With landscapes that tumble from snow-dappled Andean peaks to paradisiacal white sand beaches, it ought to come as no shock that Colombia packs a complete raft of mountain climbing trails to discover.

Trekking could be a sizzling, humid affair within the lowlands and a lung-busting journey within the mountainous national parks, however there’s no higher option to discover this outstanding terrain than on a hike. 

Following a long time of battle concentrated in rural areas, the demobilization of some key armed teams has paved the best way for entry to trails in a few of Colombia’s as soon as inaccessible distant outposts. Whereas some trails are signposted, most will not be, so mountain climbing in Colombia safely typically requires the help of a neighborhood information, whose information of the delicate ecosystems and native customs are invaluable.

Getting out onto the paths is a method of seeing Colombia in a brand new gentle. This isn’t only a place of vivacious cities and infectious rhythms, but additionally a rustic dwelling to enchanting archaeological websites, uncommon endemic wildlife and dizzyingly high-altitude surroundings.

1. Ciudad Perdida Trek

Greatest jungle hike
40km (24.8 miles) spherical journey, 5 days, reasonable

Hikers of all stripes gravitate to the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) trek, Colombia’s most mystical path. This epic route is the nation’s reply to the Inca Path, however the place Peru’s legendary mountaintop fortress teems with vacationers, the misplaced metropolis hidden away in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain vary sees only a few guests.

It helps that the previous stronghold of the Tairona individuals can solely be reached by a five-day trek, discouraging fair-weather hikers. And customer numbers have but to totally get better from pre-pandemic ranges, making now a wonderful time to tackle the journey. It’s a steep, sweaty and typically grueling slog by way of seemingly impenetrable jungle, though crystalline swimming holes and hammocks slung with mosquito nets make for welcome stops en-route.

Early on day 4, a flight of 1200 stone steps delivers you to the silent grounds of this 32-hectare metropolis, the place tendrils of jungle nonetheless cling to the remarkably preserved stays of round stone terraces, plazas and storehouses as soon as utilized by a inhabitants of greater than 4000 individuals.

You’ll be able to solely attain the Ciudad Perdida as a part of an organized trek, so organize your tour in Santa Marta. All trekking firms and guides are native, making certain your cash flows straight again into the communities you move by way of alongside the best way.

2. Nevado del Tolima summit

Greatest high-altitude hike
58.5km (36.3 miles) spherical journey, 4 days, difficult

Snowy peaks is perhaps an surprising sight within the tropics, however that is what you may discover in Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados. A cluster of 5000m (16,400ft) volcanic peaks rising from the luxurious hillsides of Colombia’s essential espresso area, the park attracts trekkers and mountaineers from all over the world, eager to beat its difficult high-altitude terrain.

At 5200m (17,060ft), Nevado del Tolima is the second tallest volcano right here and the best peak that guests are permitted to climb. Following a collection of accidents, entry to the south face of the mountain is now restricted. The remaining strategy to the summit is a difficult and technical ascent, masking 58.3km (36.3 miles) and solely appropriate for these with earlier mountaineering expertise. Ropes, ice axes, harnesses and crampons could also be wanted for increased sections.

Beginning within the Valle Cocora, the hike climbs steeply by way of the park’s trademark panorama of Quindío wax palms earlier than the surroundings transitions into the uniquely Andean ecosystem often called paramo. This grassy shrubland is dotted with spiky, slow-growing frailejón vegetation, stated to resemble the silhouette of a hooded monk.

Greater nonetheless, glassy lakes, glaciers and views of the peerlessly conical crater of Tolima add to the sense of journey as you wrestle as much as the summit. Having conquered Tolima, admire the views in direction of the gently smoking tip of extremely energetic Volcán Ruiz, the park’s tallest peak, and absorb the majesty of the expertise.

For a gentler introduction to the park, contemplate the three-day trek as much as the snowline at round 4600m (15,091ft). You’ll miss the thrilling remaining ascent however might be spared the necessity to carry climbing ropes, ice axes and different technical gear. To keep away from the heaviest rainfall, hike in January or February, however notice that poor climate is a chance year-round – trekking poles are extremely beneficial.

3. Cueva del Esplendor

Greatest waterfall hike
23km (14 miles) spherical journey, 7 hours, reasonable

The city of Jardín close to Medellín attracts guests with its picture-perfect streets painted in a riot of vibrant shades, however there’s extra to do right here than sip espresso within the shady plaza. For a extra energetic day trip, you’ll wish to head out to the city’s hottest mountain climbing vacation spot – the cavern often called Cueva del Esplendor.

This lengthy day hike begins on the western fringe of Jardín and climbs into the patchwork of rolling hills and farmland that defines Colombia’s coffee-growing area within the Andean foothills. Muddy trails wind previous dashing streams and creep by way of dense forest, so you may want sturdy mountain climbing boots and a few regular footwork. Eagle-eyed hikers could spot uncommon chook species such because the orange-breasted tanager finch flitting within the cover above.

When you arrive on the cavern, it instantly turns into clear why this fissure within the rock is named the Cave of Splendor. As your eyes turn into accustomed to the darkness, you’ll be spellbound by the sight of a roaring blast of foaming water bursting from the roof right into a pool beneath. The cave sits on personal land, so that you’re required to pay an entry price, and a restricted variety of guests are allowed in every day.

4. Cocora Valley Hike

Greatest hike for whimsical landscapes 
15km (9 miles) spherical journey, 6 hours, reasonable

Parque Nacional Pure Los Nevados is perhaps dominated by its volcanic summits, however there’s loads of much less difficult terrain to interact hikers within the nature reserves simply outdoors the park boundaries.

Reached by the long-lasting Willy Jeeps that rumble between Valle Cocora and the city of Salento, the area’s most acclaimed day hike clambers up onto hillsides that supply picture-perfect views over the whimsical Quindío wax palms, the nationwide tree of Colombia, that line the valley ground.

Cease for a breather and a photograph alternative on the Reserva Pure Acaime La Casa de Los Colibríes (a hummingbird sanctuary), however avoid wasting area for pictures of the palms themselves, which develop as much as 60m (200ft) tall and finish with a sparse cluster of leaves at their tops, like timber in a Dr Seuss e book. Maintain your eyes on the skies, too – the valley is a vital habitat for the endangered yellow-eared parrot.

5. El Pulpito del Diablo Path

Greatest hike for dramatic views
22.3km (13.8 miles) spherical journey, 12 hours, reasonable

Packing in dozens of spectacular mountain peaks and a plethora of glassy, glacial lagoons, Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy is the misplaced nook of Colombia. Right here you’ll uncover the nation’s high-altitude landscapes at their most interesting – a outstanding distinction to the verdant rolling hills and tropical jungle that dominate a lot of the nationwide terrain.

Located within the far east of the nation close to the border with Venezuela, and greater than 10 hours by street from Bogotá, this beautiful nationwide park is actually distant. Regardless of this, issues over the environmental influence of tourism have led to the closure of lots of the mountain climbing trails. Fortunately, one of many most interesting treks – the out-and-back hike to El Pulpito del Diablo – stays open, although all guests should hike with a information.

Hitting highs of 4765m (15,633ft), this hike requires a couple of days of acclimatization to make sure your lungs are adjusted to the elevation. Beginning on the western facet of the nationwide park, the path will raise you as much as the sting of a gleaming glacier, with the dramatic El Pulpito del Diablo (Satan’s Pulpit) monolith rising above you as a fiercely vertical slab. Touching the glaciers within the park will not be permitted, however you’ll attain the snowline as a part of this trek, which affords wonderful views again throughout the park and its barren landscapes of alpine tundra and electrical blue moraine lakes.

6. El Camino Actual 

Greatest straightforward hike
9km (5.6 miles) a technique, 1 hour, straightforward

Lofty mountain adventures aren’t the one sort of mountain climbing in Colombia. Only a 30-minute drive from Colombia’s journey capital, San Gil, and tucked into the guts of Santander division, the beautiful city of Barichara is dwelling to a stone-paved path that descends by way of a scenic valley to the sleepy village of Guane.

Initially constructed by the indigenous individuals of this area, the Camino Actual is a historic mountain climbing route that has been traversed for hundreds of years, and each step grants ever broader views over this cactus-filled valley and the folds of the mountains past.

Earlier than you begin strolling, you’ll wish to spend a while testing the sturdy conventional whitewashed buildings of Barichara, lots of which had been constructed through the colonial interval from compressed sand and clay. The path begins on the outskirts of city and if you attain Guane, you may hop on a bus again to your place to begin or head onwards to San Gil.

7. La Chorrera Waterfall

Greatest day hike from Bogotá
6.4km (4 miles) spherical journey, 3 hours, straightforward

Among the best hikes inside placing distance of Bogotá, the path to La Chorrera Waterfall follows one other stretch of the Camino Actual, constructed through the interval of Spanish colonization to supply a direct route linking Bogotá and town of Villavicencio, some 100km (62 miles) south.

This ambling however straightforward to observe path is hemmed in by a dense sweep of cloud forest thick with bromeliads and the trills of birdsong. However the prize lies at its conclusion – at 590m (1935ft), La Chorrera is Colombia’s highest waterfall, with seven steps spilling furiously over a limestone escarpment veiled with moss and lichen, then crashing right into a glassy pool.

Whereas the trek is not significantly strenuous, you may have to spend a few days acclimatizing in Bogotá beforehand to organize your self for the altitude of over 2400m (7874ft). You also needs to pack a water-resistant coat and be mentally ready to get moist;  the waterfall is commonly shrouded by clouds that dump bursts of rain onto the damp vegetation beneath.

8. Cañaveral to El Cabo San Juan de Guía, Parque Nacional Pure Tayrona

Greatest beachside hike
8km (5 miles) a technique, 2 hours, straightforward

The setting for a few of Colombia’s most stunning seashores, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona is awash with unblemished white sands fringed by lush jungle and azure waters. Whereas there are a handful of inland hikes throughout the park, the most effective mountain climbing route right here is the journey from Cañaveral (accessible by minivan from the park’s jap entrance at El Zaíno) alongside the coast.

This path passes a string of picturesque tropical coves, following a mixture of muddy and sandy trails and picket boardwalks, to succeed in El Cabo San Juan de Guía, the place two idyllic seashores with hammocks slung between palm timber give you a spot to relaxation in a single day if you wish to unfold the hike over two days.

As you wander alongside the coast, maintain your eyes peeled for chattering cotton-top tamarin monkeys – an launched species that has thrived in these excellent circumstances – in addition to basilisk lizards that may sprint throughout the floor of the water.

Due to extremely robust rip currents, it’s not doable to swim at many of the seashores you move on this hike, however you may take a refreshing dip within the sea if you arrive at your remaining vacation spot.

9. Tierradentro Mountain Circuit

Greatest archaeological hike
12km (7.5 miles) ,8 hours, reasonable

Discover underground tombs and fierce-looking stone statues on this difficult hike by way of the fantastic inexperienced mountains of the Parque Arqueológico Tierradentro within the southern division of Cauca, which might be finished with no information at your individual tempo.

Earlier than you start, pop into the museum on the park entrance to get some background on the mysterious civilization that after inhabited these lands and left behind these intriguing glimpses of their tradition.

The hike then climbs as much as crucial ruins at Alto de Segovia, the place you may descend spiral staircases into among the tombs to take a look at the mesmerizing geometric wall work. Persevering with on up into the mountains, the loop follows filth paths and traffic-free nation roads, calling at three extra teams of tombs in addition to a statuary on a plateau earlier than winding its method again all the way down to the park entrance as soon as extra. 

Carry a flashlight as among the extra distant tombs don’t have any lighting.