Cordillera Central · 3 days · 37.8 miles
Valle de Cocora to Juntas across the paramo in 3 days.
Watch the film · 741K viewsReal pages from the guide. Tap one to see it big.
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Get Day 1 freeMy GPS recording of 3 days on a relief map. The numbers are where each day starts; the red dot is the finish. The full GPX files and the day maps come with the guide.
Elevation, start to finish: highest 14,550 ft (4,435 m), lowest 6,200 ft (1,891 m).
In March 2021 I hiked alone across Los Nevados National Natural Park in Colombia: from Salento and the wax palms of the Valle de Cocora up through the cloud forest to a mountain farm, over the high paramo below the glacier of Nevado del Tolima to the hot springs at Termales del Cañón, and down to Juntas above Ibagué. It's the trip from my film Hiking Alone in Colombia. Since 2026 the park requires a registered guide, so this guide tells my crossing and how to do the same route now: my GPX files, maps and notes for all three days, the 2026 rules, the guide and the camps, the earthquake's effects, getting to Salento and out from Juntas, costs, weather, altitude and safety, and a trip sheet.
Watch the film on YouTube (741K views).
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It rained on all three days and it's near freezing on the paramo. Here's what I carried in 2021, what I'd take now, and what I filmed with.
From my film and photos. I have no full gear list for this trip.
My current kit for what this crossing needs.
What I filmed this trip with in 2021, from my photos' camera data. My setup is smaller now (below). Check the drone rules in Straight answers before you fly: the parks service allows drones only with a filming permit.
Since September 2026 I film with a smaller setup: the Pocket 4 and the Mic 3 on the trail, and the Mini 5 Pro in the air.
Everything I carry now: my gear page.
Free sample + packing list
Valle de Cocora to Finca La Primavera
The whole day page from the guide as a PDF, plus my camping packing list: the 42 things I carry, with a note on each. The PDF opens right away and both come by email. You'll also get my emails about new guides and trips, a few a year.
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I'm making guides for more of my hikes, and I host a group trip about once a year. Get an email when a new guide or trip is out. A few emails a year.