“Lost? Are you lost?” a friendly voice called out from behind a thicket of trees. We were indeed lost. We had been searching for the Jorobas del Camello for an hour. The trail was unmarked. Locals didn’t seem to know the name. Only a helpful man offered a vague direction.
The Jorobas del Camello. The name itself conjures up images of a camel’s humps. And that’s what this trail resembles. Rolling hills curve up and down. They create a challenging but scenic hike outside of Cali.
Our little group started our journey near the Botanical Garden. We parked our cars in a makeshift parking lot. It was actually someone’s home. The Rio Santa Rita flowed nearby. It must be beautiful on weekends.
The beginning of the Jorobas del Camello trail was a narrow path. We had to walk single file. But the views were stunning. The landscape unfolded on either side of the trail. It truly resembled the humps of mountains. There were two moderately difficult ascents. Then flatter sections followed.
As we reached the end of the humps we came to a fork in the trail. One way led to a farm. The other to Ventiaderos. We chose Ventiaderos.
The trail transformed. More trees provided shade. The path was popular with mountain bikers. We saw ramps and structures built for the sport.
Ventiaderos was a welcome sight. A small shop offered refreshments. From there another choice. A road led to the Virgen de Yanaconas. Another led to the Rio Pichindé. We chose the river.
The road was unpaved. We walked for about two kilometers. A bridge crossed the river. Narrow stairs led to a swimming hole.
We rested and cooled off. Then we continued to climb. More places showed where people spent their weekends by the river. We reached another bridge over the Rio Pichindé. It was time to head back. Our journey to the Jorobas del Camello had been an adventure. We had discovered a hidden gem outside Cali. A place many might miss but those who find it will never forget.