Top Hiking Tours In Colombia

From tropical rainforests to snow-capped mountains and ruins of ancient civilizations, Colombia’s varied landscapes make it a dream destination for hikers. There are over 50 national parks containing an array of hiking trails for all levels of fitness and experience. Here, we select the top hiking tours in Colombia.

Paradise Found: a Taste of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast

As part of Culture Trip’s specially curated eight-day adventure along Colombia’s Caribbean coast, from Cartagena to Palomino, you can enjoy a guided hike through Tayrona National Park. There aren’t many places where you can hike through tropical rainforest and along palm-fringed beaches against the backdrop of snowy mountains, but that’s exactly what you’ll find here. The park is teeming with biodiversity – look out for howler monkeys and iguanas in particular. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a jaguar.

Experience both rainforest and beach landscapes in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

From Bogotá to Medellín: Traverse the Colombian Andes

On Culture Trip’s exclusive small-group Colombian Andes tour, you’ll spend a couple of nights in the Zona Cafetera (coffee region) and embark on a hike through the Cocora Valley – renowned for its giant Quindío wax palms, which can grow up to 60m (197ft) in height. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a coffee plantation and try your hand at tejo. This traditional Colombian sport involves hurling steel discs at a loaded gunpowder target, and is typically played with a beer in hand.

Hike through the Cocora Valley on a trip to the Colombian Andes

1. Four-day hike from Santa Marta to the Lost City

Activities, Tours

Tourists hiking through Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) trek Sierra Nevada mountains Santa Marta Colombia. ENKMR2

Looking for a longer hiking adventure? This four-day trek departing from Santa Marta on Colombia’s Caribbean coast is an excellent option – particularly if you’re interested in ancient history. You’ll venture deep into the jungle-covered mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park with an experienced guide from the region, eventually arriving at Ciudad Perdida (the Lost City), which was founded by the Tayrona civilization around 800CE. Comfortable camping accommodation, three breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners are included.

2. Hike to La Chorrera and El Chiflon waterfalls from Bogotá

Activities, Tours

If you’re in Bogotá and want to experience a total contrast to the busy city streets, you can do so on this one-day tour to a nearby nature reserve in the East Hills, part of the Andes mountains. Hike through cloud forests to La Chorrera – the tallest waterfall in Colombia at 590m (1,935ft) – and another smaller waterfall, El Chiflón. You’ll also have the chance to cool off in the rock pools and tuck into a hearty Colombian meal at the end of your hike. Your guide will also provide snacks along the way.

3. Sumapaz Páramo Hiking Tour

Activities, Tours

view over paramoSumapaz National Park; Bogota; Colombia November

Escape the city and get a taste for Colombia’s rugged side on this day-long excursion to Sumapaz National Park, around two hours south of Bogotá. Here, you’ll hike through the páramo – a high, treeless plateau dotted with hundreds of freshwater lagoons, typical of South American uplands. Learn about the region’s biodiversity, which includes spectacled bears, white deer, pumas and tapirs, among many other species of flora and fauna. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch and visit a local market before returning to Bogotá.

4. Hiking High Andean Forests

Activities, Tours

Path used by the indigenous pre-Columbian Muisca to link the savannah of Bogota, chicaque natural park, siberia, colombia

Just half an hour’s drive outside of Bogotá, you’ll arrive at Chicaque Natural Park – a private cloud forest reserve at around 2,700m (8,858ft) above sea level, home to an abundance of species including sloths, oncillas, monkeys and agoutis. Start off at a viewing point with magnificent views overlooking the valley below, hiking 2km (1.2mi) downhill to a lodge where you’ll be able to catch your breath. Continue on to a waterfall before meandering your way through the forest back to the high point of the park. The maximum group size is four, and private transport is included.

5. Trek to Pico de Loro

Tours, Activities

To the west of Cali in southwestern Colombia lies Farallones de Cali National Park, characterized by lowland jungle, mountain cloud forest, páramo and over 30 rivers. It’s a great destination to go hiking, and this tour takes you from the Pance River up to Pico de Loro (Parrot’s Beak) at 2,860m (9,383ft) above sea level. It’s a fairly strenuous trek, but you’ll be rewarded with superb views across the national park at the top. Lunch is included, and you’ll also be able to take a dip in the river and nearby creeks at the end.