Hike guide in Colombia: exploring Los Nevados National Natural Park

beauty of the earth. It challenges your limits, rewards your effort, and leaves you with memories etched in the glaciers, wind, and silence of the high Andes.

Let us guide you through this extraordinary landscape. The trail is waiting—and so are we.

Hike guide in Colombia: exploring Los Nevados National Natural Park

Colombia is one of the most diverse countries in South America, offering landscapes that shift from tropical jungles to snowcapped peaks. For those seeking high-altitude adventure, few destinations match the beauty and challenge of los nevados national natural park. This hike guide in Colombia focuses on everything you need to know to explore this stunning region, from terrain and weather to physical readiness and gear.

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just beginning your journey into high-altitude trekking, this guide will give you the tools and insight to make the most of your adventure.

Discovering los nevados national natural park

Located in the heart of the Colombian Andes, los nevados national natural park is one of the most geologically and biologically diverse areas in the country. It spans over 580 square kilometers and includes three active volcanoes, glacial lagoons, cloud forests, and páramo.

Key features of the park

  • Main volcanoes: Nevado del Ruiz, Santa Isabel, Tolima

  • Elevation range: Between 2,600 and 5,321 meters above sea level

  • Ecosystems: Cloud forest, páramo, and glacier zones

  • Location: Departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, and Tolima

  • Climate: Cold, windy, and highly variable weather

  • Access points: Main cities include Manizales, Salento, and Pereira

This park is not only a visual spectacle, but a critical ecological reserve that supplies water to millions of Colombians and supports endemic species found nowhere else.

Essential preparations before the journey

To explore this park, a few non-negotiables must be planned in advance. The terrain and conditions require preparation, and the authorities enforce regulations to protect both hikers and the fragile ecosystems.

Required before entering the park

  • Registration at authorized entry points

  • Hiring a certified guide (mandatory)

  • Proof of accident and rescue insurance

  • Proper acclimatization before higher routes

  • Responsible tourism commitment

Best time to visit

  • Dry season (best weather): December–February and July–August

  • Rainy season (avoid): March–June and October–November

Always check local weather advisories and volcanic activity alerts before your trek.

Hike guide in Colombia: exploring Los Nevados National Natural Park
Hike guide in Colombia: exploring Los Nevados National Natural Park

Featured hiking routes worth the effort

The most comprehensive hike guide in Colombia would be incomplete without covering the iconic routes inside los nevados national natural park. Each trail offers a different view of Colombia’s high-altitude beauty.

Ascent to Nevado del Tolima

This route is for experienced hikers seeking a technical and high-altitude challenge. The summit reaches over 5,200 meters, and crampons and ice axes may be required in certain conditions.

  • Start point: Cocora Valley or Juntas

  • Elevation gain: Approx. 2,000+ meters

  • Duration: 3 to 5 days (round trip)

  • Difficulty: High

Trekking to Nevado Santa Isabel

One of the most accessible glaciers in Colombia. This hike gives you a full Andean experience, from valleys to páramo to the glacier itself.

  • Start point: El Cedral or La Pastora

  • Elevation gain: Moderate

  • Duration: 1–2 days

  • Difficulty: Moderate

Hike to Laguna del Otún

An excellent mid-level trek that blends ecology and panoramic landscapes, perfect for acclimatization or short expeditions.

  • Start point: El Bosque or Potosí

  • Elevation: ~3,950 meters

  • Duration: 1–2 days

  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Understanding the terrain and climate

Each trail in los nevados national natural park comes with its own set of physical and environmental challenges. The terrain shifts quickly, and so does the weather.

Terrain types you’ll encounter

  • Cloud forest: humid, rich in biodiversity, low visibility

  • Páramo: grassy, cold, windy, and unique to the Andes

  • Glacial zones: slippery, icy, requiring technical gear

  • Volcanic ground: dry, cracked, sharp rock formations

Weather considerations by altitude

  • 2,600–3,500 meters

    • Average temperature: 8–15°C

    • Weather risks: Rain and fog

  • 3,500–4,500 meters

    • Average temperature: 0–10°C

    • Weather risks: Strong wind and high UV exposure

  • 4,500–5,300+ meters

    • Average temperature: -5 to 2°C

    • Weather risks: Snowstorms and risk of hypothermia

Physical readiness and the right mindset

Hiking in los nevados national natural park isn’t about conquering a peak—it’s about pacing, endurance, and mindset. Even the most prepared hikers can be affected by altitude or sudden fatigue.

How to prepare physically

  • Begin cardiovascular training 4–6 weeks in advance

  • Include uphill hiking or stair workouts in your routine

  • Add strength training for legs, core, and shoulders

  • Practice hiking with your loaded backpack

Mental preparation

  • Accept the discomfort—it’s part of the journey

  • Stay flexible: plans can change due to weather

  • Celebrate progress, not just the summit

  • Be patient with your body and others in your group

Respecting nature and minimizing your impact

The park’s beauty comes with fragility. Hikers must adopt a low-impact ethic to protect this ecosystem.

H3: Do’s and don’ts in the park

Do:

  • Pack out all waste

  • Stay on marked trails

  • Respect local communities and customs

  • Use refillable water bottles and filters

Don’t:

  • Pick plants or feed animals

  • Camp in unauthorized areas

  • Use disposable plastics

  • Play loud music

Being a responsible traveler ensures these trails remain open and pristine for future generations.

Why go with us

Choosing the right guide can make or break your hiking experience. At Crested Outdoors, we combine deep local expertise with international safety standards and a love for meaningful travel.

What makes us different

  • Experienced, bilingual, certified local guides

  • Custom itineraries based on your fitness and interests

  • Emergency support and insurance options included

  • Eco-conscious travel with community-based support

  • Focus on personal growth, not just checkpoints

We’re more than just guides—we’re partners in your journey.

A journey that changes your perspective

Every step you take in los nevados national natural park reshapes how you relate to the world around you. It’s not just the altitude that takes your breath away—it’s the silence above the clouds, the crunch of glacial ice underfoot, and the wide, open sky that reminds you how small yet powerful you really are.

Let Crested Outdoors help you live that story—safely, consciously, and fully.