Biking (and Hiking) to Villa de Leyva

After our mountainous toils to Duitama, Alonso, Arnaud and I decided to kick back and take it easy to the next port of call, Villa de Leyva. We were ready for a day off the saddle and were looking forward to reaching a town that’s considered to be amongst the most beautiful in Colombia – so much so that it was declared a national monument back in 1954 to embalm its colonial architecture.

Or so we planned.

Of course, the temptations of further adventure got the better of us, and after learning of a short that cut that followed the Rio Iguaque, we embarked on what was to become one of the finest dirt road and singletrack descents I’ve ridden for some time. And one of the most punishing hike and bikes out the other side…

P1020752.jpg

The beautiful, quiet village of Sotaquira, perched on top of a hill, felt a world away from the busy dual carriageway between Duitama and Tunja.

P1020760.jpg

The main square, with obligatory, picture-perfect whitewash church.

P1020725.jpg

Sunshine at last! Morning view from our campspot just beyond the village, perched on a lip of grassland and graced with a soundtrack of deafening cumbia from a nearby, makeshift cowboy bar.

P1020774.jpg

Some well used milk churns awaiting collection. We spotted these all along the backroads in Boyaca; they doubled up as seats for locals awaiting their collection.

P1020787.jpg

This part of Colombia is riddled with blissfully quiet backroads. And, for once, our chosen route was relatively flat.

P1020826.jpg

These are the kind of journeys I love. Traffic was scarce enough for sublimely mellow riding, broken only by the odd motorbike or jeep that we flagged down to check directions.

P1020822.jpg

More fresh milk awaiting collection. Two women presided over this this neat, Russian Doll-style set of canteens. As they sat and chatted in the sun, it seemed a far cry from the massive dairy farms in Europe.

P1020814.jpg

Locals sporting the latest in poncho fashion.

P1020899.jpg

Ribbons of dirt draped over the hills, set to dramatic mountains.

P1020900.jpg

The boys: Arnaud and Alonso.

P1020933.jpg

Poncho power. A crowd had gathered to cheer these men on, and with them came a real feeling of community.

P1020962.jpg

Then, it was time to say good by to our Colombian amigo. From here, Alonso was following the main road back to San Gil, to make it home for work the next day. I'll miss his company.

P1020974.jpg

The quickest option would have been to ride down the main highway to Arcabuco, before following a backroad straight to Villa de Leyva. But it was hard to turn down the distant dirt track that wended over the hills to the other side of the valley...

P1020983.jpg

Indeed, the views were worth the extra climb, set off magnificently by clouds that swirled above us and deep shadows that blotched the land.

P1020993.jpg

We stopped to chat to this group waiting for a bus at an unmarked junction. The sun was out and everyone was smiling. It was hard to imagine how riding in Colombia could get much better.

P1030002.jpg

The dirt track rolled on, skirting neatly around the mountains.

P1030032.jpg

It was the second junction that was to prove to be our downfall. Common sense dictated that we should press on and enjoy a relaxed afternoon in Villa de Leyva. But two passers by seemed relatively convinced there was a rideable shortcut that would lead us right into town. 'I've walked it in two hours, right to the main square,' bragged one. Apparently a bridge had been damaged by the flooding. But was it rideable? Panniers and trailer were scrutinized and an affirmative verdict was reached. We told there would be a short climb up which we might have to push, but no more than that.

P1030043-2.jpg

It started easy enough...

P1030051.jpg

We flew down this descent. Incredible riding.

P1030057.jpg

That just went on and on and on...

P1030069.jpg

Prime camping potential.

P1030082.jpg

It was hard not to linger...

P1030104.jpg

Then the trail narrowed down to some sweet singletrack.

P1030114.jpg

Before being engulfed by a swollen river.

P1030123.jpg

A little swampy in places.

P1030133.jpg

Ah ha. This would be the broken bridge.

P1030144.jpg

A balancing act. Still, nothing we couldn't handle.

P1030149.jpg

Then, crunch time. We encountered this steep and loose stone staircase. It went up...

P1030157.jpg

And up... Conditions worsened, and by this time the heavens had opened, thunder was clapping loudly all around, and our path had become a raging torrent of murky water. It was so steep and slippery we had to shuttle the bikes, trailer and gear separately, rather than pushing them up in one herculean go.

Our cut through across the range. The pin shows the position of the 'bridge'.

P1030170.jpg

Thankfully, we came across a mountain refuge with this shelter, a perfect spot to dry out and spend the night. It wasn't quite like the R&R we'd imagined in Villa de Leyva, but we were gratefully to have a makeshift home.

P1030175.jpg

The next morning we arose early, ready to tackle the descent, It went down...

P1030187.jpg

And down. Would have been fun without panniers and a trailer...

P1030195.jpg

Finally, our 'bike-able' trail, which really was no more than a rough footpath, emerged out of the steep-sided gorge back onto a jeep track. Relief...

P1030208.jpg

Villa de Leyva at last.

First things first. In Colombia, most restaurants will serve up a cheap and filling Comida Corriente. This compromises of the following: 1/thick and warming soup.

P1030265.jpg

2/hearty platter of food - in this case eggs, rice, vegetables and plantanes.

P1030258.jpg

3/jug of natural juice, such as panela - sugar cane. All this set us back 5300 pesos, or about three dollars, and left our bellies content for the rest of the day.

P1030346.jpg

Incidentally, the panela comes in roughly hewn blocks like these.

P1030235.jpg

While we're on the subject of food, other interesting observations and tastings included these sweet gelatine treats, made from 'pata de rez' - cow's feet, as far as I could understand.

P1030297.jpg

Then it was time to explore the backstreets.

P1030291.jpg

Potter around with the locals.

P1030354.jpg

Check out the old Land Rover Santanas that bounced over the cobbles.

P1030333.jpg

And catch the approach of a storm from Villa de Leyva's impressive square.

P1030315.jpg

The town was founded in 1572 and is situated at 2100m high.

P1030326.jpg

Its Plaza Mayor is apparently the biggest cobbled square in Latin America.

Villa de Leyva is also steeped in revolutionary history. Here's Antonia Ricaurte, a hero of the Colombia's War of Independence. Known as El Chispero, the Spark Lighter, he went on to blow himself up to help win the battle of San Mateo, in what is now Venezuela.

More food. I'm on a health drive at the moment, and managed to procure some organic oatmeal, nuts, raisins, almonds, maki and toasted quinoa. A great start to the day.

And finally, the trip to the local bike shop for a nose around and new inner tubes.

10 thoughts on “Biking (and Hiking) to Villa de Leyva

  1. Susie Moberly

    Wonderful words and the usual fabulous photographs (loves the milk churns and your comments) reminded me of childhood days holidaying in the hills in Wales and struggling to get the old metal milk churns to the end of the always muddy drive… yes, these people live the ‘real’ life for sure… hope all continues to be a great adventure and thanks you for sharing the story look forward to the next chapter as soon as I’ve read this!!! (I’m so greedy for words!) Hugs X

    Reply
  2. Nancy Crowell

    I really enjoyed this blog…reminded me of a picture book…it had some suspense and had me wondering what may happen. Didn’t surprise me much that you both opted for the unknown path to Villa de Leyva. 😉 Beautiful pics…My fave is of the group waiting for the bus and the little old lady walking.

    Reply
  3. gyatsola

    Those roads look very special. As usual you make what must have been a very torrid climb sounds like lots of fun. I think you should buy a mule to ride with you, might be useful on those bike hike bits!

    Reply
  4. otbiking Post author

    Thanks Claudia. Unfortunately, there´s only only so many places you can visit on one trip… And I like places that make me work to get there!

    Reply
  5. Simon

    It reminds me of horrendous weather climbing Rohtang and then having to cross the washed out road on the other side carrying panniers and bikes backwards and forwards.

    On a healthy eating drive! You could at chocolate bars dawn to dusk and still be in calorie deficit!

    Stay safe and look forward to catching up soon…S

    Reply
  6. claudia bolivar

    Hi mi nombre es Rosaura soy natal de sotaquira gracias por mostrar mi bello municipio boyacense de gente agradable esa es la verdadera cara de colombia visiten Sotaquira no se arrepentiran.
    Att: Rosaura Nova

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.