Excited to hike Cocora Valley and don’t know where to begin? This travel guide will prepare you with the most recent information for hiking Quindio’s Valle de Cocora with ease.
When I backpacked through Colombia for 2 months, I knew the Cocora Valley hike was high on my list of things to do in the coffee region, but I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Thankfully, hiking Cocora Valley is an activity that is possible to do on your own without a tour group; in fact, going rogue may be the most popular option.
The wax palm trees on the Cocora Valley hike are so tall, they barely fit on the screen…
There are other ways to view the towering wax palms of the valley, such as biking and horseback riding, but trekking on foot will allow you to soak in the sights, take leisurely photos, and most importantly, have the most freedom on the trail.
I visited during Colombia’s rainy season, so if there are storms in your forecast, don’t worry. This hike is still plausible almost every day of the year, as long as you are prepared with the right gear and leave early enough.
This article is just one part of my complete guide to Colombia’s coffee region, which I recommend you check out to make sure you don’t miss any other wonderful spots while you’re backpacking down in the golden triangle.
Read on for more information about this unusual oasis, the best ways to hike the trail, and the unique gems along the way.
What’s Special About Salento’s Valle de Cocora
The Cocora Valley, or Valle de Cocora in Spanish, is part of the mystical Los Nevados National Park, home to many more natural wonders.
What’s special about these species of enormous Quindio wax palms is that they are only native to the Andean mountain ranges located in Colombia and northern Peru, where they can thrive in the humid climate.
These skyscraping trees normally grow up to 45 meters high (148 feet), but occasionally even as high as 60 meters (200 feet)! Their height appears even more staggering in contrast with their skinny trunks.
You can see how steep the trail gets in some areas of the Cocora Valley hike.
Besides these iconic valleys of trees, the Cocora Valley loop also features a hummingbird house, a finca (farm) on the hill, suspension bridges through the cloud forest, creeks, wild horses and cows, and epic views.
While many travelers passing through Salento (like yourself) usually make the trip to see Quindio’s flagship wax palm trees in this valley, just know that there are several other entrances from Manizales, Pereira, and Armenia to see more of the national park - including the active volcano Nevado del Ruiz, the bright green Lake Verde, icy glaciers, and droves of wildlife. Be sure to check out your options when visiting other parts of Colombia’s coffee triangle.
Thankfully, from Salento, it is only a 25-minute jeep ride to the Cocora Valley.
Difficulty of Cocora Valley Hike
Cocora Valley is a loop that some locals say takes 7 hours to complete, including breaks for the attractions and photos. However, for more active hikers, and depending on the weather, the duration can be closer to 5-6 hours.
The difficulty of the trails comes primarily from the weather conditions, as Salento often receives heavy rain in the afternoons. This causes the trail to become muddy and slippery, even with hiking shoes, and low visibility.
As you can tell from the photos, it was a cloudy day - and later, a very muddy one.
After my experience, I would say it is possible for anyone to complete the hike, including children, but it will take some stamina for the 6+ hour loop and steep parts.
How to Get to Cocora Valley from Salento
Riding the Willy Jeeps
From Salento’s main square, you will find “willy jeeps” waiting to take people to Cocora Valley beginning at 6 AM.
You don’t need to buy your ticket in advance. Just walk up to the booth in the main square that morning next to all the jeeps and you will pay 8,000 COP ($2 USD) per person which includes your return trip back, so make sure to save the ticket.
Then, they will pack you tightly in the first jeep available with other travelers.
The earlier you go, the less people are there waiting in line. We had no line at 7:30 AM, but saw a crowd of people waiting on other days later in the morning at 10 or 11 AM.
The jeep ride only takes about 25 minutes.
For the return trip, the last jeep will leave the valley around 4 or 5 PM (make sure to ask).
taking a private tour
If you don’t want to wait in line or navigate on your own, the other option is to take a private or group tour to Cocora Valley.
While this article gives you the opportunity to go alone, I understand sometimes you may prefer to take a tour for the easy transportation and additional knowledge of a local guide.
Me (left) and 3 other lovely backpacker friends from France. Fierce wolfettes!
Arriving at Cocora Valley
When you reach the park entrance, you will pay a fee of 4,000 COP to enter the park.
At the entrance you can purchase a cup of coffee and snacks. There are also cafes and restaurants, some of which may not be open in the morning but instead are more popular for lunch after the hike.
Caballeros (cowboys) are waiting at the entrance in case you want to tour the land on horseback.
After paying the entrance fee, you have to walk along the dirt road for 15 minutes until you reach the Cocora Valley sign. There, you will pay 6,000 COP to hike the trail itself. You will also receive a paper map and can ask the guard about the trail conditions that day, and the best way to hike the route.
Beautiful wild horses grazing along the meadows in Cocora Valley.
How to Hike Cocora Valley
There are three ways to hike Cocora Valley:
Clockwise loop
Counter clockwise loop
In and out (out and back the same way)
Unfortunately for me, when I arrived in the rainy season, part of the trail was closed due to the trail being too muddy, so doing the entire loop was not an option.
However, we were still able to visit all the main attractions of the trail by hiking out and returning back.
As recommended by the ticket office that day, we took the clockwise route.
Why Hiking Cocora Valley Clockwise is the Best Way:
You get to see the wax palms first thing on the trail (often less cloudy in the morning).
It’s arguably easier to hike this direction, because you reach the highest point of the park sooner and more gradually (at Finca La Montana) and then hike down the steep switchbacks and through the cloud forest afterwards.
Being welcomed by the sign, climbing the miradors, and viewing the main attraction all in the first hour or so was a pleasant greeting after the morning preparation and bumpy jeep ride.
The Valle de Cocora sign greeted us with a bright welcome first thing on our foggy hike.
What to See at Cocora Valley (Clockwise order)
Valle de cocora Sign
Alongside friendly cows and horses, you will get your first photo opportunity at the Valle de Cocora letters. There are also tractors and jeeps you can pose with, complete with the backdrop of Colombia’s lush hillsides. #farmlife
Wax Palm Trees: The Main Event
You may have seen photos of wax palm valleys surrounded by sunny blue skies, but during the rainier months in Colombia, we experienced Valle de Cocora on a foggy day.
However, upon reaching the Bosque de Palmas (Forest of Palms), the mist added an eerie and mystical touch, in my opinion. After all, it’s not called the cloud forest for nothing!
First view of the Bosque de Palmas
Even with the park being the main attraction of Salento, the valley is so large that you feel like you have the landscape all to yourself. If you’ve ever had dreams of hiking across open green meadows like I have, you’ll feel enveloped in the peaceful countryside among wild animals and plants.
Mirador 1 & 2
After looping around the Bosque de Palmas, you will start to make your trek uphill. As you walk higher, you will pass Mirador 1 and Mirador 2 (lookout points) that will reward you with sweeping views of the valleys below. We also had a chance to rest and meet other hikers from around the world, including new friends from Canada, different parts of Europe, and Colombia.
On the way up in the morning, the trail was somewhat steep but dry, making it an easy-intermediate climb. However, on the way back down in the afternoon, rain made the trail very muddy and slippery, so you will want to be prepared accordingly.
Epic viewpoint from the Finca La Montaña at the top of the valley
Finca La MontaÑa
The cute farm at the top of the hill marks the highest point in the park, about 1.5 hours from when we arrived at the park entrance on our clockwise route.
While the finca is not open for hikers to enter, it serves as the meetup point about halfway along the trail, with everyone stopping for a snack along the wooden fence and epic views of the park.
From here, clockwise hikers can choose to turn around for a shorter hike, having already seen the famous valley. This is where some of our group turned around, having enough of a workout. Otherwise, you will begin down the steep switchbacks to brave the narrow cloud forest.
The Hummingbird House
The Acaime Hummingbird house is a little off the main trail, but it provided a unique resting point to breathe, reflect, and admire the birds.
Flying friends making an appearance at the Hummingbird house.
From the Finca, reaching the hummingbird house took about 45 minutes to an hour. The signs kept saying “1 kilometer more”... only to reach another sign that said “1 kilometer more to entrance” or “just .5 km more”. It was a typical trend we noticed in Colombia, and quite hilarious if you have a good attitude about it and enjoy hiking.
While sometimes it was unclear if we were on the right path, we asked a couple of hikers along the way who confirmed the way. There were also several signs along the path, that talked about the health of the forest.
A sign on the trail that talks about all the different plant species.
Finally, we reached the “house”, which was an outdoor compound where many types of pretty hummingbirds visited and flew around. I’ll admit I assumed that the house would have a bird sanctuary or more information on the birds, like a mini museum, but it was more of a rest stop where the forest birds flew around and munched on bird seed.
The Acaime hummingbird house in the middle of the forest had bathrooms and an outdoor dining room to relax. In March 2022 the entrance fee cost 15,000 COP ($3.75 USD), which must have increased since the pandemic. However, this fee included a hot drink, such as coffee or the traditional agua panela.
Seven Suspension Bridges & The Trout Farm
As I mentioned, the rest of the trail was closed at the time due to muddy conditions, so we were forced to head back the way we came. However, if the last part of the loop is open during your visit, expect to cross several notoriously loose bridges to make your way through the forest and back to the entrance. There is also a small trout farm where you can buy a bag of food to feed the regional fish.
Tips for Hiking Cocora Valley
Make sure you have Travel Insurance!
Hiking trails in Colombia are often unpredictable and sometimes unmaintained.
Even the most experienced hikers will need travel insurance for peace of mind.
In all situations, anything can happen - especially if you want to enjoy other activities in Colombia, like biking, horseback riding, riding ATV’s, swimming in waterfalls, and more.
I use SafetyWing Travel Insurance because it is reliable and popular among most backpackers, and it is also very affordable and easy to sign up. Just type in your destination and how long you will be visiting and you will be ready for your trip in minutes.
Leave early in the morning. You will beat the crowds and be able to hop on the first jeep available in the morning. Not only is transportation easier, but getting there early is also a safety issue. On the last leg of our hike, the rain started to really come down, and we were baffled to see people attempting to start the hike on trails that had become tricky streams. It will take you a lot longer to hike in the afternoon rain and won’t be as enjoyable to constantly be trying not to slip.
Hike on your own. While there are several tour companies that visit the Cocora Valley, it is definitely an attraction that is easy to visit on your own if you follow this guide. If you’re solo, it would be a fun idea to meet other hikers on the jeeps, on the trail, or even just in Salento as practically everyone who backpacks through Salento is there to hike Cocora Valley.
Bring snacks and water. Whether you do the loop or not, the excursion will require nearly a full day from Salento. Make sure to bring food and water to fuel your endurance.
Download maps.me. I always use the free app maps.me to maps on hand when cell service is non existent. Make sure to download the “Colombia” map beforehand on wifi, and then you will have many trail maps of the entire coffee region ready to go in case you get lost.
You will need cash for most purchases in Salento. For all credit card purchases in Colombia, make sure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid surprise charges. (I linked the Chase card I use, they give me so many rewards that I am able to fly for free much of the time).
The suspension bridges on this hike are notoriously rickety, though plenty of people cross every day.
Visiting Cocora Valley: Other Options
As mentioned, there are various options for visiting the Cocora Valley, depending on what type of adventure you would like and how fast you would like to go.
While I know this article is a guide to hiking, you will do a lot of walking on your trip and may be interested in trying a different type of activity. Tours often include transportation from Salento, lunch, a guide, and photos.
Horseback riding
The advantages of visiting the wax palms on horseback include learning more with a local guide and being able to cover more ground faster than on foot. As the trails often become very muddy with rain, the horses provide a sturdier way to traverse the steep mountains.
Unless parts of the trails are closed, on horseback you will be able to visit all the viewpoints in Cocora Valley in the quickest amount of time. The horses also take a different route than hikers, meaning you will avoid the crowds.
Mountain Biking
Along with the horseback riding tours, I also spoke with tour guides about the mountain biking excursions. These bike tours often take a muddy ride, but provide a fast, extreme adventure through the mountains.
While you won’t be trekking through the cloud forest or crossing the wooden bridges on bikes, riding through more of the valley’s perimeter on wheels is another fun activity if you are in Salento for a few days and want to experience more with a group.
What to Pack for Cocora Valley
Besides travel insurance, here are some essential necessities for your Cocora Valley hike. You will want to keep your pack as light as possible, but make sure you have:
- Water bottle and snacks
- Poncho or Raincoat (lightweight)
- Layers of clothing (the Hummingbird House in the forest was very cold and I wore gloves, but other parts of the trail were hot going uphill)
- Hiking boots (waterproof is best)
- Waterproof backpack
- Cash for the entrance fees
- Hat and sunscreen
While these are the essentials, I have other recommendations in my Colombia Packing List that will make your trip to the coffee region super comfortable!
Pack for Colombia
What to Wear, Essential Gear, and More
What else to do in Salento, Quindio
While Cocora Valley may attract you to Salento, it’s the unique charm of the Colombian village that makes you stay.
You don’t want to miss anything while you’re here, as it requires an adventure of multiple bus rides to even reach the city of Salento.
Make sure to check out my article “12 Wonderful Things to do in Salento for the Spirit” for 11 more fantastic ways to spend your time in the region.
Conclusion: Travel for the Spirit in Cocora Valley
In all of my travels, I have never been to a place like Valle de Cocora. It remains a distinct forest with an appearance like no other, and gives off a magical energy that reminds me of the weird and wonderful landscapes of Dr. Seuss books.
I found the valley to be a spiritual place, where animals and plants live and grow freely, preserved and thriving in the national park. It’s a destination where you can enjoy the hum of the birds and the clouds passing by as the earth turns. At every point you’ll find the views changing with the sun, rain, and fog; it’s no wonder the charismatic trees attract visitors from around the globe.
For more magical spots in the zona cafetera, make sure to read my ultimate guide to Colombia’s coffee region. Happy hiking!
Hi wolfette, i’m molly
Travel is a spiritual experience for me, especially when adventuring solo.
After visiting 6 continents on my own, I’ve dedicated this project to assisting other Lone Wolfettes on their journeys.
I hope my travel guides help you find the same joy, connection, and empowerment that exploring our planet has given me.
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Salento is much more than the Cocora Valley - and this guide will prepare you for the most authentic experience in the backpacker’s haven.