A short climb over the eastern ridge reaches a different landscape of pine slopes, dairy farms and the deep blue Embalse San Rafael, a drinking-water reservoir with walking trails and a visitor centre operated by the city water utility. The road up is the city's classic cycling ascent, and roadside stalls at Patios sell arepas and canelazo above a full panorama of Bogota.
| Distance | 18 km east of Bogota over the Cerros Orientales |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 40-60 minutes by car; about 1 hour by bus |
| Getting there | Mode: Bus; Detail: Intermunicipal buses climb from Calle 72 and Avenida Circunvalar over the ridge to La Calera village, passing the reservoir turn-off |
| Cost | Bus fares of about COP 12,000 return (about USD 3.81); reservoir visitor area entry roughly COP 8,000-12,000 (about USD 2.54-3.81) |
| Address | Embalse San Rafael, Via La Calera Km 3, La Calera, Cundinamarca, Colombia |
How to get there
- Bus: Bogota (Calle 72 / Circunvalar) to La Calera, COP 5,000-8,000 (about USD 1.59-2.54)
- Car: Via La Calera from the Circunvalar, a steep switchback road with city viewpoints
- Bicycle: the Patios climb is the capital's most popular road cycling ascent
- Taxi or ride-hailing from Chapinero, COP 40,000-70,000 (about USD 12.70-22.22)
Location
Embalse San Rafael, Via La Calera Km 3, La Calera, Cundinamarca, Colombia
4.7211, -73.9689 View on map
Highlights
- Walking trails and birdwatching around the San Rafael reservoir
- The Patios viewpoint over the whole of Bogota
- Roadside arepa and hot-drink stalls on the climb
- Trout restaurants and country steakhouses in La Calera
Tips for visiting
- Swimming is banned at San Rafael because it supplies the city's drinking water - the reservoir is for walking and birdwatching
- The Via La Calera closes to cars during some Sunday cycling events
- Fog and rain roll over the ridge most afternoons, so morning visits give the better view
- Night-time driving on the switchbacks is best avoided