Los Estoraques

The Area Natural Unica Los Estoraques covers only about six hundred and forty hectares - it is one of the smallest units in the Colombian park system, and it has its own category because the landform is unusual rather than because of the ecosystem. Water cutting soft sandstone and clay has left a badland of columns, pinnacles, walls and narrow ravines up to about twenty metres, in ochre, red and grey, and the process is continuing: shapes change, columns fall, and the paths are periodically rerouted. Names have been attached to some formations. It is walked on marked trails from Playa de Belen next door, in dry heat with almost no shade, and the light early and late is when the colour works.

What you actually see

• Eroded columns and ravines - up to about twenty metres.
• A landform still actively changing - columns fall and paths reroute.
• About 640 hectares - among the smallest units in the park system.
• Ochre, red and grey rock - best in early and late light.

When to go

December to March; early or late in the day for light and heat. Half a day.

Honest expectations

There is no shade and the heat is heavy. Paths change as the landform erodes. It is small - half a day covers it. The region is remote and reaching it takes time.

Nearby

Playa de Belen is adjacent; Ocana is north.