Murillo

Murillo sits at around 2,900 metres on the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera below the Nevado del Ruiz, and the altitude sets everything about it - it is cold, frequently in cloud, and the surrounding country is paramo and high pasture rather than the coffee slopes lower down. The road through crosses the high ground between Manizales and Libano and gives access to the Los Nevados park from the eastern side, which is less used than the Manizales approach. The Ruiz erupted in November 1985 and the lahar it generated destroyed the town of Armero on the plain below, killing over twenty thousand people; the volcano remains active and monitored, and evacuation planning is a live matter in these valleys.

What you actually see

• A village at around 2,900 metres - cold and frequently in cloud.
• Paramo and high pasture - rather than coffee country.
• Eastern access to Los Nevados - less used than the Manizales side.
• An active monitored volcano above - with evacuation planning in place.

When to go

December to March, the drier months. Half a day.

Honest expectations

It is genuinely cold and wet - bring proper clothing. Roads are rough and fog is frequent. Services are minimal. Volcanic activity has closed park access and roads at times; check current status.

Nearby

Los Nevados is west; Libano is east down the slope.