Quebrada la vieja: Nature hike in the middle of Bogota

So I went on a walk this morning to a place friends had recommended that's not listed anywhere on the internet that I could find and not on google maps -- a tragedy! It's great! A nature-filled hike right in downtown Bogota.

Tucked in behind some apartment buildings to the east just off the circunvalar in Bogota (between 70 and 72) is this great walking trail.

Part of it follows a road up to an army storage cave, and the rest is a walking trail that criss-crosses a gushing stream, following what look like an indigenous path up a valley (anyone who's been to the lost city will be familiar with these!). Near the top the roosters crow from a small farm, where unfortunately, I had to turn back because the gates close. The best part, especially for Colombia, is that it's safe -- police were scattered all along the path, and it's only open from 7-10 from Monday to Saturday (not Sundays or Festivos), so there are other walkers on the route. No one's allowed to enter after 9, and while I walked out the gate at 10.15, and others were behind me, the police told me they always close before 10.30, but earlier most days.

The coolest gate for walkers I've seen -- no need to use the gate!