El Peñol Steps: How Many Are There and How Hard Is the Climb?

How many El Peñol steps are there?

The number you will see most often is 740 steps. Press and travel sites, including a June 2025 article in El Espectador, give that figure for the staircase to the top of La Piedra del Peñol. A few sources, including the Spanish Wikipedia entry, give a lower number, 708. The difference may come from how the landings and the last stretch are counted, so treat 740 as the common figure and do not be surprised if a guide says something slightly different.

The staircase is fixed to the side of the rock and has a handrail, so you can hold on when it gets steep or crowded. Count them if you like, but most people stop counting around the halfway mark.

How long does it take to climb the steps?

Plan for about 30 minutes going up, according to El Espectador. A fit person who does not stop can do it faster, and a family with small children or a slower walker can take 45 minutes or more. Going down is quicker, but your legs may feel it.

• Allow one to two hours at the site in total, including the viewpoint, photos and a drink.
• On busy days the staircase has two-way traffic and you may queue, which adds time.
• Rain makes the steps wet. Go slowly and keep one hand on the rail.

Is the climb hard?

It is steady rather than technical. There is no scrambling and no rope work, but the steps are many and the air is thinner than at the coast: the rock stands at around 2,100 metres above sea level. Visitors who arrive from the city, which is at about 1,500 metres, usually feel the effort in the last third.

Who finds it easiest

Active adults and teenagers do fine. Children can manage if they are used to walking, as long as an adult stays with them. If you have knee problems, a heart condition or a fear of heights, think carefully and talk to your doctor if you are unsure.

Tips that make it easier

• Wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops.
• Carry water and keep your hands free: a small backpack is better than a bag.
• Start early, when it is cooler and the queue is shorter.
• Stop at the landings when you need a break. Step to the side so others can pass.

What is at the top of El Peñol?

From the top you see the Guatapé reservoir, a lake with many islands and green peninsulas. On a clear morning the view is wide and sharp. In the afternoon, clouds often move in, so the best light is usually earlier in the day.

The lake did not always exist. The reservoir was formed when the valley was flooded for a hydroelectric complex, and the old town of El Peñol went under water. That is why the islands you see are in fact old hilltops.

When to climb and what to bring

Arrive when the site opens, around 8:00, or as close to it as you can. The first hours are cooler, the stairs are less crowded and the view is usually clear. By late morning, tour groups and families arrive and the staircase slows down. Clouds and rain are common later in the day in the Andes.

Weekdays are calmer than weekends. Colombia has several long weekends during the year, and Guatapé is a favourite escape for people from Medellín, so a Monday holiday can feel as busy as a Saturday.

What to bring for the climb

• Water, at least half a litre per person, and a small snack.
• Sun cream and a hat. The sun is strong at this altitude even when it is cool.
• A light rain jacket, because the weather changes quickly.
• Cash for the entrance, and a small amount for drinks at the top.
• A phone with a charged battery, kept in a pocket with a zip. The views are worth the photos, but drop nothing on the stairs.

Entry fee, opening hours and how to pay

El Espectador reported in 2025 an entry fee of 30,000 COP per person and opening hours of 8:00 to 18:00, every day of the year. Older articles quote lower prices, and some travel sites mention that payment is accepted in cash only. Fees and hours change, so check before you go and bring cash.

• Buy your ticket at the entrance on the day. Do not pay anyone on the road who offers a shortcut.
• Weekends and public holidays are the busiest times.
• Parking and extra services such as food are separate from the ticket.

Why does the rock exist? A short geology note

La Piedra del Peñol is an inselberg, a solitary rock that stands above the land around it. It is made of granite from the Antioquia batholith. Geologists explain such domes as the result of buried crystalline rock expanding when erosion removes the material above it. The rock is also known as El Peñón de Guatapé and, before the Spanish arrived, was called Mojarrá in the Tahamí language.

There is a long-running local dispute over the name. The rock stands in the municipality of Guatapé, but it once belonged to El Peñol, which is why you will hear both names.

Can you visit without climbing?

Yes. Many people enjoy Guatapé without the climb. You can walk the town, look at the painted relief panels called zócalos, take a boat ride on the lake and eat lunch by the water. The base of the rock also has shops and viewpoints, so you still get a photo and a feel for the scale.

If someone in your group cannot climb, a private tour lets you split the time: some climb, others rest or explore the town, and the driver or guide keeps the plan moving.

Visiting El Peñol with PH Tours

Our private Guatapé tour from Medellín is built around the climb. Felipe (“Pipe”) and the team pick you up at your hotel, aim to reach the rock before the crowds, and set the pace for your group, including families with young children. We run the tour in English or Spanish, and guests often mention Felipe's patience and his photos. The tour can also include time in the town, and a wakeboard session on the lake can be added.

If you are planning how to get there, read our guide to getting from Medellín to Guatapé, then see the tour below.