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Best unpaved roads of Colombia Best unpaved roads of Colombia
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Photo by Ulrike Hahnel, Rock Formations on the Lagune Route, Bolivia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



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  • 2 Post By jfman
  • 1 Post By jfman
  • 2 Post By jfman
  • 2 Post By Steve Travels
  • 2 Post By NicoGSX
  • 1 Post By jfman

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  #1  
Old 3 Feb 2017
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Best unpaved roads of Colombia
Yes folks! What are the best unpaved roads or routes of Colombia?

Any roads that are not to be missed?
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  #2  
Old 26 Oct 2017
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No one responded but Ill update with one entry now that I have driven thru southern Colombia.

"Trampolin de la muerte" is a nice dirt road switchback ~7000ft climb between Mocoa and San Francisco. Has a fe water crossing that are easy when not raining but can be dodgy in rainy season.
Last edited by jfman; 11 Jan 2019 at 20:13.
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  #3  
Old 21 Dec 2017
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Thanks for that one. Hope that I'll make it to columbia from mexico.
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  #4  
Old 5 Feb 2018
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best unpaved roads COLOMBIA
Depends on the bike and your skill there are 30000 km paved roads and probably 80000 unpaved if you have 20 years to explore you may find plenty
Make sure you have good mud tires the unpaved sucks during the rain
Last edited by tohellnback; 5 Feb 2018 at 23:54. Reason: mis info
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  #5  
Old 29 Aug 2018
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I am bringing this back up because I am going back to Colombia and would like some pointers.

Any suggestions?
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  #6  
Old 11 Jan 2019
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Ok guyz two more entries now that I discovered more areas in Colombia.

So far my favourite dirt road in Colombia:

The back road from Salento to Toche:

Easy dirt, great curves and great views. Salento is a very nice(touristy) place to get rest and eat good food.



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  #7  
Old 11 Jan 2019
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Another entry to great dirt in Colombia:

The remote poorly maintained road from Chinchina to Campo Alegre:

It starts in a coffee growing area and then it climbs high to potatoe fields. It's a back door into Parque Los Nevados. You can cross over to the park and then ride back down on an well maintained road thru Montenegro to Finally reach Manizales and complete your loop back to civilization.

Note: Unfortunately, the dead end roads to the Nevados are off limits to motorcycles as per Park rules. You must book a tour in a Landcruiser to go visit the nevados. By location this back road brings you into the park past the Park checkpoints.

On a big bike this one can be a workout but it is rewarding.







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  #8  
Old 12 Jan 2019
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That’s a great tip, JF.
Park ranger wouldn’t let me into park on moto, no matter how much I begged.
I’ll try your route soon!
Steve
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  #9  
Old 14 Jan 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Travels View Post
That’s a great tip, JF.
Park ranger wouldn’t let me into park on moto, no matter how much I begged.
I’ll try your route soon!
Steve
Ha ha!

Yeah well the track I used brings you into the park, past the checkpoint so you could sneak into the park using this road.

There are gates but no locks on them.

You did not hear this from me
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  #10  
Old 28 Jan 2019
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@jfman

Thanks for posting those trails.
I'm now in Salento and would like to make the trail to Toche. Looks lovely with the tall palm trees.
Can you detail a bit the itinerary? For example where the trail starts and a couple of points it's passing by?

Cheers,

Nick
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  #11  
Old 28 Jan 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NicoGSX View Post
@jfman

Thanks for posting those trails.
I'm now in Salento and would like to make the trail to Toche. Looks lovely with the tall palm trees.
Can you detail a bit the itinerary? For example where the trail starts and a couple of points it's passing by?

Cheers,

Nick
I just plugged Toche in Maps.me when I was in Salento and it gave me the correct track which is that back road.

If your GPS wants you to ride down to the paved 29 and then up the paved 40, that is not the correct track.
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Old 19 Feb 2019
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Thanks, did it and was nice!

Worth noting: the trail continues straight in Toche and ends in Cajamarca on road 40. Instead, you can also turn left in Toche and follow the trail to Ibague.
On the way there's the volcano El Machin and nice spots for camping... as well as a warm pool right beside the trail (nice after a cold camping night!).
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  #13  
Old 19 Feb 2019
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If I remember correctly, after Toche, I rode towards Ibague on a road made from abandonded railroad beds with tunnels.

It was less scenic than the section between Salento and Toche but noteworthy nonetheless.
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