24 Best Hiking Trails in Colombia
Colombia is a land of contrasts in Latin America: from snow-capped Andean peaks to steamy Amazon jungles and Caribbean coastline! Whether you're a seasoned trekker or a curious traveler with good shoes and grit, these hikes showcase the raw, majestic beauty of the country, and are stunning to witness. Be sure to check out other amazing hiking trails in Latin America for Nicaragua, Mexico, and most of the USA.
Without further ado, below are the top 24 hiking trails in Colombia that should be on every outdoor lover's bucket list, brought to you by yours truly, Competitours, the #1 mystery trips company out there:
Check out the Top Hiking Trails in Colombia
1. Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City) – Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Often called Colombia’s “Machu Picchu,” this 4- to 6-day jungle trek takes you deep into the Sierra Nevada mountains to discover ancient Tayrona ruins hidden in the mist. Expect river crossings, steep climbs, and a spiritual payoff at the summit.
2. Cocora Valley – Salento
Home to Colombia’s towering wax palms (the tallest palm trees in the world), the Cocora Valley loop is a lush Andean hike through cloud forests, open meadows, and swinging rope bridges—perfect for day hikers and photographers alike.
3. Nevado del Ruiz – Los Nevados National Park
Hike near an active volcano with snowy peaks in one of Colombia’s most stunning high-altitude reserves. The trail to the Laguna Otún or the Valle de las Tumbas offers glacier views and high-Andes flora at over 4,000 meters.
4. El Cocuy National Park – Boyacá
Remote and otherworldly, El Cocuy is for hardcore hikers. The park’s trails weave between snowcapped peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and vast páramo landscapes. Popular routes include Laguna Grande de la Sierra and Ritacuba Blanco.
5. La Chorrera Waterfall Trail – Bogotá Region
Just an hour outside Bogotá, this day hike takes you to Colombia’s tallest waterfall. The trail winds through dense cloud forest and ends with dramatic views of the 590-meter La Chorrera cascade—ideal for a short but rewarding adventure.
6. Paramo de Ocetá – Monguí
Referred to as the “most beautiful páramo in Colombia,” Ocetá is a fantasy-like high-altitude moorland full of frailejones, wildflowers, and ancient stone paths. This moderately challenging hike starts from the colonial town of Monguí.
7. Tayrona National Park Coastal Trail – Santa Marta
This coastal jungle hike leads to some of Colombia’s most beautiful Caribbean beaches. Trek from El Zaino to Cabo San Juan, passing through rainforest, indigenous sites, and stunning seaside lookouts.
8. Iguaque Lagoon – Villa de Leyva
A sacred Muisca site, this hike climbs from dry forest to a chilly glacial lagoon believed to be the cradle of life in indigenous mythology. It’s a steep, rewarding day hike near the colonial gem of Villa de Leyva.
9. Cerro Kennedy – Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
This 2-day trek leads to a sunrise view over both the Caribbean Sea and Colombia’s tallest peaks, Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Simón Bolívar. It’s a hidden gem with far fewer crowds than Ciudad Perdida.
10. Canyon of Chicamocha – Santander
Hike through one of the world’s largest canyons, where desert landscapes meet dramatic cliffs and river-carved valleys. Trails range from short lookouts to rugged descents down to the Chicamocha River floor.
11. Cerro Tusa – Antioquia
This steep, pyramid-shaped mountain near Venecia is often called the world’s tallest natural pyramid. It’s a short but intense climb with panoramic rewards—ideal for a half-day adrenaline kick near Medellín.
12. Los Estoraques Unique Natural Area – Norte de Santander
Otherworldly rock formations define this trail through Colombia’s version of a miniature Bryce Canyon. Hike among narrow spires, hidden caves, and eroded red cliffs in this lesser-known geological gem.
13. Quebrada La Vieja – Bogotá
A favorite urban hike for locals, this trail starts right from Bogotá’s city streets and climbs into the Eastern Hills. At the summit, you’ll get an expansive view over the capital—a perfect sunrise trek before breakfast.
14. Cañón de Las Lajas – Nariño
While famous for its stunning basilica built over a canyon, the surrounding trails offer scenic hikes through waterfalls, gorges, and mountainous terrain along the Colombia–Ecuador border. A spiritual and natural double feature.
15. Minca to Cerro Kennedy – Magdalena
This alternate approach to Cerro Kennedy starts from the jungle village of Minca. Hikers pass cacao farms, cloud forests, and wildlife-rich hills en route to a ridge that offers views over both Santa Marta and the snowy Sierra Nevada peaks.
16. Laguna Verde – Volcán Azufral
Hike to a neon-green crater lake nestled inside a dormant volcano in southern Colombia. This high-altitude trail near Túquerres features sulfur steam vents, Andean flora, and sweeping views of the Nariño region.
17. Tatacoa Desert Trails – Huila
Colombia’s second-largest arid zone offers unusual hikes through red and gray canyons, fossil fields, and surreal lunar landscapes. Best explored at sunrise—or under the stars with a telescope.
18. Isla Gorgona Jungle Trails – Pacific Coast
Once a prison island, Gorgona is now a remote Pacific paradise with lush rainforest trails. Hike through dense jungle to reach secluded beaches, ancient ruins, and maybe even spot whales offshore during migration season.
19. Paso del Ángel – Antioquia
This narrow mountain path with sheer drops on both sides is not for the faint of heart. Located near Jardín, it’s a pulse-quickening trail that rewards the brave with unbeatable views of green valleys and dramatic ridgelines.
20. Piedra del Peñol – Guatapé
While technically a staircase carved into a monolith, this short but vertical ascent is one of Colombia’s most iconic "hikes." Reach the top of the 740-step rock for jaw-dropping views of the Guatapé reservoir’s maze of blue and green.
21. Paramillo del Quindío (Los Nevados National Natural Park)
This trail is nestled in the heart of Los Nevados National Natural Park, a stunning volcanic mountain range in the Colombian Andes. The hike to Paramillo del Quindío traverses páramo ecosystems—high-altitude tundra unique to the northern Andes—where frailejones (giant rosette plants) dominate the landscape.
Along the way, hikers pass through cloud forests rich with endemic bird species like the Andean cock-of-the-rock and the spectacled bear habitat.
The trail offers breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks such as Nevado del Tolima and Nevado Santa Isabel. Trekking here requires preparation for chilly weather and sudden changes in altitude but rewards with one of Colombia’s most pristine natural environments.
22. Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – La Cristalina Trail
La Cristalina is one of the most iconic routes in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world’s highest coastal mountain range. The trail leads through diverse climates—from tropical rainforest at the base, ascending through cloud forests, to paramo at higher elevations.
The hike is culturally significant as it passes near indigenous Kogi communities, who consider the Sierra Nevada a sacred place.
Along the way, trekkers can spot rare orchids, colorful hummingbirds, and monkeys. The trail culminates at viewpoints offering stunning panoramas of both the Caribbean Sea and the snow-capped peaks above. The trek is moderately strenuous, often done with local guides who provide insight into the area’s biodiversity and spiritual heritage.
23. Páramo de Sumapaz
Located just south of Bogotá, the Páramo de Sumapaz is the largest páramo ecosystem in the world and an essential water source for the region. Hiking here takes you through mist-shrouded moorlands filled with unique vegetation such as frailejones and cushion plants. The environment feels otherworldly, with rolling hills of golden grass and peat bogs that support rare amphibians and birds like the Andean condor.
Trails vary from gentle walks to more demanding routes that cross small streams and peatlands. The páramo’s ecological importance and ethereal beauty make it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
24. Suesca Cliffs Hiking Trail
Known as the “Rock Climbing Capital of Colombia,” Suesca is also a fantastic hiking destination located about 60 kilometers north of Bogotá. The trails here weave through dramatic sandstone cliffs, dry forests, and small waterfalls. Hikers can explore caves and ancient petroglyphs left by indigenous peoples.
The area is popular with climbers but also offers scenic walks that provide spectacular views over the surrounding valleys and agricultural fields. The climate is mild, and the trails are suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers, making Suesca an accessible day trip from the capital.
