PNN El Cocuy is CLOSED

Hi! I read the blog and it feels like the 3 or 6 day hikes are closed? So are there only day hikes possible at the moment? I wonder if it's worth going then.. Thanks!!

Hi everyone, I am heading to El Cocuy at the start of November/very end of October to do three days trekking and wondered if anyone else is going around the same time and would like to share the cost of a guide? Thanks, Joe, 25

Hi everyone, does anyone know if it is possible to climb to the top Concavo, Pan de Azucar at this moment?

I was passing the National Parks office last week so went in and asked the current situation. As I understand things, the temporary restriction on entry to the Protected Area was lifted last April. It is permitted to visit the Protected Area between 0500h and 1800h. It is permitted to ascend to the snowline (but no further) and visitors must start descending no later than 1300h. It is not permitted to spend the night. So, with respect to Pan de Azúcar: no - you cannot climb that far, since it's above the snowline (nor can you climb to El Pulpito, however you can get within 500m or so, since it's not far above the snowline).

So you have to be able to walk from the park gate at 0500h to the snowline below Pan de Azúcar/ El Pulpito and back to the park gate by 1800h, which is feasible, but challenging.

Hi I am planning a trip to Cocuy this week. Do you think it is worth a visit since some parts are still closed? As for me am just interested in a nice day trek or if possible a two day trek and stay overnight in a cabana?
also do you know if it is possible (and necessary?) to hire a guide for a day trek?
I did not bring any special gear, except for some good hiking shoes.
Thanks! Antoinet

You should hire a guide, in my view. It's not expensive, provides employment, which is sorely needed, and will give you the best opportunity to use your time wisely. It's not permitted to spend the night in the protected area, so you need to get to the entrance as early as you can to benefit from the day.

I think it's worth visiting, since the environment is still very attractive. However if you decide that it's not worth the travel for a day's walk, then an alternative is Chingaza National Park. This doesn't have the snowcapped peaks though (the nevados) - it's páramo, which is still a fascinating ecosystem. You need a park permit to visit Chingaza (look at the PNN website for details). The Nevado del Ruiz, near Manizales, does have permanent snow, as do other nevados in Colombia.

Thank you!! I decided to just go for it. Am bussing to Guican tomorrow and organize a dayhike with a guide from there. Will let you know how it worked out.

Hey everybody,

is anyone of you planning to go to the park within the next days? Is it still a safe area there after ELN agressions?
Would be nice to have a hiking mate for one or two days there. Please let me know if you are interested.

Greets
Max

Hello Max.

I was in the park a few days ago. I did the dayhike to the Grand laguna. It was beatiful!!

and yes it is perfectly safe at the moment. Though they only allow you to do dayhikes to 3 differents sites. But still those are beautiful.
You can easily arrive in Guican or Cocuy and arrange your hike with guide from there.
I stayed in Guican at Hostel Brisos Nevada and my guide was Sergio +57 322 3632899. A nice guy I would recommend.

Have fun!

So... is there any mountain that could be climbed? Ritacuba Blanco also closed?