Carrera 5 to the Páramo
Pijao
Long Run·13.33 km·601 m elevation
About this route
One of the most underrated long run options in the Colombian coffee region. Start at Pijao's town plaza and follow Carrera 5 out of town — pavement gives way to dirt road quickly, and from there it's a straight climb toward the páramo. You can turn around whenever you like; 11 km is a solid effort, but the road continues well beyond 30 km if you have the legs for it. Just know that this route only goes one direction: up. Dress accordingly — it gets genuinely cold as you gain altitude, and the weather can change fast near the páramo. At around 5 km a large park in honor of María is under construction — no services yet, but worth watching as a future resupply point. The Pijao Trail race is held on this route, which tells you everything about the local reputation of this road.
Safety
Straightforward navigation — just follow Carrera 5. The bigger risk is the cold. Bring a windproof layer even on warm mornings in town; the temperature drops significantly with altitude.
Water & drinks
No stores on route until the María park opens. Small streams along the way — bring a filter or purification tabs and carry enough to get you through the lower section.
Dogs
No significant stray dog problem, but locals specifically warned about flocks of aggressive dogs somewhere on route. Location unknown — if a group blocks your path, turn around. Finca dogs are present but behind gates.
Start point
Pijao town plaza, head out on Carrera 5.
Distance
13.33 km
Elevation Gain
601 m
Est. Time
1 h 43 min
Surface
Mixed