Colombia Roads between San Augustin + Popayan
 

to those who know: Is there even a distant possibilty of Farc Activity or is this just crap of the past? Ergo: Safe to travel now?
Thanks, people full of knowledge:scooter:

Hey Afear. I passed along that road about a year ago, leaving Popayan on the way to San Agustin. Somewhere in the middle, as I was overtaking a pickup truck on the dirt road there were two guys jumping out of the ditch. I kept going past, they stopped the jeep. The elderly couple in the jeep caught up to me a couple of hours later when I was in some small town looking for fuel and said the guys were FARC, and that they had guns, and that they robbed them. Apparently they're only ever after cash though, and will not steal your bike (so I've been told....). I really think that this is not a serious problem though, and it wouldn't put me off taking that road again.... And it is a lovely road too... :thumbup1:

Thanks, Mr Irish
 

but that's not the story I like to hear. I probably do it but without much cash + luggage. Only take my swiss army knife to keep the bastards on distance.:oops2:

Where's San Augustin
 

When I search for San Augustin on google maps it pops up to the east of Bogoto. This is a long way from Popayan. Which route are you talking about? Thanks,

:scooter:

I didnt have any problems in the 2 months I spent in Colombia last year, FWIW.

However, when I wanted to take a secondary route I always asked the soldiers or the cops, usually at a nearby checkpoint, if the route was safe. Most of the time they said everything was safe, but sometimes recommended against a certain route because of robberies. So take that for what it is worth, which probably aint much.

I made some local friends in Bogota and they told me always to ask about the security before going on a particular route that was off the beaten path. Also, they warned me to stay away from areas around the Brazilian border, and on the Venezuela border they said I should stick to the main crossings and not wander around the border areas or I would find trouble for sure. I heeded the warnings about the border areas as it seemed to make sense to me.

Otherwise, have fun, enjoy Colombia!

thanks to all from bogota
 

I was indeed talking about San Augustin, Provinz of Huila about 511 km south of Bogota. Distance to Popayan is only a couple of hours. I think I play it safe
and drive to Popayan first- but the other road via Neiva seems more scenic.
+ I try not to go to often offroad because of the things called landmines.The:welcome:y make a terrible noise..

Just ask the cops or the soldiers at a checkpoint. These cats cn be very interesting to talk to as well. If indeed there were robberies on the road you want to take, they will know about it, and likely have solved the problem by now. FWIW.

My wife and I passed that way January 2010, from San Augustin to Popayan. It is about 100 km or so, mostly gravel. We did it in the poring rain. There was a fair bit of traffic on that road, mostly trucks, and several km of road works. We spent a lot of time on Colombia back roads with never a problem. Do stop and chat with the police and military at the checkpoints. We found them all extremely friendly and very glad to see tourists in their country.

+1 for chatting to the friendly army types:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...mybikerght.JPG

Popayan - San Augustin - Desierto de Tatacoa - Tierradentro - Popayan
 

Hi,
I also did this loop back in December 2010, under rain. The only trouble you will find are the landslides and muddy roads. A real workout.
To San Augustin via Coconuco, you will cross a bus/truck every 5 min and there are so many army/police checkpoints, even a helicopter hovering above.
BTW, do NOT take the central road that passes through the park to the valley.
From Tierradentro back to Popayan, it was more isolated and the road in much worse condition (deep mud), lots of landslides. It seems to be more "iffy" too.
And yep, I always stop to chat with the police and army: in Colombia they are great to talk too and share a few jokes. If you just ride by, give them a hello, they will always give you a thumbs up :)

If you want more info on my loop through there, distances, road, hotels,... check my blog: www.TheLamaShow.com

Sami

I crossed from Nieva to Popayan and the military told me that there was nothing to worry about... this was about 1 1/2 years ago though but just ask them, they won't lie to you.

I went through Popayan - San Augustin - Nieva a few weeks ago. Had no trouble at all. Great ride on the gravel. Rode with some Colombian motorcycle travellers from Popayan - San Augustine and they wern´t concerned they just warned us not to go off the road for a pee as there are land mines around still...

I do guided tours there all the time both using the direct route Popyan-San Agustin (5 hours very scenic dirt road, a little muddy when wet otherwise being prepared for tarmac) and I also go via La Plata /Tierradentro even more beautiful and there now tarmac half way from Popayan to tierradentro and road construction is in full work from La Plata to San Agustin. The road north from San Agustin is a perfect as the rest of the main roads in Colombia - beautiful tarmac and awesome scenery!

Hi Mike,
I hope you don't mind me picking your brains on here, or any one else for that matter :helpsmilie:
We are currently in Pasto, Col and have a vague idea for a route. Hopefully we will get a map tomorrow but I thought I'd put it out here first.
So here goes ... we are going to ride from Popayan to San Augustine, from there take the road towards Garzon, Gigante and the 45 to Nieva returning via the 43 to La Plata and then on to Cali via the 37.
Two up on a 1200GS and V.Heavy, to give you some idea of my capabilities .... struggled on the R40 in Patagonia between Tres Lagos and Los Antiguos.
Paso San Francisco, Copiapo into Argentina - struggled from Lago Verde in the loose stuff.
Did fine on the Careterra Austral (wet). Ruta del Che in Bolivia between Padilla and Valle Grande (mostly dry) and Duck river Canyon in Peru (dry) no problem.
How do you think we will get on, anything really tricky to look out for apart from what has been mentioned??
Like to hear your opinions.
Cheers
Kev & Lorraine

I'll be in Neiva this Thursday on my current guided tour and San Agustin on Friday. If you're around we can meet up. We'll be having a day of in San Agustin Saturday and do some site seeing and maybe horse back riding or river rafting.

You should be fine on the on the GS on the road you outlines unless it pours down. In this case several areas gets really muddy and the red clay is like ice. So I would not like to ride two up on that.

We had a lot of rain these last few days. The Popayan- San Agustin should be fine. Its a quite good gravel road. The La Plata to Inza can be quite muddy and also there might be long stretches of road construction where you need to wait. I do not believe heading north from La Plata on 37 is recommended at the moment. You'll need to turn out to Tierradentro by Inza and continue back to a little north of Popayan or possibly Silvia.

Drop my a line if you're in Neiva or San Agustin same time like us!