The Río Chicamocha reaches its narrowest point near Jordan. Vegetation and natural pools add to this distinctive landscape. There are also hiking trails through the Chicamocha Canyon and the Puente de Lengerke as a historical landmark. Jordan can therefore be understood through specific themes: the river’s location, natural features, different routes and a historic structure. When planning your trip, it helps not to treat the hikes as one continuous route; they differ in both their endpoints and the information about their length and trail conditions.

River Landscape and Hiking Trails

The Camino de Lengerke connects the town centers of Jordan and Los Santos. The six-kilometer hike runs through the Chicamocha Canyon. The Gobernación de Santander and the Alcaldía de Los Santos restored the trail between 2018 and 2020. This figure describes the length of the Camino, not that of a section on the other hike.

The historic route from Villanueva to Jordan covers 15.8 kilometers and descends through the ravines of the Chicamocha Canyon. The route is 15.8 kilometers long; there is little shade along a six-kilometer section. Some parts of the trail have been abandoned. The two six-kilometer figures therefore refer to different things: for the Camino, they indicate the length of the hike; for the historic route, they indicate the section with little shade. This makes the historic route longer overall than the Camino.

The routes also differ in their endpoints: the Camino connects Jordan and Los Santos, while the historic route runs from Villanueva to Jordan. Trail conditions can change. Check the condition of your chosen route before setting out; for the historic route, planning should also take the abandoned sections into account.

The Puente de Lengerke and History

The Puente de Lengerke adds a distinct historical dimension. It is one of Colombia’s earliest bridges and stood on a route that Simón Bolívar traveled. Its standing among Colombia’s early bridges relates to the structure itself; the reference to Bolívar, by contrast, concerns the route on which the bridge stood. If you are also choosing Jordan for its historical themes, this adds a different focus to questions of landscape and hiking routes.

Local Information

Jordan has a tourist information office that provides information about the town and the region. If you would like to look beyond the town for guidance, the regional perspective is also covered there. If you plan to visit, check the opening hours in advance. This will help you plan a visit for information and address questions about both Jordan and the region.

Discover more destinations: Cerrito, El Papayo, Guane, Curiti, Bucaramanga, Barichara, Piedecuesta, Charalá

For the broader travel overview: Santander.