Cascada Del Amor in Jardin: A Relaxing Waterfall Walk

Jardin has its fair share of long and difficult hikes. Many of these are to the multitude of waterfalls in this lush region. If you are exhausted from hikes in Jardin such as the 4 waterfall hikes of Cascada la Escalera, and Cueva del Esplendor, or just want an easy day then Cascada del Amor is perfect.

This is more of a walk than a hike. Great for getting the blood flowing for recovery or taking advantage of the short period of sunshine. Along this route, you will be able to see Cascada Escondida. This is also very close to the man-made bat caves called Cueva de Los Murcielago.

In this guide, I will go over how to get to Cascada del Amor from the center of Jardin as well as other useful information.

Where is Cascada del Amor Located in Jardin?

Cascada del Amor is conveniently located a short 15-20 minute walk from the center of Jardin. It is just off a road that is easily accessible by the public. Most of the walk is on a dirt road with minimal incline.

Below is a map showing exactly how close this waterfall is. Bring your love to the waterfall of love!

How to Get to Jardin, Colombia

In order to get to Cascada del Amor, you will first have to make your way to Jardin. We came from Salento but it is also common to come from Medellin.

Salento to Jardin

This is the route we took as we flew to Salento from Santa Marta. It is a very easy route to figure out but it is long. This is in large part due to the rocky roads and hills. In total (including time changing buses) we traveled for 9 hours. Below will be the instructions on how to do this trip.

• Salento to Riosucio: only one bus per day at 9:45 AM (cost is $38,000 COP)
• Riosucio to Jardin: This is where you’ll get off your bus and wait for a different one that goes to Jardin.
  • It was on a collective bus with row seating. The worst part was the roads and how bumpy of a ride it was. The cost was $20,000 COP.

Medellin to Jardin

This is a much easier route as far as the road conditions and is quicker.

• Make your way to the bus terminal del Sur
• The company is Rapido Ocacho. This is who we took back to Medellin and it was great. There is another company you can take as well.
• This cost will be between $25,000 and $34,000 COP. Expect a 3-hour journey
• A popular website to buy bus tickets from in Colombia is called redbus.

Places to Stay in Jardin, Colombia

• Sgt Pepper’s Hostel: This is the hostel that we stayed at during our time in Jardin. It was a great location and only $10. This included breakfast. I highly recommend staying here.
• Charco Corazon: A little further outside the city is a laidback hostel. This is an eco-friendly green hostel with chill vibes. It costs $9 to stay here and includes breakfast.
• La Tángara Hostal Rural: Located even further outside Jardin is a wonderful hostal. This is a little pricier at $16 but includes breakfast. If you want to stay closer to the mountains then I suggest that you stay here.

My Suggested Hiking Gear

Below is a list of some of my favorite hiking/travel gear I bring everywhere. Everything below is something I currently use and never leave my house without.

• KEEN Durand II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots: I finally upgraded my hiking boots in 2022 and these are fantastic. They have top-notch ankle support and are super durable.
• Petzl Tikka Headlamp: A headlamp for hiking is a must if you’re like me and love sunrise hikes. This is a great price for a quality headlamp and also has a good red light to not disturb others in the morning.
• Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks: I originally got these as a present but I had to buy more because these are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever tried on.
• Grayl GeoPress Water Filter Bottle: You will never have to rebuy plastic water bottles. This is the best water filtering device on the market. It is excellent for hikers and travelers alike.

Cascada del Amor Hike Details (Jardin)

If you want to do the loop that goes to other areas past Cascada del Amor and the cable car, then check out this wikiloc.

My Experience Hiking to Cascada Del Amor (Jardin)

I was tired from the 4 waterfall hike the day before. We decided to do something short to get ready for an even longer hike the next day. This is a perfect trail for that exact purpose.

The trail starts by veering off to the left from Jardin in the picture above. This road becomes a cobblestone road that isn’t the most pleasant to walk on. Shortly after this, you’ll reach a dirt road that you will follow for a mile until you reach the waterfall.

Cascada Escondida

Shortly after reaching Cascada del Amor, you will reach a bridge to your left. There will be a sign saying Cascada Escondida. When we went the gate was closed.

The reviews on google sound like you have to book a tour to see it but it isn’t worth it. If it is any more than a few dollars then I would totally agree.

Cueva de Los Murcielago

If you don’t cross the bridge and stay on this road, you will reach a big teal door. This is a door that leads to a manmade bat cave. In order to get inside, you’ll have to book a tour. When we were there it didn’t seem like there were many or if any were going on. Some of the reviews do seem to say it is pretty cool.

My final Thoughts on Cascada del Amor in Jardin

Hiking to Cascada del Amor was a nice change of pace, considering the other hikes in Jardin. It was great to get the legs moving without being tired when I got home. If you’re looking for something that is more of a challenge, then this isn’t for you. The waterfall is also pretty small compared to the others around Jardin. It is still worth a visit if you like to run or take a walk when you first visit a new town.

Thank you for reading my guide on Cascada del Amor in Jardin! I hope this has helped you out with some tips when visiting Jardin in Colombia.