Cocora Valley, Quindio, Colombia

Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora) is a natural wonder nestled in the Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes, within the Quindío Department. It forms part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park and is best known as the primary habitat of Colombia’s national tree—the Quindío wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense), the tallest palm species in the world, reaching up to 60 meters. The valley’s name, “Cocora,” comes from a Quimbayan princess and means “star of water”.

The landscape is a surreal blend of lush green pastures, misty cloud forests, and towering palms that seem to pierce the sky. Due to its high elevation (1,800–2,400 meters), the valley often shrouds itself in low-hanging clouds, creating a mystical atmosphere. Visitors typically access Cocora Valley from the nearby town of Salento, a charming hub in Colombia’s coffee region. From there, jeep taxis (called “Willys”) transport travelers to the trailheads.

Hiking is the most popular way to explore the valley, with several trails offering varying levels of difficulty. The most iconic route is a 12-kilometer loop that winds through cloud forests, across suspension bridges, and up to panoramic viewpoints of the wax palms. For those seeking a lighter adventure, a shorter 30-minute walk leads directly to the palm forest. Horseback riding is also available, though travelers are encouraged to choose ethical operators who prioritize animal welfare.

Beyond its iconic trees, Cocora Valley is a haven for biodiversity. It supports endangered species like the yellow-eared parrot, which depends on the wax palm for nesting. The valley’s protected status, established in 1985, was a response to threats from deforestation and the harvesting of wax palms for Palm Sunday celebrations. Today, Cocora Valley stands not only as a symbol of Colombia’s natural beauty but also as a testament to conservation efforts that blend ecological preservation with sustainable tourism.

Cocora Valley seen from west

Riding to the Cocora Valley by jeep taxis (called “Willys”)
One of Salento’s most iconic features is its fleet of Willys jeeps, vintage vehicles originally brought to Colombia after World War II.

These rugged jeeps were adopted by local farmers to transport coffee, bananas, and even livestock across the mountainous terrain.
Today, they’ve become a beloved symbol of the region and are the primary mode of transport for tourists heading to Cocora Valley.
For a bit of fun, adventurous travelers often ride standing on the back bumper—a local tradition that adds a thrill to the scenic journey.

Entrance to the Bosque de Palmas Natural Park
Bosque de Palmas Natural Park, located within the Cocora Valley, is a natural reserve that showcases the country’s most iconic tree—the Quindío wax palm.

This forested area, also known as Bosque de Las Palmas, is part of the larger Reserva Natural Regional Valle del Cocora and offers one of the most accessible and awe-inspiring introductions to the valley’s unique ecosystem. The park is especially popular for its surreal landscape of towering wax palms rising from misty green hills, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that draws hikers, photographers, and nature lovers from around the world.
The main trail through Bosque de Palmas is a 2.6-mile (4.2 km) loop that takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. It’s considered a moderate hike, suitable for most visitors with a reasonable level of fitness. The trail winds through lush pastures and palm groves, offering panoramic views of the valley and access to two scenic miradores (viewpoints). While the loop used to be continuous, recent reports suggest that parts of the trail may be closed or rerouted, so hikers should check local conditions before setting out.
The trail is open year-round, but the weather can be unpredictable—expect mist, rain, and muddy paths, especially during the wet season. Proper hiking boots and a rain jacket are highly recommended. Despite the occasional mud and horse traffic, the experience of walking among the world’s tallest palms in a cloud forest is unforgettable. The park is also a great starting point for longer treks through the Cocora Valley and into the cloud forests of Quebrada Cárdenas.
There is a small entrance fee (around 25,000 Colombian pesos), and it’s best to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the peaceful ambiance. The trail is dog-friendly, and basic amenities like parking and restrooms are available at the entrance. Whether you're doing a short walk to admire the palms or using the park as a launchpad for a full-day hike, Bosque de Palmas offers a magical glimpse into Colombia’s natural heritage.

Recommended hike in Bosque de Palmas Natural Park
The recommended hike in Bosque de Palmas Natural Park—starting at Vivero Palma de Cera, ascending through the Bosque de Palmas, and continuing to Viewpoints 1 and 2 before descending to the exit—is a moderately challenging loop that offers some of the most iconic views in the Cocora Valley. This route is about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) long and typically takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. It’s ideal for travelers who want a rewarding hike without committing to the full Cocora Valley loop.

The trail begins at Vivero Palma de Cera, a nursery and conservation area dedicated to the preservation of Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm. From here, the path climbs gently into the Bosque de Palmas, where you’ll be surrounded by towering palms that seem to float in the mist. This section of the trail is especially photogenic, with rolling green hills and surreal cloud forest ambiance.
After passing through the palm forest, the trail continues uphill to Mirador 1, a scenic viewpoint that offers sweeping vistas of the valley below. A short but steeper climb leads to Mirador 2, which provides an even more dramatic perspective of the wax palms set against the backdrop of the Andes. These viewpoints are the highlight of the hike and perfect spots for rest, reflection, and photography.
The descent from Mirador 2 leads hikers back down toward the exit, often along a muddy horse trail, so sturdy footwear is essential. The trail is open year-round, but early morning visits are recommended to avoid crowds and catch the valley in its most atmospheric light. There is a small entrance fee (around 25,000 COP), and basic amenities like parking and restrooms are available at the trailhead. This hike is a perfect introduction to the Cocora Valley’s natural beauty and a must-do for any visitor to Salento.

Start of the trail

Sign indicating the distances to be covered
Forest of Palms is 1km away and the Viewpoints are 2.5km away.

Support house for hikers
After entering the park there is a support house for hikers.

Starting to climb towards the Forest of Palms

Panorama of the entrance and support house

Panorama of the Forest of Palms

Wax palm trunk
The Quindío wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense) is one of Colombia’s most iconic natural symbols—so much so that it was declared the national tree in 1985. Native to the humid montane forests of the Andes, particularly in the Cocora Valley, this palm is the tallest recorded monocot in the world, reaching heights of up to 60 meters (200 feet). Its name comes from the thick white wax that coats its smooth, cylindrical trunk, which was historically used to make candles and waterproof materials.

These palms thrive at elevations between 2,000 and 3,100 meters above sea level, where they form dense, otherworldly groves in the misty cloud forests of Colombia’s central Andes. Their towering trunks and tufted crowns give them a surreal, almost whimsical appearance—often compared to the Truffula trees from Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. But their beauty is more than skin-deep: the wax palm plays a vital ecological role, providing habitat and nesting grounds for endangered species like the yellow-eared parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis).
Despite their grandeur, Quindío wax palms have faced serious threats from deforestation, overharvesting, and the use of their fronds in religious celebrations like Palm Sunday. These practices often killed young palms before they could mature. Conservation efforts, including legal protection under Colombian law, have helped curb these threats, but habitat loss remains a concern. The Cocora Valley, as part of Los Nevados National Natural Park, offers a protected refuge where these palms can thrive.
Beyond their ecological and cultural significance, the wax palms have become a symbol of Colombia’s natural heritage and a major draw for eco-tourism. Hikers and nature lovers flock to the Cocora Valley to walk among these giants, often in awe of their scale and serenity. In many ways, the Quindío wax palm is not just a tree—it’s a living monument to Colombia’s biodiversity, resilience, and reverence for the natural world.

Epiphytes on the trunk of the wax palm
The trunks of Quindío wax palms in the Cocora Valley are not just towering columns of botanical grandeur—they’re also vertical ecosystems teeming with life. These smooth, waxy trunks host a variety of epiphytic plants, which are species that grow on other plants for physical support but do not extract nutrients from them. Among the most common epiphytes found on wax palms are ferns, mosses, lichens, and bromeliads, all of which thrive in the valley’s cool, moist cloud forest environment.

The high humidity and frequent mist of the Cocora Valley create ideal conditions for these epiphytes to flourish. Mosses and lichens often form the first layer, clinging to the waxy surface and creating a microhabitat that retains moisture. These, in turn, provide a foothold for more complex plants like ferns and bromeliads. Some of these species are endemic to the Andean cloud forests and rely on the vertical surfaces of tall trees like the wax palm to access sunlight above the forest floor.
These epiphytic communities are more than just botanical curiosities—they play a vital role in the broader ecosystem. They help regulate moisture, provide shelter for insects and small animals, and even serve as nesting material for birds such as the yellow-eared parrot, which depends on the wax palm for both food and habitat. The presence of these plants also indicates a healthy, biodiverse forest, as they are sensitive to changes in air quality and humidity.
Interestingly, the waxy coating that gives the palm its name doesn’t completely prevent colonization by these plants. Over time, as the tree ages and the wax layer wears thin in places, epiphytes are able to establish themselves. This slow, natural process turns each palm into a living skyscraper, supporting a vertical garden that contributes to the valley’s rich and layered biodiversity.