Sotará

Sotará is a stratovolcano in Cauca Department that rises to 4,580 meters and is built from alternating layers of lava and volcanic ash. Its elongated cone shape reflects the typical structure of a volcano that grew through repeated eruptions over a long period.

The volcano took shape during the Holocene through several eruption cycles that formed the current landscape. The last recorded volcanic activity dates to 1885, and the mountain has remained quiet since then.

Local communities view this volcano as a sacred natural element woven into their spiritual practices and oral traditions. The mountain holds deep meaning in the daily lives and beliefs of the people who live in its shadow.

The approach to this volcano requires travel through rural roads starting from El Cajibío, and visitors should prepare for high altitude conditions. Proper gear and acclimatization are important for anyone planning to explore the mountain.

Hot springs on the mountain reach temperatures around 80 degrees Celsius, and fumaroles release gas mixtures from deep below the surface. These geothermal features reveal that volcanic processes remain active beneath the mountain.