The Ultimate Valle de Cocora Hike
- Trevor Lawrence
- Jan 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 12
Our Favorite Way to Experience the
Valle de Cocora
The biggest attraction near Salento, Valle de Cocora is located a scenic 30-minute drive from the village. If you want to know how to get yourself to the beautiful Zona Cafetera in the first place, check out our itinerary!
The Valle is the home of the epically tall and skinny wax palms – and served as the inspiration for the magical valley in Disney’s Encanto. (Until recently, T had never seen the movie so we watched it there; yes, we had the soundtrack stuck in their heads for the rest of the trip – and no, we don’t talk about Bruno).
Whether you opt for a shorter “mirador” hike or tackle the full loop, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Keep in mind that this region sits at very high altitude—between 8,500 to 9,300 feet (2,600–2,800 m)—so pace yourself if you’re not used to hiking in thinner air.
You have two main options to make this the ultimate Cocora hike : the shorter mirador hike or the full loop. See below for the details on both options.
The Shorter “Mirador” (Lookout) Hike
Starting Point: Restaurante Juan B Jaramillo (paid parking available, plus a post-hike trout meal).
Route Details:
After parking, walk up the road and stay left as the path leads you over a small river.
You’ll enter the Bosque de Palmas and begin a steady ascent to Mirador 1 and Mirador 2.
Enjoy viewing platforms, wax palm photo ops, and even a drink stop along the way.
You can choose to do this section as a loop or an out-and-back – both are beautiful options.
Distance & Elevation:
Approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) round-trip, with 940 ft (286 m) of elevation gain.
Optional Activity:
Horse rentals are available at the base if you prefer to ride up to the Bosque.
Ultimate Cocora Hike Experience: Do The Full Valle Loop
For the more adventurous (and those with enough time), you can complete the entire valley loop in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Read on for all the details on our counterclockwise experience.
Don't forget to bring cash for the entrance fees! Deets below.
WS&T Travel Tip: This long hike is not for the faint of heart – the distance, elevation, one-person-at-a-time cable bridges, muddy spots, and altitude are demanding.
Our Experience
We chose to hike counterclockwise and found it both stunning and challenging.
It ended up being one of the most beautiful hikes we’ve ever done – even though we had a 15-pound baby in tow, and one of us was recovering from a stomach bug!
Our AllTrails recording showed 8.5 miles (13.7 km) with about 2,500 ft (762 m) of elevation gain, at an average elevation of 9,000 ft (2,743 m).
Total time: About 5.5 hours, including the Acaime detour (hummingbird sanctuary with life-affirming chocolate y queso -- yup, hot chocolate and cheese!).
ALL THE NITTY GRITTY DETAILS ON THE VALLE DE COCORA HIKE
1. Gear & Footwear
Check Conditions: If it’s rainy, the trail can be quite muddy.
Footwear: Hiking boots are best, but if you only have sneakers, make sure they have good traction. (You can rent mud boots at the trailhead for a small fee, but they may be uncomfortable for the full loop.)
Clothing: Wear long pants and carry a rain jacket if the forecast calls for wet weather. We went during the rainy season, but no rain. Go figure.
2. Water & Snacks
Bring plenty of water (and snacks if you’re doing the full loop). More altitude, more water.
3. Entrance Fees & Cash
The trail crosses private property, so you’ll need to pay several entrance fees in cash:
Bosque de Palmas: 20,000 COP/person
Acaime (Hummingbird sanctuary): 20,000 COP/person (optional detour)
Finca El Portón: 6,000 COP/person (Babies are free!)
Clockwise vs. Counterclockwise
You can tackle the full loop clockwise or counterclockwise. Here’s why it matters:
Clockwise
Pros:
You’ll enjoy the Bosque de Palmas early on; if you decide it’s too tough, you can easily turn back.
You avoid the steep climb from the Acaime hummingbird sanctuary to Finca La Montaña.
Cons:
You’ll face a longer, steeper descent toward the end, which can be tough on the knees.
Tip: If you choose clockwise, just continue from Mirador #2 rather than retracing your steps.
Counterclockwise (Our Experience)
We decided to do the full loop counterclockwise – and it was absolutely stunning, possibly the most beautiful hike we’ve ever done. It was also quite challenging:
Carrying Baby AJ: E carried our 15-pound baby the entire way.
Post-Bug Fatigue: T was recovering from a nasty vomiting bug (but refused to miss the hike).
Result: Slightly insane? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely!
Why We Loved Counterclockwise
Gradual Overall Gradient: Although there is a steep climb in the middle, the rest of the hike feels more manageable.
Safer (with a Baby): We felt more comfortable dealing with a challenging uphill mid-hike rather than a steep downhill, especially with a baby in tow.
Big Finish: We ended at the iconic Bosque de Palmas. Despite the crowds (some people dressed as if heading to a country club in espadrilles!), we had the satisfaction of having completed the entire epic loop.
We couldn’t help feeling a little smug—hauling a baby and pushing through altitude while onlookers snapped photos in their weekend best.
Key Takeaways for Each Route
Clockwise: See the best views early; risk a steep descent.
Counterclockwise: Save the big palm forest for last; face a tough uphill section in the middle.
Either Way: Bring plenty of water and cash for entrance fees, and prepare for muddy conditions.
Our Counterclockwise Route
Start: After parking, walk up the road and stay right, passing through a blue entrance gate.
Park Info Booth: You’ll encounter a park employee who may advise you on the difficulty of the trail (especially if you’re carrying a baby!). We smiled politely in the face of his skepticism.
Trout Hatchery (Las Truchas): Option to pay 5,000 COP to feed the trout.
Suspension Bridges: Cross a potentially muddy or rocky area, then take each single-file bouncing suspension bridge slowly.
Finca El Portón: Pay your first entrance fee, then continue gently uphill through scenic fields dotted with cows.
Forest Section: The trail becomes steeper here, with more suspension bridges and an optional detour to a small waterfall.
Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary (Optional Detour):
Turn right at the sign for Acaime (La Casa de Colibris).
Expect a 90–120 minute round-trip detour with a steep ascent.
At Acaime, enjoy watching hummingbirds at feeders and sip hot chocolate with fresh cheese (unusual but delicious).
Afterward, retrace your steps to the main trail.
All work in the sanctuary halted as the mess kitchen ladies, busy with their steaming chocolate pots, took turns holding AJ and snapping pictures.
Finca La Montaña: Continue up a steep section of switchbacks to the highest point of the trail.
Finca La Esperanza: About 30 minutes later, pay your last entrance fee here at a tiny hut and fence break, and buy a cold drink (or even a postcard) if you’d like.
Bosque de Palmas: Finally, descend gradually into the iconic wax palm forest. The second half of the hike is easier on the lungs but harder on the knees!
Finish: Return to the main road, your car, and celebrate with a well-deserved trout lunch.
Final Thoughts
We wrestled with the decision to tackle the hike while carrying AJ, but in the end our wanderlust – and stubbornness – won out.
The trek was undeniably tough, but there was only one moment when E felt truly anxious: navigating a short rocky stream crossing. T went ahead to help guide her across the big flat stones step by step, ensuring AJ stayed safe the entire time.
If any of this sounds unappealing – we get it! We recommend doing just the Bosque de Palmas portion for the stunning views.
Wanna Get the Most Out of That Hike? Click below to check out some curated picks for making life easier when traveling with (and without) small children.
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