Valle de Cocora and the Coffee Cultural Landscape

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Coffee Cultural Landscape Of Colombia (2011), Covering Coffee Growing Hills And Towns Across Quindio, Caldas, Risaralda And Valle Del Cauca. Valle De Cocora Holds The Quindio Wax Palm, Colombia'S National Tree And The Tallest Palm In The World. · Salento, Quindio

Valle de Cocora is a cloud-forest valley about 11 km above the small coffee town of Salento, famous for the Quindio wax palm, Colombia's national tree and the tallest palm in the world, rising 40 to 60 metres out of green pasture. It is the best-known corner of the Coffee Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spreads across Quindio, Caldas, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca, where steep hills, small family farms and bright towns still run on coffee. Most visitors walk the loop of about 5 to 6 hours through forest to a hummingbird house and back to the palms. The scene is genuinely striking, but it is also busy at weekends, and the weather turns quickly. Pair the walk with a coffee farm visit and a couple of nights in Salento. Do not expect solitude on a sunny Sunday, and do not expect views once the cloud comes in; the early hours are when the valley looks its best, and the rest of the day is for coffee and rest.

Cloud-forest valley of towering wax palms about 11 km east of Salento, in the coffee hills of the Eje Cafetero, Salento, Quindio, Colombia

The valley is open during daylight and there is no gate time as such. Willys jeeps run from the Salento plaza to the trailhead from early morning through the day and leave when full. A small entry fee may apply at the start, and the Acaime hummingbird house and Finca la Montana charge a modest charge that often includes a hot drink. Coffee farms and tours run on their own schedules, often a morning and an afternoon slot, so confirm with the finca. Go early: the cloud closes in by midday, and the trail is not meant to be walked after dark.

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