The 10 Most Impressive Waterfalls in Antioquia

Antioquia is a waterfall paradise

Its mountainous terrain and abundant rainfall create hundreds of falls scattered across nearly every subregion. Here is our selection of 10, with the practical details you need to plan a visit.

1. Salto de Guadalupe (Gómez Plata, Norte)

Antioquia's tallest waterfall: a 250-meter free fall and 550 meters of total height from its base. It is in the El Salto district, about 3 hours from Medellin on a paved road. There is a cable car -one of the steepest in Latin America- but it is currently restricted to EPM employees and local residents, so do not count on it as a tourist.

2. Salto del Aures (Abejorral, Oriente)

The department's second-tallest waterfall, with over 400 meters of drop (sources vary between 420 and 460 meters). It is 14 km from Abejorral's town center, in a native forest area. A local guide is recommended given the terrain.

3. Los Chorros de Tapartó (Andes, Suroeste)

Three consecutive falls of 100, 60 and 35 meters, in the La Rochela countryside. About 3 hours from Medellin.

4. Valle de las Cascadas / La Esmeralda (Cocorná and El Carmen de Viboral, Oriente)

A canyon with more than 30 waterfalls along the Santo Domingo river. La Esmeralda, the most striking, drops more than 900 meters across four consecutive falls. The full hike takes 4 to 6 hours.

5. Cascada La Peinada (Támesis, Suroeste)

A 70-meter drop, an hour and a half from downtown Támesis. Reached via a pre-Hispanic path through cloud forest.

6. Cascada del Perro (Alejandría, Oriente)

Cross a hanging bridge over the Nare river and walk about 20 minutes along the Los Dolores creek. A beginner-friendly water trail.

7. Salto del Ángel (Jardín, Suroeste)

Near the town declared one of Colombia's most beautiful, about 4 hours from Medellin.

8. Cascada Las Tinajas (Jardín, Suroeste)

Crystal-clear water forming natural pools, in the same municipality as Salto del Ángel: easy to combine both in one visit to Jardín.

9. Cascada La Cabellera de Venus (Cocorná, Oriente)

Over 100 meters of falling water surrounded by lush vegetation, in the same corridor as the Valle de las Cascadas.

10. Waterfalls and swimming holes of San Carlos (Oriente)

Over 60 waterfalls and natural pools around the municipality, including Piedra del Tabor. It is the starting point of our Waterfall Route.

Before you go

Several of these waterfalls require a local guide because of the terrain or access (Aures, Tapartó, Valle de las Cascadas). Always check road conditions and the rainy season before heading out: many of these rural areas of Antioquia become hard to access during wet months.