Colombia is a paradise for hikers, offering a diverse range of landscapes that span from the high-altitude Andean peaks and glacial lakes to the lush, humid jungles of the Amazon and the Caribbean coast. Whether you are seeking a challenging multi-day expedition to ancient archaeological sites or a scenic, accessible walk through colonial history, the country provides unparalleled opportunities for adventure.
In this guide, we explore some of the best trekking routes in Colombia, including the iconic Lost City, the towering palms of the Cocora Valley, and the breathtaking waterfalls of the Putumayo region. Prepare to lace up your boots and discover the natural and cultural wonders hidden within Colombia's most majestic mountain ranges and verdant valleys.
The Cocora Valley
The Cocora Valley hike is probably the most popular hiking experience for travelers in Colombia. The walk begins in the quaint little coffee town of Salento to embark on a long trek through farmland, cloud forest and evergreen woodland, arriving at the eerie Cocora Valley. The Cocora valley is home to hundreds of the tallest palm trees in the world, some of which reach 60m (200ft) high. It’s not an expert-level trail, but you’ll need to be moderately fit and bring plenty of water. On our incredible tour, you can enjoy a spectacular hike through the Cocora Valley on our incredible tour; find out more here.
The Lost City Trek
The most well-known and ultimate Colombian trekking experience. The Lost City, or Ciudad Perdida, the trek is the Colombian version of Peru’s Inca Trail yet attracts far fewer tourists than Machu Picchu. This four- or five-day hike over 47km (29mi) passes through the coastal jungles of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, including some exciting river crossings. In the end, however, you get to explore one of Colombia's most significant archaeological treasures Colombia and all of South America.
Puracé National Park
Puracé is a beautiful, high-altitude national park in southern Colombia, just a couple of hours from the lovely city of Popayán. It is possible to climb the Puracé volcano, but this can be tricky without professional equipment, a local guide and the right weather conditions. Luckily, there is a beautiful trail through the lower sections of the park that’s around 20km (12mi) long and passes by natural hot springs, waterfalls and Andean lakes. It’s also one of the best places in the country to see Andean condors in Colombia.
Fin del Mundo Trek
A beautiful waterfall hike in the jungles of the Putumayo department, the Fin del Mundo or “End of the world” hike is another little-known gem. It’s not a long walk, but the intense jungle heat makes it more challenging than you would expect, and you should pay attention to the weather as flash flooding is a hi possibility. The reward of crystal-clear pools and thunderous waterfalls surrounded by rainforests, birds and colorful butterflies should be more than enough compensation. The hike culminates in the 80m (262ft) high Fin del Mundo waterfall.
Tayrona Park
Hiking around Tayrona Park is always enjoyable: if you wake up early, you can trek the forest and beach trails in solitude, with nothing but monkeys and birds for company. But if you are feeling more energetic, you can’t beat the hike that enters the park from Calabazo. This hike passes the indigenous village of Pueblito (although you can’t enter) before descending, across giant boulders, to the picture-perfect beach of Cabo San Juan. It can take at least four hours, but it’s a more exciting way to enter the park than the main gate. You can visit the Tyrona National Park with us on our Colombian adventure, which includes a guided hike through the Tayrona National Park.
El Cocuy National Park
El Cocuy is one of the most beautiful off-the-beaten-track Andean destinations in Colombia. This vast park is home to glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks and rocky valleys. The park was closed for several years but is now partially open, with almost 50km (31mi) of hiking on three separate trails. Reaching the snow line is no longer permitted, but hiking in El Cocuy is still a mind-blowing experience.
Nevado del Tolima summit
Summiting the 5,276m (17,310ft) tall Nevado del Tolima requires a high level of fitness and a solid dash of determination and is the most challenging trek on this list. This is no walk in the park! It’s a three-day trek at high altitude, culminating in a hike across a glacier with crampons and ice axes. It’s not for the faint-hearted but is amazingly rewarding for anyone with an ambition to climb a volcano and expert trekkers.
Barichara to Guane
This is probably the shortest hike, with only around two hours of walking, but it’s undeniably scenic. The old Camino Real (Royal Road) passes through the Suárez Canyon from the lovely colonial village of Barichara to the smaller but no less pretty town of Guane. It can be devilishly hot in the middle of the day, so try to start this hike nice and early, and don’t forget that water bottle.
La Chorrera Waterfall
La Chorrera is the highest multi-drop waterfall in Colombia, at 590m (1,936ft), and is reached via a lovely 6km (4mi) hike through farmland and cloud forest. It’s less than two hours from Bogotà, so you can enjoy a good countryside hike before returning to a comfy hostel bed in the capital on the same day.
The Colombian Massif
The Colombian Massif is a territory of 4.8 million hectares, which occupies 4.3 percent of the continental area of Colombia. The Massif consists of large extensions of natural ecosystems such as the sub-Andean, Andean, high Andean Forest, paramo and perpetual snow. The Colombian Massif is a mysterious region of majestic mountains, verdant valleys and volcanoes where enigmatic lost cultures have left behind messages to the modern world amongst the headlands of the country’s most majestic rivers. This incredible trek is up there with The Lost City and definitely for those looking to get in touch with their inner Indiana Jones!
