Snow-capped mountains of Colombia

Colombia has glaciers just a few hours from its coffee farms. Locals call these peaks nevados, and most of them stand between 4,500 and 5,300 metres (14,800–17,400 ft) inside two protected areas: Los Nevados National Park, above the cities of Manizales, Pereira and Ibagué, and the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, further north in Boyacá.

These are not casual day walks. The altitude is the real difficulty: the trailheads themselves often sit higher than the summits of most European mountains, so you need to acclimatise before you climb, and several of these routes are only allowed with a certified guide. Park entry is regulated and the number of visitors per day is limited.

Each guide below has the practical details we would give a friend: how to reach the trailhead, what the park currently charges, how long the walk really takes, where to sleep the night before, and how to handle the altitude. If you are still choosing, start with the guide that matches the number of days you have.

A note on guides. We work with local guides who speak English. Hiring one is not only about safety on the mountain: it means you always have someone to ask, instead of trying to sort out directions, permits or weather in a language you do not speak.