The 14 Best Hikes in Colombia: Waterfall, Mountain, and Jungle Trails

Colombia isn’t often mentioned when you hear about the best hikes in South America, and many don’t know it’s one of the best places to hike in Latin America. That may just be my opinion, but so be it. I’ll stand by that until the day I die.

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. I’ve hiked along beaches, rainforests, mountains, and waterfalls 30 minutes from a major city.

I have done most hikes on this list personally and others I have been recommended to by friends and fellow travelers that I plan on doing when I return.

Why Hike in Colombia?

Colombia is the 4th largest country in South America. It borders Venezuela and Ecuador in the Northern part of the continent. It’s also one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.

A ton of beauty, history, and unique wildlife makes hiking in this country so special.

One of my favorite hikes I did here you hike along a beach inside a rainforest. This forest is home to some of the rarest wildlife on the planet.

14 Unique Hikes in Colombia

Many hikes on this list aren’t the most popular in Colombia. There are many different sides to this amazing country. With a handful of them being in Medellin, it’s a different way to see this city that others don’t.

If you want more information on these hikes, then there will be a link to their Alltrails or a respective blog of theirs.

1. Cabo San Juan in Tayrona National Park

Hiking to Cabo San Juan in Tayrona National Park was one of, if not my most memorable experiences in Colombia. Certain portions of the hike made it feel like you were hiking on a deserted island.

There is nature everywhere and I even saw my first poisonous frog in the wild. I was stoked.

You will be surrounded by monkeys a lot while in Tayrona National Park. There are even some rare species located here.

The park is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm unless you decide to spend the night here. Hammock camping in the park is a great experience and I highly suggest you check it out. For only $40,000 COP you get to sleep in one of the most beautiful areas of Colombia.

Hiking details for Cabo San Juan:

• Distance: This hike is around an 8.1-mile loop trail. This depends slightly on if you take a bus to the trailhead.
• Duration: On average it will take people 3 hours to finish. Expect to stop more with humidity & seeing wildlife.
• Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as easy to moderate. The humidity can make this hike difficult at times.
• Incline: There isn’t much elevation gain since you are hiking along a beach. A total of around 692 feet.
• Hiking Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public.

2. Lost City Trek

Lost City Trek is one of the most unique hikes in Minca and maybe even in Colombia. Some compare it to the Machu Picchu trek in Peru.

This must be done with a tour company, as it is impossible to do alone. Some travelers come to Colombia solely for this hike.

The Lost City Trek lasts four days, and accommodation and food will be provided. During this trek, you will walk through dense forests, pass indigenous communities, and see plenty of wildlife.

If you have the money and time to do this trek, I highly suggest making it a priority.

If you want more information on this trek and reviews, you can find it on Alltrails.

Hiking details for the Lost City Trek:

• Distance: This hike is around a 29.2-mile out & back.
• Duration: It will take 4 days to get to the Lost City and back with your guides.
• Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as moderate to difficult. The humidity can make this hike difficult at times as well.
• Incline: Over the entire hike you will increase your elevation by 8,690 ft.
• Hiking Guide: A guide is needed for this hike and is impossible to do it without one.

3. Cerro de La Tres Cruces

The Cerro de la Tres Cruces hike is a must when visiting Medellin. It is a shorter hike compared to some and offers great views of the city.

You will most likely be staying in the El Poblado district of Medellin. From here it is only a 15-minute drive. It is a little bit closer if you are staying in the Rosales area as we did.

This is a popular park amongst locals who are looking for a good and fun workout. At the top of the hill, you will find multiple pieces of gym equipment.

Hiking details for Cerro de la Tres Cruces:

• Distance: This hike is around a 1.4-mile loop trail. This varies slightly depending on if you do the entire hike or not.
• Duration: It should take no more than 45 minutes to reach the top of the hike. The hike down is much faster and overall Cerro de Las Tres Cruces in Medellin should take 1 hour and 15 minutes. This depends on how long you stay at the top.
• Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as moderate because of the length, slight elevation gain, and potential heat. There are many areas to stop and rest. You will definitely get your sweat on.
• Incline: The elevation for this hike is around 1,100 feet or 335 meters. It is very steep at parts but nothing too crazy.
• Hiking Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public.

4. Parque Arvi in Medellin

Medellin is often called “the city of eternal spring,” and for good reason. During our month-long stay here, there were many rainstorms. With this name comes a lot more nature than people realize.

Parque Arvi is a nature reserve park in Colombia with many hiking trails. It is two adventures in one because the easiest way to arrive at the park is by sky rail.

This will give you some of the best views of Medellin and the surrounding area.

As I said, there are many trails and other activities to do in Parque Arvi. We chose to do the Ancestral Trail, which offered what appeared to be some of the best views of the city.

Hiking details for Ancestral Trail in Arvi Park:

• Distance: This is a 2.7-mile point-to-point trail. If you walk to the trailhead like us, it will add on even more.
• Duration: This trail should take no more than 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. The time depends on how long you sit for lunch and how often you take in the beauty of this park.
• Difficulty: This hike is rated as easy on alltrails. I completely agree with this rating as the majority of this hike is on flat land.
• Incline: The elevation gain is around 472 feet or 143 meters. It is spread so far along the trail that you will barely notice it.
• Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public

5. Tatacoa Desert in Huila

The Tatacoa Desert may not be known by many, but it has recently become increasingly popular among travelers. This area of Colombia, located in Huila, showcases the vast diversity of this country and its hikes.

When visiting here, you can choose from many trails. It is popular to take a tour from the town of Neiva to truly get the full experience.

You will be blessed with rock formations ranging from red to white in this canyon. It reminds me somewhat of certain areas in Arizona.

It is a desert, so make sure to bring 45-minute water with you!

6. Marinka Waterfalls

Marinka Waterfalls is located in the small mountain town of Minca, very close to Tayrona National Park. It is only a short 45 minute drive from the town of Santa Marta.

This is a lovely town that I would go back to in a heartbeat. This region of Colombia boasts some of the country’s best hikes.

Marinka waterfalls is a shorter hike than others on this list but you can add in other spots like Ear of the World waterfall.

Hiking details for Marinka Waterfall:

• Distance: This hike is a 4.7-mile out & back trail. This depends on visiting the Ear of the World waterfall along the way.
• Duration: It will take around 2 hours to complete this hike.
• Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as easy to moderate. While this is mainly all on the road, some parts have an incline.
• Incline: The elevation for this hike is 944 feet or 287 meters.
• Hiking Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public.

7. Cerro Kennedy

Cerro Kennedy is a hike in the same region as the previous entry on this list. Located in the Northwestern region of Colombia is a large mountain range where Pico Cristóbal Colón is nestled.

This is a 2-day hike where you will be staying at the Moncho Hostal near the top. This family-run hostal is cheap and offers a great dinner during your stay.

If you ask Moncho’s son, he might be willing to take you to a good sunrise spot as he did for us. It would have been difficult to find on our own, that’s for sure.

At this spot, you will be able to see the coastal towns as well as the famous mountain range on each side of you.

Hiking details for Cerro Kennedy:

• Distance: This hike is around 24 miles out & back trail. This depends on your starting location. We got dropped off at El Campano but some moto-taxi drivers will drop you up further. It is suggested to make this an overnight trip and stay at Donde Moncho Hostal.
• Duration: It will take around 5 hours to get to Cerro Kennedy. Once again, this depends on whether you make it an overnight trip and where your starting location is.
• Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as moderate to difficult. Most of the trek is along a rocky road, and there are also many inclines, which make it more difficult.
• Incline: This hike to the peak involves a 5000-foot or 1500-meter elevation gain. If you stop at Donde Moncho Hostal, the incline to that point will be about 1200 meters.
• Hiking Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public.

8. Valle de Cocora

One of the staple hikes in any backpacker’s itinerary for Colombia is Valle de Cocora. This is where the legendary tallest palm trees in the world call their home.

Many travelers visit the town of Salento to solely go to this one-of-a-kind park. There are many trail options but a good one to do is their loop hike.

We did portions of this hike & it offers multiple miradors to stop at along the way. If you want to read reviews of the hike, you can check it out on Alltrails.

Hiking details for the Valle de Cocora Loop hike:

• Distance: This hike is around a 6.4-mile loop hike.
• Duration: It will take 4-5  hours to complete depending on how long you stay at the miradors.
• Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as moderate to difficult. There are plenty of spots to take a break and a good amount of elevation.
• Incline: The elevation for this hike is around 2500 feet or 762 meters.
• Hiking Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public.

9. Cerro Quitasol

Cerro Quitasol isn’t the most known hike in Medellin but it’s a good one. It offers some of the most unique views as it is the highest point in Medellin.

The hike is technically located in the northern part, Bello. It is extremely easy to get here, as you can take the metro all the way north to the second-to-last stop.

Don’t underestimate the hike as we did. The sun is very hot and we were dumb by not bringing enough water. Thankfully I brought my Grayl filter water bottle with me.

I highly suggest you add this to your list of hikes when visiting Colombia.

Hiking details for Cerro Quitasol:

• Distance: This is a 6.7-mile point-to-point trail. This depends slightly on which path you take. We followed this wikiloc trail but deviated a little from this which added an extra mile.
• Duration: It took us 7 hours to hike it but that was with multiple stops and a long lunch. 6 hours seems to be average.
• Difficulty: This hike isn’t on Alltrails but I rate it as difficult. Many other reviews I have read are in agreement. Being in good physical shape is a huge plus on this hike.
• Incline: The elevation gain is around 3800 feet or close to 1200 meters. The trail is straight for the majority of the time until you reach the peak.
• Hiking Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public.

10. Salto del Angel in Envigado

Salto del Angel is next on my list of hikes in Colombia. This is the tallest waterfall in Medellin and is part of a chain of waterfalls in the region of Envigado.

The starting point for this hike is at La Cathedral. This is the old prison for Pablo Escobar.

You can take the A-line on the metro down south and get off at the Envigado stop. From here a taxi to La Catedral will cost around $25,000.

From La Catedral, go to the back of the building behind the parking lot. You will see an opening into the forest, which is the beginning of the hike.

11. Los Pinos

Los Pinos is the last hike on this list in the town of Minca. It is the most popular viewpoint in the town because it is easily accessible by vehicle and foot.

You can combine this hike with one previously on this list, Marinka Waterfalls. You can get a ride up here through the moto-taxi service or hike as we did.

Very close to this viewpoint is a small cafe where you can enjoy a drink and another view.

Hiking details for Los Pinos:

• Distance: This hike is around a 14-mile out & back trail. This depends on visiting the Ear of the World waterfall along the way and Marinka Waterfalls.
• Duration: It will take around 6-7 hours to complete depending on how long you stay at the top.
• Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as moderate to difficult for some. While this is mainly all on the road, some parts have an incline. This is especially true if you take a slightly different route.
• Incline: The elevation for this hike is around 900 meters
• Hiking Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public

12. Cascada El Silencio

Cascada El Silencio is the last on this list of hikes in Colombia that are located in Medellin. Salto del Angel flows into this next waterfall.

Instead of taking the ropes up to the entrance to Salto del Angel, you will want to keep walking down the path. You will come across ropes leading down. Keep following this path until you get to an open field.

Once at this open field directly across from you is the river. Hop across it and keep following the river upstream. You’ll have to hop across a few times but as long as you keep following the river upstream you will find it.

We had the help of some locals, otherwise, this wouldn’t have been one of the hikes that we would have known about in Medellin.

13. La Piedra Del Penol – Guatape Rock

La Piedra del Peñol isn’t as much of a hike as others on this list but it’s a must-see. The famous Guatape rock is probably already on your itinerary as it is one of the most popular destinations in Colombia.

The rock is in the town of Guatape and you will not be able to miss it when driving by. There are around 700 stairs that you will be taking to the top in a very unique natural beauty.

14. Cascada La Escalera: Jardin’s 4 Waterfall Hike

Cascada la Escalera is the first of 4 different waterfalls located in Jardin. This quaint town is located just south of Medellin.

La Escalera reaches 60 meters, and you can also pay to go down it with a tour guide on ropes. This first waterfall is very easy to get to, and the other three are more of a hike.

The other three waterfalls are called the Fall of the Dragon, Cueva de Los Guacharos, and Salto del Angel. I suggest you download Maps.me, as it is the best tool for offline maps in this region.

Adding this to your list of hikes in Colombia will add on a hell of an adventure.

Hiking details for Cascada La Escalera: Jardin’s 4 Waterfall Hike:

• Distance: This hike is around a 6.1-mile loop hike. This depends on if you go to the other waterfalls or not. This could add on another potential 5 to 8 miles.
• Duration: It will take 2-4 hours to complete depending on how long you stay at the waterfalls.
• Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as easy – moderate for the first waterfall. If you go to the other waterfalls then it becomes more difficult. This is mainly due to the soft terrain and mud.
• Incline: The elevation for this hike is around 1400 feet or 425 meters.
• Hiking Guide: A guide is not needed for this hike and is easily accessible by the public.

Things to Know Before Traveling to Colombia

Before planning your hiking trip to Colombia, you might wonder about a few things about the country. I will review some details, such as safety and transportation.

Best Time to Hike in Colombia

The best time to hike in Colombia depends on what you want to experience. We didn’t plan this but you were in Colombia during part of its rainy season in April/May. The rain might not be ideal sometimes, but it brings the environment to life.

If you want dryer weather, I recommend visiting here from December through March to do a bunch of hikes.

Is Colombia Safe?

In short, Colombia is safe to travel to. However, you should be careful of your surroundings, especially in big cities like Medellin.

Pickpockets or robberies can happen if you are too flashy with your belongings. This is true in many places around the world and even in the United States.

Overall, most people you will run into in this country are incredibly nice and don’t want to harm you at all. The best tip to not getting yourself into trouble is to refrain from excessive alcohol consumption.

Transportation in Colombia

The beauty of Colombia is the cost of transport throughout the country. If traveling from big city to big city, I would suggest taking a plane. They are super affordable and will save you a bunch of time.

When traveling in the coffee region, it is best to always take a bus. These are very cheap and in my experience seem to be on time mostly.

The best advice is always to take night buses as this will cut costs on accommodation.

All the bus prices are using the site Redbus.

Buses in Colombia

• Medellin to Cali (11 hours): $91,000 COP (day bus) and $66,000 COP (night bus)
• Bogota to Medellin (9 hours): ~$100,000 COP
• Medellin to Salento (8 hours): $73,000 COP

Final Thoughts on the Most Unique Hikes in Colombia

Colombia will capture your imagination and be full of adventures around every turn. This is my personal list of hikes that are unique compared to others I have done in the past. I spent two months here, and I still have so much I need to see. I highly suggest picking a handful of hikes on this list and completing them yourself.