in the stream.
3. Continue uphill to Café Jardín
From La Escalera, walk uphill via a trail or small road that connects with Café Jardín.
*The ascent takes 20–30 minutes and is a bit steep but manageable.
At Café Jardín enjoy:
* Amazing panoramic views over Jardín
* Local coffee and snacks
* Cute photo spots like the “I 💚 Jardín” sign and swing with a view
4. Final Stretch to Cristo Rey viewpoint
Just 5–10 minutes uphill from Café Jardín is the Cristo Rey statue.
From the viewpoint, you’ll have:
*Sweeping views over Jardín’s colorful rooftops
* A great place for sunset if hiking later in the afternoon
5. Descent Back to Jardín**
Take the main trail or the road downhill back to town (20–30 minutes)
Take a tuk-tuk or mototaxi if you’re tired.
Optional stops along the loop:
* Chorros de Tapartó: Further out (approx. 10 km), can be added by advanced hikers or via moto-tour.
* Mirador de la Garrucha**: Cross to the opposite side of town for a different view via cable car (adds 1–2 hours more).
4. Cascada del Amor & Charco Corazón loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance & duration: around 5 km; 1.5 hours total if including La Garrucha descent
What to see: A beautiful waterfall, a natural pool (Charco Corazón), coffee and banana farms, and a cable car descent option
How to get there: From Plaza del Libertador, follow signs near Dulces de Jardín, walk or return via La Garrucha.
5. Waterfalls + La Garrucha Loop (Waterfalls and Cable car Loop)
The loop includes multiple waterfalls and finishes with a descent via the cable car.
Difficulty: easy to moderate, the trail is well-trodden through farms and forest, with minor elevation changes and manageable terrain.
Distance & duration: 6.7 km circular route; around 1.5-2 hours, depending on pace and breaks.
What to see: multiple small waterfalls, lush jungle paths, and scenic overlooks.
* La Garrucha cable car: a homemade cable car (wooden box style), originally built for farmers, now a quirky highlight ideal for descending back into town.
* Birdwatching**: Expect bird life along the route — from turquise hummingbirds to green jays and tanagers.
How to get there:
1. Start at Jardín’s Plaza (Plaza del Libertador) and head toward the yellow bridge.
2. Cross the bridge, but don’t go straight. Turn right and follow the downhill path (unmarked).
3. Continue walking along a soft path that transitions into rural trails through farmland. The waterfall loop will begin just past this area.
4. After completing the loop, you’ll return near the town’s edge where La Garrucha cable car awaits for a scenic descent (fare COP 5,000 one way).
Tips for visiting:
* Time your walk to return before dusk, as cable car hours may be limited
* Combining a **coffee break at Café Jardín** or a detour to **Cristo Rey Viewpoint** makes for a rich half-day loop.
6. Los Siete Cascadas / Cueva de los Guácharos Trail
Difficulty: very challenging, suitable for experienced hikers
Distance & duration: full loop: approx. 7–8 hours, can include up to 7 waterfall stops
What to see: multiple waterfalls including Dragon Falls, and scenic country side and hills.
How to get there: The trail sarts near Cascada La Escalera and passes through farmland and rural paths. Guided options recommended due to poor signage.
Essential tips for hiking
1. Use clear GPS (Maps.Me recommended) 2. unmarked trails are common.
3. Hire a guide for challenging hikes like Cueva del Esplendor or Seven Waterfalls.
4. Wear proper hiking shoes and water shoes and prepare for slippery trails and river crossings
5. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent and bathing suit for swimming under waterfalls
6. Bring rain coat, especially during wet months
7. Combine jeep rides or tuk-tuks with hikes to make difficult trails more manageable.
