Plan on about 3 h 34 min of driving for the 93-mile (150 km) trip from Popayán to Pitalito, before any stops.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Colombia: Cauca (excluding Popayán).
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Colombia. Advisory issued: Colombia March 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Colombia: “Highways may not have lights or signs showing destinations.”
| Distance | 93 mi (150 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 3 h 34 min |
| Main roads, in order | 20HL03 → 45-04B |
| Departments on the route | Cauca, Huila |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 3.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
On the road from Popayán to Pitalito
20HL03 (5 mi) and 45-04B (5 mi) carry about 11% of the 93 miles. It runs through 2 departments: Cauca, Huila. Of the 3 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Popayán and Pitalito
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–69 | 69 | Cauca, Huila |
| connecting roads | 69–73 | 4 | Huila |
| 20HL03 | 73–78 | 5 | Huila |
| local roads | 78–85 | 7 | Huila |
| 45-04B | 85–90 | 5 | Huila |
| local roads | 90–93 | 3 | Huila |
- Mile 39 of this route: Cauca → Huila (department line)
What to see on the way from Popayán to Pitalito
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Salto de Bordones (mile 71)
- Nature and outdoors: Puracé National Natural Park (mile 27), San Agustín Archaeological Park (mile 64), Salto de Bordones (mile 71)
- Museums and history: San Agustín Archaeological Park (mile 64)
Puracé National Natural Park
Southeast of Popayán in the Cordillera Central, Puracé National Natural Park centers on Puracé, an active stratovolcano and one of Colombia's most active volcanoes.
San Agustín Archaeological Park
Near the town of San Agustín in Huila, San Agustín Archaeological Park is a large archaeological area with religious monuments and megalithic sculptures.
Salto de Bordones
Formed by the Bordones River inside Puracé National Natural Park in Huila, the Salto de Bordones drops about 400 meters where the municipalities of Isnos, Saladoblanco and Pitalito meet.
More drives to Pitalito
- Cali to Pitalito
- Armenia to Pitalito
- Pereira to Pitalito
- Tuluá to Pitalito
- Manizales to Pitalito
- Villavicencio to Pitalito
From Popayán to other places in Colombia
- Popayán to Tuluá
- Popayán to San Cipriano
- Popayán to Zipaquirá
- Popayán to Guatapé
- Popayán to Tunja
- Popayán to Sogamoso
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Popayán to Pitalito?
About 3 h 34 min of driving without stops, over 93 miles.
How far is Pitalito from Popayán by car?
About 93 miles (150 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Is it safe to drive from Popayán to Pitalito?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Colombia: Cauca (excluding Popayán)). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Popayán to Pitalito?
In order: 20HL03 and 45-04B. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Popayán and Pitalito?
Closest to the road: Puracé National Natural Park (national park, mile 27, 5 mi from the route); San Agustín Archaeological Park (archaeological site, mile 64, 9 mi from the route); Salto de Bordones (waterfall, mile 71, 0.8 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.