Cerro de Las Tres Cruces

Welcome, urban explorers and fitness enthusiasts, to the base of one of Cali's most iconic geological and cultural landmarks: the Cerro de Las Tres Cruces, or the Hill of the Three Crosses. Rising sharply against the western edge…

The journey up the Cerro de Las Tres Cruces begins not in the wilderness, but amidst the concrete and brick of Cali's hillside neighborhoods. We start our trek on paved streets that angle steeply upward, a physical reminder of…

As we pause to catch our breath on the stairway, it is essential to delve into the dark, fascinating folklore that gave this mountain its name and purpose. The history of the Three Crosses is intrinsically linked to the legend of…

Roughly halfway up the ascent, the grueling, relentless stairs finally level out, delivering us to a broad, welcoming plateau. This natural shelf on the mountainside serves as the primary resting point for hikers. …

Leaving the comfort of the plateau, we embark on the final, and perhaps most technically demanding, section of the hike. The neatly formed stairs disappear entirely, replaced by a raw, heavily eroded path. …

We have reached the summit. Standing atop the Cerro de Las Tres Cruces, the sense of accomplishment is immediate and profound. …

Perhaps the most surprising and uniquely Colombian aspect of reaching the summit of Tres Cruces is the discovery of a fully functional, open-air gymnasium adjacent to the monuments. This is not a polished, modern health club, but…

As the time comes to leave the summit and begin our descent, we are faced with a choice of routes. We can retrace our steps down the steep, rocky scramble, which demands careful attention to avoid slipping, or we can opt for an…