How to Perform the Cocora Valley Hike in Salento
Cocora Valley hike can be done in many ways as it is with many tourist destinations. Which one is the correct way for you to perform? That depends on your goal for the trip in the Cocora valley. When it comes to perform the Cocora Valley hike you have two options; that can either be done by walking or horseback riding. There is the short option, and then there is the extended hiking version.
The Cocora Valley is home to the wax palms which are the tallest palm trees in the world.
7 Great things to do in Salento – The Town of the Cocora Valley Hike
The article is a Guide on how to perform the Cocora Valley hike in the way you like! Not how the person at the hostel told you to do it or the crowd in the Jeeps on the way to Cocora Valley.
We are all different, and we like different things. Because of this, you should go for the hike that serves your interest, and that is why you should read this article that will help you determine how you want to perform the Cocora Valley Hike. Making sure that you are doing it your way!
The Cocora valley is fantastic site and seeing 60-meter tall wax palms – the national symbol of Colombia surrounded in the mist is a rare and unique experience that brought my soul into euphoria. One of my highlights in Colombia.
Option A – Head Straight for the Wax Palms: The World’s Tallest Palms
Capture the postcard photo you bring home for family & friends
To be honest, I did not do my research very well on the subject on how to perform the Cocora Valley hike. I did not know about this option A. This was the option that I would have done if I had done my homework. That is the short hike and the accessible version, also the prettiest and the highlight of the Cocora Valley with all the Palm Trees! (I ended up in hike B-the long one).
How to perform the Cocora Valley Hike: When you get off the Jeep, walk along the dirt track. Do not by any chance go right (That is option B – the long hike). Follow the marked path for around 1 km, and you will start entering the Cocora Valley of palms.
Option A is perfect if you want an easy hike that can be completed around 60 min – 90 min depends on how long you want to hang around in the Cocora Valley and enjoying the world highest palm trees. I do recommend to walk 30-40 min up, so you get a panorama view of the Valley. If lucky! The weather is consistently changing, and there will be the misty fog, and sometimes you will not see the palms. Try to be patient and stick around for some more time and the weather will most likely change for the better.
When happy with the sites of the palms return the same way as you entered and go back on a Jeep to Salento. If you want you can perform Option A with a horse. I would not do that. It is better to walk around and take all the famous pictures in peace. Do hug the palms; it is a great feeling!
Option B – Long Hike in the Forest & Hummingbird
After 4 hours of hiking, you will be rewarded with the world tallest Palm Trees
Option B is for the sporty outdoors, that love a good hike and want a small challenge. This option B takes around 5-6 hours. It will bring you through the forest with wooden bridges and give more adventures hiking tracks. I highly recommend good hiking shoes to perform this hike! After 1,5-2 hours you will reach the hummingbird place that cost 5 000 COP for entrance and includes a glass of free soda. Beautiful experience, that even for not being a bird person can be appreciated (should be done early in the morning, then maybe you will have the place for yourself). I was there around 09: oo in the morning and alone.
Returning from the Hummingbird place, and crossing bridge number. 6 and making right where the sign of 2 650 meter sign is. Do not start walking for the 4,5 km sign – Wrong way and no palms.
Entering the 2 650 meters sign: Then hike 30 min straight up and enjoy a great view of the mountain. Continue walking for around 60 min downhill and enter the top of Cocora Valley. After about 4 hours hiking you will finally be rewarded with seeing the world tallest Palms Trees.
Option B-1 with Horseback Riding up the Forest Hill
If you for some reason are lacking your complete energy level for performing the hike. Option B can be done with a horse. That takes around one hour and will leave you with the entrance of the hummingbird (then 15 min hike to the hummingbird place). Horseback riding is an excellent option if you want to see the forest but can not perform the walk by yourself and if you do not have hiking boots as well. I was a bit sick, and I choose this option, which was great since I also was lacking hiking shoes. I still got to see it all. Personally, I would have just appreciated option A. That is what happens when you forget to do homework about things you’re doing and how many options there are.
HOW TO GET THERE: From Salento at Main Plaza to the Cocora Valley
Catch a shared Jeep from the town place. It will cost you around 3.800 COP per person – One way. It will take around 30 min to get there. Have your jacket on! In the morning it is cold with the wind coming in from every corner.
WHEN TO GET THERE: Be a morning bird this one day!
The morning view is the best and clearest. Go early! A quieter hike with fewer tourists. The earlier, the better. I went alone for most of the hike, which personally was great. I appreciated to be in one with nature and not surrounded by ten other tourists. The sounds where only from the Forest and the river. Of course, if you are not so safe on where you are walking maybe it’s better to be in a group. Bring a map; it will be fine. If not just wait for some fellow hikers.
Bring sunscreen & water! Hiking boots. Sunglasses. Rain jacket and your camera. Enjoy your day at the Cocora Valley and worlds tallest Palms trees.
How to Perform the Cocora Valley Hike
Option A – Head Straight for the Wax Palms: The World’s Tallest Palms
- Time: 1,5-3 hours depending on when you are satisfied
- Short hike or Horseback riding in between the palms
- Straight to the Wax Palms – The Instagram Worthy pictures
- Hiking for Free
- Jeep Transport – Salento/Cocora Valley 7 600 COP
Option B – Long Hike in the Forest & Hummingbird
- Time 6-8 hours depending on your speed and needs
- Long hike in the Forest
- Include the Hummingbird (5 000 COP + Free Soda)
- In the last part of the hike you are rewarded with The World’s Tallest Wax Palms
- Hiking for Free
- Jeep Transport – Salento/Cocora Valley 7 600 COP
6 Comments
Hi, Option A cover all the famous wax palm tree. I would recommend you to walk a bit above them so you get the panorama view. Correctly with Option B you get the forest scenery as an addition. Hope this helped! Happy Hiking 🙂
Hi,
Does Option A cover all the famous Wax palm tree viewpoints etc like Option B?
So with Option B the additional is sceneries are the forest ones?
Helt utrolig!! Ble selv litt overrasket over hvor fasinert jeg ble av dem! Og stedet har en mystisk energi. Balsam for sjelen!
Wow, for noen palmer! Sååå høye og tynne, skulle nesten tro de knakk som fyrstikker i vind. Spennende sted, får sette det på lista mi når jeg eventuelt drar til Colombia. 🙂
De var superhøye også!!:) Det har vert på ønskelisten min også, men nå er det gjort 😀
Det stedet står på ønskelista mi, palmene ser virkelig superhøye ut!