In short
- Clockwise hits the wax palms early before afternoon fog rolls in.
- Counter-clockwise routes through the jungle and river crossings first.
- Both routes cover 600 to 800 meters of elevation gain.
In this article
Hikers completing the full loop in Los Nevados National Natural Park must decide between two paths. Your choice dictates when you tackle the steep climbs and when you see the 60-meter-tall Quindío wax palms.
What is the clockwise route?
The clockwise route takes you straight to the main palm forest viewpoints first. It climbs steeply from the start.
This path begins near the Princess Cocora statue and goes through Finca El Portón. You reach Mirador 1 and 2 within an hour. After viewing the tall trees, you climb toward Finca La Montaña at 2,860 meters. Finally, you descend through the cloud forest.
What is the counter-clockwise route?
The counter-clockwise route leads you through the dense cloud forest and river trails first. It ends at the wax palms.
Hikers start by walking the flat dirt road into the jungle. You cross several wooden suspension bridges over the Quindío River. The trail then climbs steeply to Finca La Montaña. From there, you walk downhill to the wax palm viewpoints.
Which direction is harder?
Both directions share the same 600 to 800-meter elevation gain. They are equally difficult overall.
Going clockwise requires an immediate ascent up the open hillsides. Going counter-clockwise involves a muddy climb through the jungle up to Finca La Montaña. The total trek takes 5 to 6 hours either way. Wear sturdy boots to handle the deep mud.
Does weather affect the choice?
Morning weather is usually clearer, making clockwise better for guaranteed views. Afternoon rain is common year-round.
The cloud forest environment brings afternoon rain and thick fog. If you hike clockwise, you see the palms when the sky is clear. If you go counter-clockwise, fog might obscure the 60-meter trees by the time you reach them.
Can you do a short hike instead of the loop?
You can skip the full loop and do a 4.2-kilometer out-and-back hike. This route goes directly to the palms.
Walk clockwise through Finca El Portón to Mirador 1 and 2. Once you finish taking photos, turn around and hike back. This takes about 1.5 hours. It avoids the deep mud and river crossings of the cloud forest trail.
Do you pay fees in both directions?
You cross up to three private properties on the loop. You must pay cash at each gate.
Bring small Colombian Peso bills. Finca El Portón charges about 10,000 COP. The optional Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary detour costs 20,000 COP. Finca La Esperanza charges roughly 30,000 COP. Credit cards are not accepted on the trail.
Questions travellers ask
Do you need a guide for the Cocora Valley hike?
No, you can hike independently. The paths are marked, but downloading an offline map application like Maps.me is highly recommended.
How do you get to the trailhead?
Take a Willys Jeep from the Plaza de Bolívar in Salento. The 11-kilometer ride takes about 30 minutes and costs 4,000 to 5,000 COP each way.
Is the Acaime Hummingbird Sanctuary worth it?
It is a popular 45-minute detour in the cloud forest section. The 20,000 COP fee includes a traditional hot chocolate with cheese or a coffee.
