Route
Cali ──── road via Yotoco / Darién, ~2 h 30 ──── Lake Calima (Darién)
(~1,000 m) (~1,400 m)
│
Lakeshore ─ viewpoints ─ wind-sports beaches
Lake Calima is a large reservoir in the mountains of the Valle del Cauca, set among hills about 400 m above Cali. The altitude takes the edge off the heat, and the lake itself is known across Colombia for steady afternoon winds that draw kitesurfers and windsurfers. For a marathon runner, it offers cooler air, wide views and a landscape that asks nothing of you.
Reach the town of Darién, on the lake shore, by bus from the Cali terminal, usually with a change, or by hired car or driver. The road climbs and winds, so take a seat in front if you are prone to travel sickness. Check the current timetable and road conditions before you set off, since landslides and roadworks can lengthen the journey in the wet months.
April at Lake Calima
The lake sits at about 1,400 m, so days are mild, 20 to 24 °C, with fresh nights. April brings showers and low cloud, though mornings are often clear. Bring a fleece and a waterproof, and sun protection for the water.
Night one: the lakeshore
The recovery walk is the road and path along the lakeshore at Darién, which is flat in places and gently rolling in others. Walk it slowly and take a seat at a lakeside café. The water is cool, the wind drops in the evening and the hills turn blue and then black at dusk.
Choose a hostel, cabin or small hotel on the lakeshore, with a ground-floor room if possible. Many places have terraces facing the water. Prices are modest, but weekends fill with visitors from Cali, so book ahead. Meals are simple: grilled fish, fried plantain and soup.
Day two: wind and water
Wind-sport schools along the shore rent equipment and offer lessons for beginners. Do not start a kitesurfing course the day after a marathon, but watching the afternoon sessions from the beach is a fine way to spend three hours. Boat trips on the lake can be booked from the shore, and local guides run short walks to viewpoints above the water. Keep the walks short and flat, and avoid steep trails while the legs are tired.
Night two and the way home
Spend a second quiet evening at the lake. The next morning, take a bus back towards Cali, allowing for traffic as you descend to the valley floor.
Getting home
Alfonso Bonilla Aragón airport (CLO) is on the far side of Cali from the lake road, so allow at least three hours from Darién to the terminal. Check bus connections and road conditions before you travel.