Cocora Valley Anticlockwise Trail Head — Attraction in Quindío

We did the 10km counter clockwise trail, on a very very rainy day (advertised as 12km by the folk working at the park). You should start at the blue gate, by the parking lots of the Jeeps. Ignore the people right at the entrance who try to scam you out of 53'000 COP, just go in and pay 8'000 COP at the first check point you will find on the trail. You will have to pay another 25'000 COP at the very end of the trail about 1 km before the end.

The trail got highly muddy because of the rain, it didn't make it particularly difficult, just annoying. You first follow the Quindío river upstream for about 4 km, you have to cross some wonderful cable stayed bridges, and then the climb really starts, for another 2 or 3 km, and the end is just a super easy downhill walk, following an unpaved road. There were a couple of spots where you need to navigate some obstacles next to the river that could get tricky, but overall a very accessible hike.

Difficulty about 3/10 for an experienced hiker, and about 6/10 for the rest of the people in my group who are less experienced. This is taking the rain and mud into account.

Definitely do the trail anticlockwise regardless of the weather, and especially if...

The 13+ km loop hike was spectacular! I did it in the counter clockwise direction, and started early in the morning. If you want to do this as a true loop hike, as of January 2024, there are two trail fees: first, a fee of 6000 COP a few minutes past the entrance. Second, a fee of 20,000 COP at a checkpoint past the highpoint of Finca la Montaña. I was glad I paid the second fee, because it gave me a good view of the wax palms, and a chance to see some colorful tanagers.

There's also a spur trail, if you'd like to see hummingbirds (colibrís) up close. If you want to go to the structure at the end of this spur trail, add on another 20,000 COP. I took this spur trail, but turned around at the fee station, cuz it was starting to get warm, and the birds weren't very active, anyway.

The only downside of the loop hike was the last km or so. There's so much horse traffic from the tourist attractions, the pulverized horse (manure) is unavoidable. Plus, you have to walk past a row of cheesy tourist trap booths. But, IMO, a small price to pay for such a...

Cocora Valley was unfortunately one of the most underwhelming travel experiences I’ve had to date. We set off at 5.30am and I was so excited to view this iconic landscape. Unfortunately the natural beauty has been overrun by over tourism and the relentless pursuit of the perfect Instagram selfie. We passed hundreds of people dressed to the 9s, lining up to take their picture on top of one of the many props scattered around the valley. The problem isn’t tourism, it’s over tourism. The exact kind Europeans are protesting in Spain and Italy. I know this sounds hypocritical as I am a tourist, however there’s nothing wrong with tourism. But, you know it’s too far gone when it’s more about the Instagram shot than actually appreciating the natural beauty. Today I viewed the worst kind of society. Besides… the wax palm is an endangered species, slowly dying due to climate change. Cocora valley looks so sparse because it was previously farm land. Let’s celebrate overtourism, climate change and society’s selfishness. Would not recommend unless you want to be...