Bogotá, Colombia's capital city, is a sprawling metropolis which more than 10 million people call home. Situated on a high plateau in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense region of the Andes mountain range, the average altitude is an eye-watering 2,600 metres. Bogotá is surrounded by cerros easily exceeding 3,000 metres and is the perfect base for numerous weekend and day trips where you can experience unique fauna and ecosystems of the Colombian high Andes which are not found anywhere else in the world.
This post is the result of seven months research and personal hiking activities. I took every opportunity to "escape the city" into the surrounding cerros and misty valleys, exploring every opportunity that I could find. I have listed them here so that you can also easily find and enjoy the same treks.
For more inspiration read about 7 lesser known locations that you need to explore during your time in Colombia.
Day Hikes from Bogotá
There are many day hikes that are easily reachable from Bogotá, some even start in the city itself and you can just walk straight up into the cerros. Others are a short journey from one of Bogotá's bus terminals or by car. The main problem with leaving the city is traffic and the slow bus system. Do make sure you leave early, and if taking public transport, which I would fully recommend, take a taxi or Uber to the bus terminal. They tend to be cheap and the extra cost will save you the nightmare of crossing the city using the TransMilenio.
Note that all of this information was correct before COVID-19 restrictions were in place. Please do check before you travel.
1. Mirador Aguadora
One of the many paths leading up into the mountains surrounding Bogotá is the Mirador Aguadora hike. This short hike is perfect for a Sunday morning excursion and definitely one for the kids, and when you reach the top you can see panoramic views of the city. It's a great little hike, especially if you have just arrived and want to get used to the altitude or if you are looking for something not too strenuous and want to avoid the crowds at Montserrat. And the best thing about the hike is that it's absolutely free! Starting in Usaquén amongst the market and restaurants means you can finish off with a well-deserved beer, ice cream or pizza, whatever takes your fancy. For those looking for a slightly longer hike, then this one is easily combined with the Camino del Indio (see below), which follows straight on when you reach the top…more.
2. Camino del Indio
Camino del Indio follows a path that the indigenous peoples of the Bogotá Savannah used to traverse that leads down through the evergreen mountain forests, east of Bogotá, to La Calera. It's a stunning and short hike that takes you above the Embalse de San Rafael, the reservoir which is the lifeblood of Bogotá, which provides a visually stunning backdrop to this hike through the Andes. The 12-kilometre route can easily be completed in around 4 hours and there are a variety of ways to complete the trek as it can act as an extension to the Mirador Aguadora hike…more.
3. La Quebrada la Vieja
Set in the Cerros Orientales, the mountains to the east of Bogotá, the great thing about Quebrada La Vieja is that it is 4 hikes in one. The hikes are short, well maintained, not too challenging and at the end you get a stunning view of Bogotá as your reward. Best of all they are completely free! Anyone who has been to Bogotá will know that surrounding the valley are lush green Cerros Orientales mountains often topping 3,000 metres. The path was previously closed due to safety reasons and the number of hikers, over 2,000 each day, causing damage. The government sensibly stepped in, have spent time re-cutting the paths, protecting the area and after an ecological survey there is now limited access. You will need to make a reservation on the website and from there you can select a date and time to hike. The paths are open all year, except on Mondays for maintenance, or if a holiday falls on a Monday they will be closed on the Tuesday. It's not as complex as it sounds…more.
4. Cerro de Monserrate
Perhaps the number one destination for panoramic views of downtown Bogotá, for both tourists and locals alike, is Cerro de Monserrate. Famous for its church, where on Sundays legions of parishioners make their way up, via cable car, train and hiking, for the weekly service, the Cerro provides a little sanctuary from the bustling city below. Travel up in the evening to enjoy the sunset over the Andes and see the skyline come alive with lights or take an early-morning hike and reward yourself with a deserved Agua de Panela when you arrive…more.
5. Cerro de Guadalupe
The stunning Cerro de Guadalupe stands out in Bogotá's skyline where the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe, built by sculptor Gustavo Arcila Uribe in 1946 and the accompanying chapel,are visible from vantage points across the city. Situated in the eastern hills across from Cerro de Monserrate, Bogotá's premier tourist attraction, which also offers great views of the statue. Cerro de Guadalupe is much less popular, but arguably the more beautiful cousin, and is well worth a trip. The views of the Bogotá Savannah are stunning, with a better angle to see more of the city, and being less popular means that you can have the peak to yourself and enjoy a tranquil respite from the metropolis…more.
6. La Chorrera Waterfall
One of the more frequented hikes near Bogotá, the La Chorrera waterfall is the highest waterfall in Colombia with a 590-metre drop and the sixth highest in South America. A short one-hour trip on the bus will transport you to a different world, away from the polluted metropolis of Bogotá, where you can explore the green Colombian Andes valleys and trek Latin America's 6th highest waterfall. Once off the bus you can either choose to hike along the 4-kilometre road or catch a lift in one of the 4×4 cars that will whisk you there from the main road. To see the waterfall at its best make sure you visit in rainy season or soon after as the falls can reduce to a trickle in the dry season. It's a great day out and the perfect starter hike if you have recently arrived in Bogotá and want to acclimatise…more.
7. Matarredonda Ecological Park
Parque Ecológico Matarredonda is a páramo situated right on Bogotá's doorstep. Less than an hour's travel by bus you are transported into a different world far away from the pollution and noise of the bustling metropolis. The park is very accessible with well-marked and maintained trails taking you through the unique páramo landscape, around blue lagoons and up mountain peaks of 3,600 metres. The weather will also change your experience—expect anything from clear blue skies to deep rolling fog, meaning repeat visits are a must. Once you are dropped off by the bus you can grab a hot chocolate to warm you up before the hike and after you hike stop for lunch in the small restaurant close to the entrance…more.
8. Chicaque Park
Parque Natural Chicaque is set in a high-mountain cloud forest a stone's throw away from Bogotá. The wind blows the clouds around the mountain-tops allowing you to snatch glimpses of the valley below as you descend with an ever-changing view. The lush green forest has so many unique plants you will feel as if you are in a jungle a world away from the smoggy capital and it is well worth a visit. The well-marked paths are perfect for all-ability hiking and the park is open for bird-watching, camping and horse-riding or you can ride in one of the jeeps to the hotel and relax…more.
9. Cerro Quinini
Cerro Quininí is located in a natural park situated high in the Colombian Andes. Surrounded by green mountains from horizon to horizon you can see birds of prey hunting in the warm coffee-growing region. Located only two hours' drive from Bogotá you will be amazed how much the landscape and climate change in the short distance as the constant cold is replaced with warm and sunny days, with enough cloud cover to keep you protected when hiking. The small towns in the region make this the perfect weekend getaway from the bustle, cold and pollution of Bogotá. You can come and stay on one of the many coffee farms or in one of the small towns and enjoy playing Tejo with the locals…more.
10. Cuchilla Cerro El Tablazo
Cuchilla El Tablazo is considered the jewel in the crown of the Western Bogotá Savannah. Rising to 3,500 metres high it serves as a natural wall—the height of the cliff stops the clouds from the warmer climates in the regions below surrounding the páramo and forest in fog. This creates a mysterious landscape that is completely unique to this region. The wind currents that the birds use to glide reveal the beautiful landscape for miles and miles. From here you can hike down to Supatá, a small town set at 1,800 metres where the temperature is tropical and you can wash down a beer before taking the bus back to Bogotá. Descending 1,700 metres over the course of 14 kilometres, you will see the vegetation change and feel the temperature rising. This hike is a truly one-off experience where you can walk down from the dense cloud forests into the local dairy farms situated in the picturesque lush green valleys far below…more.
11. Laguna de Guatavita
Laguna de Guatavita, one of the fabled locations of El Dorado, was once filled with Gold and Emeralds. The small lake in a crater was considered sacred by the Muisca people who left offerings for their Gods. Today it's easily accessible from Bogotá by bus or car and for the more active there is a 7-kilometre hike along green country roads to the entrance. The park is well maintained by CAR and their knowledgeable guides will take you on an extensive tour of the national park giving you detailed information on the history of the laguna…more.
12. Pionono Park
Located just 45 minutes north of Bogotá, Pionono Park is a peaceful mountain paradise located above the small town of Sopó, which is home to Colombia's favourite dairy, Alpina. After hiking up to the park, or taking transport to the entrance, you will experience the beautiful panoramic views of Guatavita on one side and the Valle de Sopó on the other. You can relax in The Cabana Alpina enjoying freshly prepared desserts and sweet treats as a reward. The park itself is not too large, which makes it perfect for all abilities, and it will be a welcome relief for those who, like us, decided to walk up the steep road from the town…more.
13. Suesca
Situated on the northern edge of the Bogotá Savannah, an hour outside of Bogotá, is Suesca. Famous for the Rocas de Suesca (Suesca Rocks),it's a mecca for outdoor activities. For the adventurous there are 500-plus climbing routes across the rocks, plenty of hiking trails, and many cycling routes. For those who require less of an adrenaline rush,you can take time to relax by Lake Suesca or eat in one of the many restaurants. Hiking along the ridge-line along the top of the cliffs provides views of the surrounding area for miles around. The scenery is breath-taking. Or follow the railway and recreate the scenes from the movies…more.
14. Farallones de Sutatausa
The Farallones de Sutatausa are a stunning rock formation that form the backdrop of Sutatausa, a small mining town 90 minutes north of Bogotá. Sacred to the local indigenous peoples, the 3,000-metre peak is one place that you can see the Bogotá Savannah and surrounding valleys at the same time. As you climb to the top the views of the surrounding landscape unfolding below are phenomenal. The views combined with the unique rock structure and plant foliage make this a must-visit destination…more.
15. Laguna de Iguaque
The Sacred Laguna de Iguaque (Lake Iguaque) is a high-altitude Andean lake surrounded by stunning páramo. The Muiscas, the indigenous peoples from the region, believed that humanity originated from the lake when the Goddess Bachué appeared from the lake with a baby in her arms. The 14-kilometre hike starts in the green valleys of the Bogotá Savannah and leads upwards through cloud forests which slowly give way to lush mountains giving you a panoramic view of the surrounding area. A three-hour drive north of Bogotá, the hike necessitates staying in the beautiful colonial UNESCO World Heritage town Villa de Leyva for at least one night, which is perfect, as the culinary delights are a treat to feast upon the night before and to reward yourself with cold beers and delicious food the night after…more.
There are of course a few places missing from this list as sadly I ran out of time. There is of course Chingaza National Park, which is only accessible by car, and a few more in the list below if you care to explore:
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Along with many, many more. You only have to look at the trails that appear on http://Maps.me to find the places that you can visit. Enjoy!
All the above links are to external sites and I have no control over the information that they provide.
For more inspiration read about 7 lesser known locations that you need to explore during your time in Colombia.
