I initially decided to visit Salento after Medellín because of its reputation as a coffee town, but I never imagined the Cocora Valley hike would be so breathtakingly beautiful!!!
As shown in Figure 2, the trail offers both a long and a short route. Both start at Palma Park and follow a clockwise direction. The long route (about 6 hours) follows the red arrow up to the mountain hut and then descends along the river. For those with less time, the short route (1.5 hours) takes you down from the mountain hut along the blue arrow.
Choosing the clockwise direction is perfect for indecisive travelers like me. If you’re still feeling energized when you reach the mountain hut (like I was), you can continue on the longer trail. This direction is far easier than hiking counterclockwise, which involves relentless uphill climbs along the river that can leave even the fittest hikers exhausted. The experience of rushing uphill nonstop isn’t particularly enjoyable, in my opinion.
For adventure-seekers, the counterclockwise long route begins at the entrance opposite the bus station.
Difficulty level: Beginners can confidently attempt the 6-hour long route. The clockwise option is gentle and scenic, offering plenty of fun without too much strain. As a beginner myself, I was struggling at Tiger Leaping Gorge in April! Here in Cocora Valley, however, I completed the hike comfortably in Martin boots and a vest, marveling at the stunning landscapes throughout (the cover photo was taken near the end of the clockwise route, and I still felt great).
On horseback riding: If you’re interested in combining horseback riding with your hike, it’s absolutely doable in one day. The horseback trail follows the same clockwise direction but on a separate path. You’ll be dropped off at the starting point of the clockwise hike and can choose between 1-2 hours of riding.
While the scenery isn’t extraordinary, the rainforest horseback riding experience adds an exciting twist to your adventure. Personally, I found 1.5 hours to be sufficient before transitioning into hiking. Pricing details: For groups of three, a 2-hour horseback ride costs 120k pesos per person, plus an additional 8k peso card fee per person.
Recommended departure time: Since you’ll need to take a local jeep from Salento’s square to Cocora Valley, it’s crucial to purchase your ticket and begin queuing before 8 AM! Yes, before 8 AM! Otherwise, if you arrive at 8 AM, you might face a lengthy wait like I did [crying emoji], which isn’t ideal. That extra time could be better spent enjoying the horseback ride.
Wishing everyone a memorable journey! Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions. Stay tuned for an upcoming itinerary exploring the region’s iconic coffee plantations.
