The sweetest and most magical river in Colombia, a jewel that surprises

With emerald waters and a pure jungle environment, it dazzles as one of the best emerging tourist destinations in Colombia.

News Colombia.

Located in the heart of Caldas, the La Miel River is one of the most captivating tributaries in the east of the department, a hidden treasure that today is open to ecological and adventure tourism.

Born in the heights of the La Picona mountain range, in the municipality of Marulanda, the La Miel River runs through an area of ​​abundant biodiversity and culture, until it flows into the Magdalena River, in a journey that covers several municipalities, including Norcasia, where the river reaches its greatest splendor.

This tributary, regulated by the Amaní reservoir of the Miel I hydroelectric plant, flows strongly and calmly at different times, creating an ideal environment for adventure sports such as rafting and kayaking, in addition to offering an experience of unique contact with nature. .

The Amaní reservoir, in addition to its energy function, is a point that enriches the tourist visit by allowing the river to maintain a controlled average flow, ideal for those seeking adventure experiences and wildlife observation.

La Miel has the confluence of several minor tributaries, with the Samaná Sur River being its main tributary. Upon joining with the Samaná, the river increases its flow, reaching an average of 215 m³/s upon entering Buenavista, a district of La Dorada.

This flow ensures a continuous and abundant flow of water, allowing the river to be preserved as a habitat rich in native flora and fauna, as well as a site of ecological value where species of birds, fish and mammals survive in harmony with the environment.

Norcasia and the tourist experience of the La Miel River

Access to the La Miel River in Norcasia begins at the Iron Bridge, a strategic point that connects the region with the rest of the country. This bridge is not only a road route but a viewpoint from where visitors can observe the serenity of the emerald waters and contemplate the environment that, for years, was hidden from tourism due to the armed conflict.

Today, however, Norcasia has been reborn as a destination of peace and nature, driven by young inhabitants who have chosen to develop local tourism and provide unique experiences on the river.

Throughout its course, the La Miel River passes through areas of lush vegetation, natural canyons and river beaches. One of the highlights of the tour is the La Miel Canyon, where large rock formations offer perfect settings for jumps from up to ten meters high.

This stretch of the river allows for recreational activities, such as swimming in the emerald waters or simply enjoying the view of howler monkeys, cormorants and kingfishers that populate the area.

The Amaní reservoir, since its creation, has made it possible to maintain control of the river’s flow, which not only benefits energy generation, but also the viability of tourist activities.

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The guides, trained at the SENA National Adventure School, master each section of the river and ensure that the experience is safe and pleasant, adapting to the natural conditions of the river and using techniques to transport rafts, even developing a pulley system to facilitate Access to the river from the Iron Bridge.

The Importance of Community Tourism and the Resilience of Norcasia

The arrival of tourism to the La Miel River not only represents a new economic alternative for the youth of Norcasia, but also an opportunity to emerge from the traces of violence. The tourist experience in Norcasia is a mix between community, natural heritage and adventure; a way for inhabitants and visitors to share a space that, although it was once banned due to the armed conflict, today symbolizes peace, nature and development.

For those who wish to visit this destination, it is advisable to take an additional tour of the Amaní viewpoint, from where you can contemplate the vastness of the river and the reservoir, and also enjoy boat rides that offer a different perspective of this tributary so representative of the department of Caldas.

The La Miel River in Norcasia is, without a doubt, a paradise hidden part of Colombia that captivates those seeking unique nature and adventure experiences, and is emerging as one of the emerging tourist destinations with the greatest potential in the country.

With information from El Tiempo.