HIKING VALLE DEL COCORA IN COLOMBIA
As you may know or imagine, Colombia thrives in nature. You can find mountains, beaches, waterfalls, paramos, and more. However, one of the most unique things you’ll see in the Quindio department is wax palm trees decorating the lush green mountains in the valley. Imagine that, palm trees on mountains instead of on a beach. It’s an incredible sight to take in.
Valle de Cocora is considered one of Colombia’s best places to see and happens to be one of my favorite spots in the country as well.
You can find these famous wax palms only 30 minutes away from the lovely town of Salento, and it’s the perfect place to add to your Colombia itinerary. Hiking Valle de Cocora is something you should add to your list.
How to Get There
The best way to get to Valle de Cocora is to take the colorful jeeps known as Willys that leave from the main square in the lovely town of Salento. Depending on the season, the jeeps begin departing every half hour to hour, starting at 6 AM. Or, you can expect them to leave as soon as the jeep fills up. Then, they return from the same spot they drop you off at the entrance of Valle de Cocora.
The journey from Salento to Valle de Cocora is about 30 minutes and costs approximately 8,000 COP each way. If you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend going early in the morning and during the week instead of the weekend.
Hiking Valle del Cocora
Once you arrive at the entrance of Valle de Cocora, you will have many hiking options. There are a few hiking trails to choose from, and they vary in difficulty and time. Some are an hour short, and some take several hours. The trails do have a hiking fee that is charged at their entrance. The majority of them cost approximately 5,000 COP.
If you choose to hike one of the long trails, make sure to start early to get back to the entrance with enough time. No matter which trail you choose, you get incredible views of the surrounding nature and the wax palm trees.
The SHORT hike
The short hike at Valle de Cocora is a 2.5 km round trip. It will take approximately 1 hour and a half to complete. It’s an easy and short hike, so don’t worry if you’re fitness level isn’t the best.
You can opt for the short hike if you arrive towards noon, or you aren’t the biggest fan of hiking but still want to enjoy the trails without the difficulty.
When you arrive at Valle de Cocora, you will walk about 1km straight to the path. Do not turn at the blue gate; continue.
This hike is mainly through the forest, but it doesn’t take you to be amongst the hill with many wax palms. However, you still get to see the trees nearby on some parts of the hike.
The LONG hike
If you choose to take the longer hike, it will be approximately 15 km round trip. Therefore, make sure to arrive early and set aside 5-6 hours to complete the trail. This hike is mainly for those who enjoy hiking, and the difficulty level is a bit harder, given it has uphill parts. However, the hike itself is not considered difficult and will feel more moderate.
The iconic wax palm trees that this area is famous for, will surround you on this route. You’ll also be immersed in the forest as you walk the trail. The views are incredible and worth hiking.
For this hike, upon arrival from Salento, walk the path straight to the blue gates that say, “Los Nevados Parque Nacional.” After that, you keep going until you see the “Fundacion Herencia Vero” and pass some suspension bridges. Then, before arriving at a hummingbird sanctuary on the path (La Cas de Los Colibris), turn left and continue the trail.
For this route, when you exit the 4WD, take the path to the right (through the blue gates), with signs towards Los Nevados Parque Nacional and continue walking straight, heading downhill until you reach a sign saying ‘Fundacion Herencia Vero’ – stay to the right of it.
After about an hour of hiking from this point, you’ll pass Finca La Montaña, where you can stop to enjoy the views or continue the path for another one and a half hours to arrive at the incredible wax palm trees.
Horseback Riding
Throughout Colombia, horseback riding is offered in many parts of the region. My only advice is to be conscious of only horseback riding in places where horses are treated and fed well.
If Hiking Valle de Cocora is not something you want to do, you can choose the horseback riding option instead. The cost is approximately 25,000 COP, but you can negotiate with the people who offer horses.
Photo Spots
Valle de Cocora has become not only famous for hiking but also for its photo spots. Near the entrance, you have small fenced areas with decorative photo op spots that have the wax palms as a backdrop for photos. Each one charges nearly 5,000 COP to enter, and you can visit one or as many as you’d like.
Some of these places have snacks like the famous Colombian empanadas or the agua panela. You can also find delicious Colombian coffee or hot chocolate. One thing you can try is adding cheese to any of those three drinks I mentioned. As weird as it sounds, it’s a Colombian thing, but it surprisingly tastes good!
Tips for Hiking Valle de Cocora
If you’ll be doing the long hike, it’s best to set out early in the day. If you arrive late, it’s best to stick with the short hike. Arriving early is also best because when it rains, it tends to happen in the afternoon. On that note, the area of Salento seems to be one of the rainiest regions in Colombia. Don’t be surprised if it rains a lot during the dry season. Arriving early gives you a better probability of nicer blue skies if you arrive early.
Regular sneakers work fine for both trails, but hiking boots will be a better option if you take the long trail in case you encounter rain and mud.
I recommend also taking snacks, water and wearing layers in case it gets chilly.
If you are traveling solo and prefer hiking buddies, I recommend finding hiking buddies at a hostel or hiring a tour. You can download a hiking trail app beforehand too.
Best Time to Visit
Colombia has two seasons, wet and dry. However, the Salento seems to get a lot more rain than the rest of the country. Therefore, you can expect it to rain even during the dry season. The good news is that rain storms usually happen in the afternoons. Therefore, I recommend hiking Valle de Cocora early in the day.
The dry season is from December to February and July to September. It’s when you’ll encounter less rain.
During my visit to Valle de Cocora, I went hiking a little before noon, and I made it back to the jeeps just on time because a huge downpour happened as I rode the jeep back to Salento. During my three days there in February, it rained all day non-stop. I was lucky to get a dry hike that morning and a few sunny hours the next day.
Don’t let the rain keep you away from visiting. Just roll with the weather and enjoy how lush and green the mountains are. Plus, beautiful fog rolls into the mountains every morning and when the temperature drops. It is stunning to see!
Getting to Salento
Salento is a small town. Therefore you’ll need to arrive in the closest biggest city. There are two, Pereira and Armenia. If you are in Medellin or Bogota, I recommend you fly. You can fly or take a bus ride if you are in Cali. It won’t take too long. Here is how to get there:
From Pereira: 6 daily buses head out to Salento. The ride is a little over an hour.
From Armenia: Buses head out every 30 minutes, and the ride is about an hour long.
From Medellin: There are no direct buses. You will need to arrive in Pereira or Armenia and then get a bus to Salento. The ride from Medellin can take over 8 hours. The other option is to fly.
From Cali: There are no direct buses either. Your best bet is to arrive in Armenia and then catch the next bus from Armenia to Salento. The ride from Cali is about 4 hours long.
From Bogota: A bus ride to Armenia or Pereira will be very long and can be nearly 12 hours. You can opt for flying into Pereira or Armenia and then taking another bus to Salento.
What to Pack
- Never forget to stay hydrated. You can take a refillable water bottle.
- I always suggest traveling with a daypack to carry your camera, water, and all your things.
- The best photos and videos are from the air, that is why a drone will allow you to take the best photographic memories with you.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the hike.
- I suggest packing an umbrella, rain poncho, or rain jacket for the rain.
- Night temperatures drop, and a light sweater, cardigan, or fleece jacket is perfect for the evening.
Where to Stay
Salento has no shortage of places to stay. It is one of the few towns in Colombia where I saw many foreigners due to its popularity. Therefore, there are plenty of places to stay. I stayed at Viajero Hostel in a private room. I had the most incredible view of the mountains. Plus, the hostel is beautiful and has friendly staff.
If you prefer something nicer with lovely views, you can stay at Hotel El Mirador de Cocora.
Hiking Valle del Cocora
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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