- The 10-million-ton El Peñon de Guatape rock in Colombia features a stone staircase embedded in a large crevice
- The steps are the only way to reach the top of the attraction but the panoramas are said to be well worth the effort
- The monolithic boulder was formed millions of years ago, and was originally worshipped by Tahamies Indians
It’s certainly not boulder dash.
There really is a staircase in the crack of a 650ft rock in Colombia – and the views from the top are incredible, if you’re fit enough to endure the 650 steps up there.
They have been wedged into a huge crevice in the 10-million-ton El Peñon de Guatape rock in Colombia, and mean the rock has become a bizarre look-out post across a mesmerising landscape.
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Boulder dash: The 10-million-ton El Peñon de Guatape in Colombia features stone steps embedded in a large crevice
Between a rock and a hard place: If you’re fit enough to endure the 650 steps, the views from the top are said to be well worth the effort
Reward: There are even a few religious relics and souvenirs at the top, along with a few food outlets and a three-storey lookout tower
El Peñon de Guatape includes an outdoor area at the top so guests can relax and fully appreciate the sights before they make their descent
The steps are the only way to reach the top of El Peñon de Guatape, which is also known as Piedra de Penol or La Piedra, but once tourists reach the top, the spectacular views are said to be worth the effort.
The experience has become a popular attraction in Guatape, with guests forking out a small fee to zig-zag to the top and look out over beautiful islands nestled in the surrounding lakes.
If this wasn't reward enough, there are religious relics and souvenirs at the top, along with a three-storey lookout tower and a few food outlets.
While the rocky Guatape attraction is safer than it looks, it had a precarious beginning.
In the 1950s a group of friends spent five days scaling the gigantic rock using just planks of wood strategically placed in the crack that stretches from its base to its tip.
Thankfully this was later replaced by the more sturdy masonry visible today which, from a distance, looks like a giant stitch holding the split stone together.
In the 1950s a group of friends spent five days scaling the gigantic rock using just planks of wood strategically placed in the crack that stretches from its base to its tip
Unique design: The 1950s wooden staircase was replaced by the more sturdy masonry visible today, which, from a distance, looks like a giant stitch holding the split stone together
Rock on: The incredible Colombian tourist attraction is located just a couple of hours' drive from the nearby city of Medellin
While it may look vertigo-inducing in photographs, the attraction has glowing reviews on TripAdvisor.
User Amanda P, who rated the experience as 'excellent', wrote: 'I was scared I would be too tired to climb up, but it was very doable - tiring, but manageable.
'The view is amazing, 360 degrees of pure beauty. And you can hang around up there for a while as they have restaurants and shops.'
Meanwhile Alex D from London said: 'Amazing, amazing view from the top... Just a bit of serious effort required to get up there.
'Beware the climb, even though it is walled in so you never feel right on the edge, it is not necessarily for those who don't feel comfortable with heights.'
The experience has become a popular attraction in Guatape, with guests forking out a small fee to zig-zag to the top and look out over beautiful islands nestled in the surrounding lakes
While it may look gravity-inducing in photographs, the attraction has glowing reviews on TripAdvisor, with the majority of guests rating it as 'excellent'
The monolithic rock is said to have been formed millions of years ago, and was originally worshipped by Tahamies Indians who used to live in the region.
Keen-eyed visitors will notice that on the northern face of the rock are two large painted white letters, G and a half-formed U.
According to Wikipedia there was a dispute about whether Guatapé or El Peñol owned the boulder.
Guatapé residents tried to stake their claim to the landmark and began to paint their name on it.
This was quickly spotted by El Peñol residents, who were said to have interrupted the act before it was completed.
The monolithic rock is said to have been formed millions of years ago, and was originally worshipped by Tahamies Indians, who used to live in the region
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