Cycling day trip from La Calera to Barrio San Luis

This route takes you from the mountain town of La Calera, just east of Bogotá, down toward Barrio San Luis, on Bogotá’s southern edge. Over roughly 21.5 km, you’ll climb and descend through beautiful Andean scenery, reaching elevations over 3,200 meters—so be ready for thin air and stunning panoramas! The ride isn’t for the faint of heart: you’ll tackle over 1,150 meters of climbing, much of it on gravel or unpaved surfaces (so a mountain or gravel bike is a must!).

La Calera is famous for its chilly climate and breathtaking views of Bogotá below, while Barrio San Luis is a lively working-class district with a local vibe and lots of street food options for a celebratory snack when you finish. Expect mostly quiet rural roads and tracks and almost no dedicated cycleways—meaning you’ll enjoy lots of solitude and a real taste of Colombia’s mountains. Just make sure to pack layers, snacks, and plenty of water!