EL COCUY National Park trek

In the north of Boyacá, El Cocuy National Park protects some of the last glaciers in Colombia's Andes, along with páramos and high mountain lakes. We organise treks with certified local guides, time to acclimatise and every permit arranged in advance.

The three authorised trails

• Lagunillas to the Púlpito del Diablo: 7.8 km return, moderate
• Laguna Grande de la Sierra: 19.6 km return, for experienced hikers
• Ritacuba: 14 km return, demanding

All three reach the edge of the glacier. Summiting and walking on the snow are not permitted, to protect the ice.

Park rules

Every visitor must hike with a guide registered with the national parks authority, hold accident and rescue insurance, register in advance and attend an induction talk before entering. Each trail has a daily visitor limit, and single-use plastics are not allowed. We take care of the paperwork so you can focus on the walk.

Altitude and acclimatisation

The trails start above 4,000 metres. We plan two or three days in the region before the first trek, with gentle walks and nights in El Cocuy or Güicán de la Sierra, so your body can adapt.

When to go

The driest months in the park are usually December to February. We check conditions and trail status before every departure.

How many days you need

El Cocuy is far from Bogotá, around ten hours by road. Plan at least five days: one to travel, two to acclimatise with gentle walks, one or two for the treks and one to return. Many travellers combine it with Lake Tota or Monguí on the way.

What to pack

• Waterproof hiking boots already worn in
• A down jacket, gloves and a warm hat: nights can drop below freezing
• A waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sunglasses and high-factor sun cream, because the sun is intense above 4,000 metres
• Your passport and insurance documents for the park registration

Questions about the trek

Getting to El Cocuy

The park is in the far north of Boyacá. The road from Bogotá passes through Tunja and the high valleys of the department, and the journey takes most of a day. The villages of El Cocuy and Güicán de la Sierra are the bases for the treks, with family-run lodges and mountain cabins. We organise private transport so the journey becomes part of the trip, with stops along the way.

A trek with local guides

Every visit to the park is made with guides registered with the national parks authority, many of them from the communities around the park. They know the weather, the trails and the stories of the mountain, and their work is one of the ways the park supports the local economy.

Combine El Cocuy with the rest of Boyacá

El Cocuy fits well at the end of a Boyacá route: Villa de Leyva first, then Monguí and Lake Tota, which are on the way and help with acclimatisation, and finally the high mountain. Allow eight to ten days for the whole route.