El Cocuy National Natural Park

About the Park

El Cocuy National Natural Park protects Colombia's largest glacier surface alongside super-paramo, paramo, Andean forest, and eastern foothill rainforest. The park is open, but entry is limited to three authorized day trails and requires advance coordination, an approved guide or interpreter, accident and rescue insurance, registration, and visitor induction.

Access and altitude

Travel by bus or road to El Cocuy or Guican de la Sierra, then arrange local transport to the authorized trailhead. Acclimatize before the hike, carry the required cold-weather and sun-protection equipment, and descend immediately if altitude symptoms persist.

Choose a trail

Reserve Lagunillas-Pulpito del Diablo, Laguna Grande de la Sierra, or Ritacuba. These are regulated day hikes to the glacier edge: entering the glacier, camping, the Vuelta a la Sierra, and the eastern flank are not permitted visitor activities.

Before booking

Ask the park to confirm capacity and dates before paying. Reservations can be requested up to 90 days ahead; arrange an approved guide or interpreter, mandatory accident and rescue insurance, registration, induction, and the correct ticket for your trail.

Wildlife

Species recorded by official park sources include:

Conservation Highlights

• Colombia's largest glacier surface and an altitudinal corridor from rainforest to super-paramo
• Headwaters connected to the Arauca, Casanare, and Chicamocha river basins
• Sacred U'wa territory protected through cultural dialogue and shared conservation work

How to Get There

Travel by bus or road to El Cocuy or Guican de la Sierra, then arrange local transport to the authorized trailhead. Acclimatize before the hike, carry the required cold-weather and sun-protection equipment, and descend immediately if altitude symptoms persist.

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