5 ROUTES TO PRACTICE HIKING AT THE COFFEE AXIS
We bet that you are one of those who are a nature lover, and you are ensuring not missing any route when you come to the Colombian Coffee Triangle. So, stay calm that we will show you 5 hiking routes 🥾 that you would not like to miss out at the Coffee Axis.
Additionally, we are going to share the link to see more details of each hiking route and its costs. In case you do not speak Spanish fluently, you could either select the option to go with a bilingual guide 🇺🇸 🇫🇷.
INFORMATION THAT YOU WILL FIND OUT IN THIS POST:
- Where is located the Coffee Axis?
- How to get to the Coffee Axis?
- Low Hiking Routes at the Coffee Axis
- High Hiking Routes at the Coffee Axis?
- Recommendations to take a tour
- Lodgings at the Coffee Axis.
Let's get started ⛰️.
[See this post in English version 🇺🇸]
VIDEO ABOUT WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE AT THE COFFEE AXIS
Now, we are going to share with you a short video to show you the places we described in the post. It is important to mention that the video has english captions, so you could activate them.
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¿WHERE IS LOCATED THE COFFEE AXIS 🤔?
The Coffee Axis or well known as the Colombian Coffee Triangle is located at the center-western zone of the Ándes Mountains; as a result, by being located in this central part of the Ándes Mountains, it becomes it as one of the touristic places with more accessibility from the main cities of Colombia such as Medellín, Cali and Bogotá.
To remark, the Coffee Axis is conformed by the following 3 departments such as Risaralda, Quindío and Caldas, which make up the Golden Coffee Triangle which becomes it as one of the colombian zones with more demanding on gastronomy, culture,tourism and endless coffee plantations
HOW TO GET TO THE COFFEE AXIS ?
To get to the Coffee Axis, you can do it by bus as well as by plane. If you are planning to arrive to the Coffee Triangle, you could find flights discounts and promotions
-> BY PLANE 🛩️
If you are going to travel to the Coffee Axis by plane, you are going to find more available flight options to Pereira than Manizales and Armenia since it is the only city with an international airport. Pereira is located in the middle of Manizales and Armenia.
So, it will be easier to move to both cities of the Colombian Coffee Triangle. Here, we are going to share some available airlines which offers daily nonstop flights
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Jetsmart: It is an ultra low-cost new flight company in Colombia, as a result, the company still has some flight promotions
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Avianca: It is a leading Latin American airline serving in this region
-> BY BUS 🚐
In case you decide to travel by bus, you are going to find many alternatives and transportation schedules. Take into account that traveling from Armenia to Pereira lasts more and less 1 hour. From Pereira to Manizales takes approximately 50 minutes and from Manizales to Armenia 2 hours approximately.
- From Bogotá to the Coffe Axis: 10 hours approximately.
- From Cali to the Coffee Axis: 6 hours approximately
- From Medellín to the Coffee Axis 5 hours approximately
HIKING ROUTES AT THE COFFEE AXIS 🥾
As you may know, The coffee axis is a region of central Colombia that mainly occupies the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío. These three departments make up the "Coffee Triangle" that runs along a line from north to south following the central mountain range and the snow-capped peaks of the Nevados National Park, on the eastern flank of the three which means that the Coffee Triangle be a tourist place filled of mountains highlands, wastelands, rivers,swamps, and forests in which you could enjoy of making plans like ecological walks in the forests or trips to wastelands and snowy mountains.
Here, you will be able to check some routes out that you could visit at the Coffee Axis:
MID-MOUNTAIN TRAILS ⛰️
The trails we present below offer diverse landscapes, full of nature and waterfalls.
If you enjoy birdwatching, these places will be perfect for you.
Some of these routes require a bit more experience than others, so keep that in mind when planning your adventure. These trails are located between 1,501 and 2,500 meters above sea level.
#1 BARBAS BREMEN
This nature reserve, located in Filandia, Quindío, just one hour from Pereira, is home to howler monkeys.
If you're lucky, you might see them—or at least hear them. These monkeys produce a sound that can be heard up to 3 miles away, thanks to an enlarged hyoid bone in their throat, which acts as a powerful resonator. It's the males who make these calls to mark their territory.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
- Total Distance: 2.4 miles
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- IHiking Inclination: 6233.5 f.a.s.l to 6594.4 f.a.s.l
👉 Click here to see more details about Barbas Bremen Tour
#2 LA PASTORA OR LOS CHORROS WATERFALLS
This waterfall is located in the Ucumarí Regional Natural Park, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Pereira.
It's a trail surrounded by lush vegetation—perfect for birdwatching enthusiasts.
The hike covers about 7.5 miles, and much of the route is over rocky terrain, which makes it a bit challenging.
For this reason, it's important to walk carefully. In this case, trekking poles will be a great idea.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
- Total Distance: 7.5 miles
- Trail Duration: 8 hours
- Elevation Range: 5,675 to 6,398 feet above sea level
👉 Click here to see information about the tour to La Pastora Waterfalls or Los Chorros Waterfalls
HIGH-MOUNTAIN HIKING ROUTES 🧗♂️
The trails we present below offer a variety of landscapes: you'll find snow-capped peaks, páramos, and frailejones.
Each one has a different level of difficulty, so we recommend paying close attention to the instructions.These routes are located between 8,205 and 18,045 feet above sea level.
#3 NEVADO DEL RUIZ
At the time of writing this post, Nevado del Ruiz has been under yellow alert since 2012.
Because of this, visitors are only allowed to go as far as a sector called Tumbas, where it’s unlikely to see snow.
The route must be done by vehicle, although visitors can get out and walk in some authorized areas. This measure was adopted to make tourist evacuation easier in case of an emergency within the park.
If your goal is to see or touch snow, this is not the route for you.
But if you want to enjoy páramo landscapes and spectacular high-mountain views without having to hike much, this is the perfect route for you.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
- Total Distance: 0.3 miles
- Trail Duration: 3 hours
- Elevation Range: 12,894 to 13,780 feet above sea level
Photo by: @david_giraldo1010
👉 Click here to see information about the Nevado del Ruiz tour
#4 LAGUNA DEL OTÚN
Laguna del Otún is one of the largest lakes in Los Nevados National Park.
To get there, you first need to travel by car for approximately 3 hours.
During the rainy season, the road can become difficult, and it's not uncommon to see motorcycles or cars stuck in the mud.
Once at the park entrance, the 5.9-mile hike begins, taking around 6 hours.
The trail sits at an elevation between 12,894 and 13,599 feet above sea level.
It’s a moderately difficult hike and is not recommended for people with lung or heart conditions.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
- Total Distance: 5.9 miles
- Trail Duration: 8 hours
- Elevation Range: 12,910 to 13,602 feet above sea level
👉 Click here to see more details about the Tour to Laguna del Otún
#5 NEVADO SANTA ISABEL
Nevado Santa Isabel is one of the next snow-capped mountains expected to become a paramillo, a term used to describe a glacier that has lost its snow.
It’s important to note that access to this part of the mountain is only allowed through agencies authorized by Los Nevados National Park.
Additionally, the road is in poor condition. This is worth mentioning because some vehicles have been found stuck in the mud after trying to go up without a reservation.
Now, about the ascent to Santa Isabel—it takes place over two days:
Day 1: Acclimatization.
Day 2: Ascent to the summit (approximately 10 hours of hiking).
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
- Total Distance: 8.4 miles
- Trail Duration: 2 days, 1 night
- Elevation Range: 13,628 to 16,152 feet above sea level
Photo by: @juancanon.ph
👉 Click here to see information about the Nevado Santa Isabel summit tour
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TAKING A TOUR 🥾🧳
We know how hard it can be to travel without knowing if the tour agencies are safe or reliable.
That’s why we’re sharing some agencies we’ve already worked with and currently collaborate with.
If you ever run into any issues, feel free to reach out to us.
WE RECOMMEND:
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Plan your trip in advance, especially if you want to visit places like Laguna del Otún or Nevado Santa Isabel.
These destinations are much more affordable if done in a group. -
If you have a Colombian foreigner ID (cédula de extranjería), let the agency know before booking. This will help you avoid the additional COP $50,000 fee that National Parks charge non-Colombian nationals. 🥾
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Tours to Nevado Santa Isabel require a prior reservation.
During high season, spots can sell out up to three months in advance.
LODGINGS AT THE COFFEE AXIS 🏨
We are aware about the demand that implies to arrive in any city in Colombia and do not know where to lodge, where to park your car or motorcycle, if the place is safe, among others concerns.
Here we will show you some available options that we have chosen according to its location, besides, we have selected locations in safe zones that have parking lots. BUT, meanly, customer recommendations on the Booking platform in which you could make a safe and free reservation
NOTE: We made concessions and ended up receiving nothing in return. We just receive a short commission from Booking when you make a reservation through the links we share below. We do that in order to help you and make your trip more pleasant.
-> FURNISHED APARTMENTS (PEREIRA)
Those are located in a quiet zone of the city. The apartments have: parking lot, kitchen, microwave, fridge, Free Internet Connection, Smart TV, waitress service. Although this zone is near to the city, is a little sheltered from the stress of cars and crowds, you can find several accommodation options.
👉 Link para ver este apartamento en Booking
-> MORE LODGINGS OPTIONS (PEREIRA)
Here we are going to share the Booking link in which you could filter and search more apartments according to your travel budget.Recommendations to book a lodging: excellent comments from visitors, and the lodging has the same features mentioned on the booking platform
👉 Link to see more lodging options to make a reservation in Booking
-> THE COFFEE CLUB (MANIZALES)
This lodging has free Internet Connection, private parking lot, kitchen fully equipped with fridge, dinner room, living room, Smart TV with satellite channels, and a private shower. This lodging is located to 6.2 miles from the center of Manizales
👉 Link to see more lodging options to make a reservation in Booking
->MORE LODGING OPTIONS (MANIZALES)
Here we are going to share the Booking link in which you could filter and search more apartments according to your travel budget.Recommendations to book a lodging: excellent comments from visitors, and the lodging has the same features mentioned on the booking platform
👉 Link to see more lodging options to make a reservation in Booking in Manizales
This is the end of the Hiking Routes at the Coffee Axis post, do not forget to follow us on our social networks to know more places like we mentioned above, 👉 Instagram y Youtube.