First Person, Nick Perkins

Alto de Santa Elena

This 1,000 meter, 16km climb has often been used as a stage-finisher during Colombian cycling tours, and it’s an ever-popular weekend route for Medellín’s cyclists as well. Climbing out of Medellín up to the lovely weekend-getaway town of Santa Elena in the cooler climate of the adjacent Andes, Alto de Santa Elena is the perfect route to enjoy the scenic countryside of the Eternal Spring region.

Santa Elena, Eternal Spring Western Colombian Andes Bandeja Paisa

The iconic regional dish of Antioquia is this mountainous plate piled high with a calorific combination of beans, beef, chorizo, rice, plantain, pork rind, and avocado. A full Bandeja Paisa isn’t for the faint of stomach and is definitely not to be ordered before a long ride, but as a culinary, cultural experience, this gastro-bomb is not to be missed.

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Cerro Gualí, Coffee Country Western Colombian Andes

Cerro Gualí, Coffee Country Western Colombian Andes