Hiking the Cocora Valley: our tips for walking among the wax palms

What awaits you in the Cocora Valley

In the Cocora Valley, you walk among the wax palms, the tallest in the world. They rise straight up above the meadows, thin as pencils, with a small tuft of leaves at the very top. In the morning, the mist clings to the slopes and the trunks appear one by one. It's a landscape you first take in silently.

Hiking here isn't a race. You follow dirt paths, cross pastures, and stop often to look up. Even a short walk is enough to find yourself at the foot of the palms. Those with more time and stamina can go further, towards the forest.

A word of honesty before you set off: the trails and their access rules can change over time and with the seasons. We'd rather tell you what we know for sure: ask at the entrance of the valley which trails are open on the day of your visit. For the road up to the valley, everything is explained in Cocora Valley: how to get there.

Short walk or long loop: choosing your hike

There are two main ways to discover the valley.

The first is the easy walk among the palms. You start from the entrance to the valley, climb gently through the meadows, take your photos and head back down. It suits most travellers, including families and people who aren't used to hiking.

The second is the long loop, which also goes through the forest before coming back to the palms. It takes more stamina and a full day of walking.

To choose, ask yourself three simple questions:

• How much time do you really have on site, travel included?
• Are you comfortable on a slippery path, both uphill and downhill?
• Are you travelling with children or people who walk less?

If you're unsure, start with the short walk. The palms are right there, and they're what you came to see.

When to go and what weather to expect

The best advice we can give you: set off early. In the morning, the mist gives the valley its dreamlike look, the light is soft and the paths are quieter. That's why our days start with a tinto, before Quindío is fully awake.

In the mountains, the sky changes fast. A clear morning can end in a downpour, and thick mist can roll in within minutes. That's no reason to give up: palms in the mist are often the most beautiful moment of the day. But it is a reason to be well equipped.

As for the season, we won't give you a ready-made rule: even in the driest months, a shower is always possible. Check the weather the day before, and keep in mind that rain is part of the landscape here.

What to pack

Nothing complicated, but nothing to forget. Here's what we suggest to our passengers before they climb into the Willys:

• Good shoes with a solid grip. The dirt paths quickly turn muddy and slippery after rain.
• A light waterproof jacket, ready for when the mist turns to drizzle.
• A warm layer. It's often cooler in the valley, especially early in the morning.
• Sunscreen and a hat: when the sun comes out between two clouds, it's strong.
• Water and a small snack, especially if you're aiming for the long loop.
• A little cash for a coffee or a drink.
• A plastic bag to protect your phone and keep spare clothes dry.

A spare pair of socks in your bag is a small luxury you'll appreciate on the way back, when you climb into the Willys with wet feet.

Riding up to Cocora by Willys

There are many ways to get to the valley. We go up by Jeep Willys, with a team of willyseros who have been driving these roads for 15 years. The engine purrs, the bends follow one after another, the fincas roll past, and with every climb the landscape opens up a little more.

Our Cocora + Salento tour leaves every day from Quimbaya, Filandia or Salento, with pick-up at your hotel at no extra cost in all three villages. Departure is at 8:00, after the tinto with your willysero. You're back between 16:00 and 17:00, your head full of landscapes.

What's included:

• Jeep Willys transport with your willysero
• The tinto at departure
• The Cocora Valley entrance
• 5 complimentary photos

A typical lunch is optional. The tour costs 200,000 COP per person, with a minimum of 4 people billed. A Willys takes up to 8 passengers. For children, it's free up to 3, and the adult price minus 30 % from 4 to 11.

How long you walk in the valley depends on the group's pace and on the day. If you're dreaming of the long loop, let us know when you book: we'll tell you honestly whether it's realistic that day.

And if the weather gets involved: cancellation is free up to 48 hours before departure, we reschedule your tour for free if the road or the site is closed, and if we cancel, we refund you in full.

After the walk: the streets of Salento

After the valley, we head back down to Salento. Your legs feel a little heavy, and that's perfect: Salento is best discovered at a slow pace. Colourful balconies, steep streets: you wander, sit down, watch life go by. Our walking ideas are in What to do in Salento in one day.

It's also the right moment for a coffee, or for the typical lunch if you chose it as an option. Take your time. After a morning among the wax palms, Salento tastes like a well-earned reward.

If you're looking for more peace and quiet

The Cocora Valley is well known, and it draws crowds, especially at weekends and during Colombian holidays. Setting off early helps a lot. But if you dream of having the wax palms almost to yourself, there's another option in Quindío.

Our La Carbonera tour takes you to the largest wax palm forest, away from the crowds, with a stop in Salento to stretch your legs. Departure is at 7:00, back between 15:00 and 16:00. It's a different atmosphere, wilder, ideal if you've already seen Cocora or prefer to avoid the crowds. To compare the two, read La Carbonera or Cocora: which valley to choose.

Cocora or La Carbonera, the essentials stay the same: good shoes, a jacket in your bag, and the urge to look up. The palms take care of the rest.

Plan your tour in a few taps, we confirm the date on WhatsApp.