Quindío Hiking Trails Trail Map
Quindío covers 1,845 km² on the western slope of the Central Cordillera. Salento sits at about 1,895 m, 24 km from Armenia, and its municipality reaches the department's highest point, the Nevado del Quindío at 4,750 m. The Cocora Valley lies east of Salento; the jeep stop is at about 2,140 m and the loop's high point at about 2,860 m.
Explore the Best Trails in Quindío Hiking Trails
Quindío hiking trails start in Salento (about 1,895 m), the gateway to the Cocora Valley and its wax palms, Colombia’s national tree. The Cocora loop is about 14-15 km and 4-6 hours, with a high point of about 2,860 m; there is no permit, but farms on the loop and the Acaime hummingbird house charge small fees. Checked 8 October 2026. Country hub: https://incatrailreservations.com/trails/colombia/
Geographic Overview
Quindío covers 1,845 km² on the western slope of the Central Cordillera. Salento sits at about 1,895 m, 24 km from Armenia, and its municipality reaches the department’s highest point, the Nevado del Quindío at 4,750 m. The Cocora Valley lies east of Salento; the jeep stop is at about 2,140 m and the loop’s high point at about 2,860 m.
Cultural Context
Salento’s historic centre is part of the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The wax palm that fills the Cocora Valley, Ceroxylon quindiuense, is Colombia’s national tree under Law 61 of 1985, which prohibits felling it; it can grow to about 60 m.
Best Time to Visit
December to March and July to August are driest; mist and afternoon rain are possible in any month.
Getting There: Quindío Hiking Trails
- Salento (Town): Gateway town at about 1,895 m, 24 km from Armenia. Jeep taxis to Cocora leave from the main square.
- Cocora Valley jeep stop (Trailhead): Where the jeeps from Salento stop (about 2,140 m); the loop starts here. About 25 minutes from Salento.
Cocora Valley Hike: Wax Palm Loop from Salento
The Cocora Valley loop from Salento runs about 14 km through cloud forest, the Acaime hummingbird reserve and the Quindío…
Frequently Asked Questions about Quindío Hiking Trails
No. The loop is walked independently; no permit or guide is required.
About 14-15 km and 4-6 hours for the full loop; shorter variants of about 9.5 km exist.
There is no single ticket. Farms on the loop charge COP 5,000-6,000 each and the Acaime hummingbird house about COP 20,000; the jeep from Salento is about COP 10,000 return (2026 reports).
Jeep taxis leave from Salento’s main square and take about 25 minutes.
Rarely. The loop tops out at about 2,860 m; take the climb slowly if you have just flown in.
December to March and July to August are driest, but start early in any month to avoid afternoon rain.