Montane Hike in Guatapé: Secrets of the Cloud Forest

4.9(23 reviews of Remote Guatapé)3h 30mTours & ActivitiesRNT 172321

Hikers on a trail through the green cloud forest above Guatapé

Summit view over the islands of Guatapé Lake and El Peñol Rock

Narrow forest path lined with tree ferns in Guatapé

Hiker deep in the dense cloud forest vegetation of Guatapé

Rocky forest trail among ferns and moss in the mountains of Guatapé

A slow guided hike into the high montane forest of Guatapé, among orchids, bromeliads, tree ferns and birds, to a summit viewpoint over the whole town and the lake. For nature lovers and photographers.

About this experience

What's Included?

A local guide from Montano for the whole hike (one guide for every 8 people).
Nature interpretation along the way: native plants, birds and the forest's water.
A stop at a mountain spring, to understand where Guatapé's water comes from.
Start and finish at Montano, in the town of Guatapé.

Itinerary

Meet at Montano, in town, and head for the foot of the mountain.
Into the cloud forest: the high band of montane forest, where the damp air brings bromeliads, orchids, tree ferns and native birds. The pace is very slow, to look closely and take photos.
The spring: a talk beside a source of water about why the small watersheds above Guatapé need protecting.
The summit viewpoint: an open view over the whole town of Guatapé and much of the lake.
Back around the loop to Montano.

Duration

About 3 hours and a half, with 5 km of walking.

Difficulty Level

Easy, at a slow pace. For curious beginners, landscape photographers and anyone who likes to walk without hurrying.

What to Bring?

Closed shoes with good grip (trail shoes or boots).
Comfortable clothes, long trousers if you can.
A rain jacket or poncho: the cloud forest is damp.
A cap and sunscreen for the viewpoint.
Your own reusable water bottle.
Binoculars or a camera, if you have them.

What to Avoid?

Sandals or smooth-soled shoes: the forest floor is often wet.
Picking plants or flowers: the orchids and bromeliads stay where they are.
Leaving anything behind, or loud music: the birds go quiet.

Good to Know

Departures every day from 6am to 1pm, every 30 minutes. Birds are most active in the morning.
The guides are locals who speak very basic English: this is a guided walk, not a tour narrated in English.
The price is per person, for 2 people or more; groups of 6 or more pay less each, and groups of 12 or more even less.
If you don't start or finish at Montano, add the moto chiva: it picks you up or drops you off in town (up to 3 people per moto chiva).
Book by 5pm the day before.
Want more birds? Read about the birdwatching hikes around Guatapé.

Make the most of Guatapé

Memory trail and viewpoint hike: the easiest route, with a coffee at the top.
Eagle viewpoint hike: the longest route, to one of the highest viewpoints in Guatapé.
Birdwatching in Guatapé: a dawn outing with a bird guide, for those who want to see more species.

What's included

Local guide for the whole hike
Nature interpretation: plants, birds and water
Stop at a mountain spring and a summit viewpoint

Not included

Transport to Guatapé
Moto chiva to or from the start (optional extra)
Food
Tips

What you need to know

Closed shoes with good grip
Guides speak very basic English
From 2 people; up to 32 per booking
Book by 5pm the day before

Meeting point

We send you the exact spot, with its map and directions, once your booking is confirmed.

4.9 · 23 reviews of Remote Guatapé

Across everything we run, on Google, GetYourGuide and Tripadvisor.

We had an excellent experience with Guatape Tours! We booked a sprinter van with them for 12 of us, which was super clean, very comfortable and with air conditioning, to go from Medellin to Guatape and back later that same day. Our driver Christian was wonderful. He was on time, knowledgeable about the area and activities and very friendly. He drove us to hike La Piedra del Penol and then recommended an excellent place for lunch afterwards which he took us too. Afterwards he dropped us off near the malecón to walk and tour the town. It was a great day trip and I appreciated Guatape Tours checking in with me throughout the day and even before to make sure that everything was going smoothly. I highly recommend booking any trip with them!
Jessica Z.on Google
*This is a late post - my friend and I went in August of 2025. The Guatape River and Waterfalls tour was the best excursion of my LIFE! Honestly, one of my favorite days I’ve ever had. Camilo brought my friend and me to a quiet and secluded area of a river outside Guatape, where there was a beautiful blue green swimming hole under a waterfall. As my friend and I started exploring the river, he set up a gorgeous brunch for us - sandwiches from a local shop, coffee, mimosas. He also set up chairs, mats to lay on in the sun, an umbrella, and binoculars for birdwatching. It was PARADISE. He told us he’d take some pictures of us enjoying the river so we wouldn’t have to worry about capturing the moment. she told us he’d be back in a few hours, and when he returned, he asked if we’d like to stay longer or wanted to go. We happily stayed. If I lived there, I would go there every day. Thank you Camilo!!
Kara C.on Google

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All photos

Wild blackberries among ferns on the cloud forest trail

Hiker walking towards the summit under a blue sky in Guatapé

Frequently asked questions

What is a cloud forest?

The high band of montane forest, where clouds and moisture settle. That damp air is why there are so many orchids, bromeliads, mosses and tree ferns.

Will we see birds?

Often, yes, especially on the earliest departures. It's a nature walk, not a birding outing: for that, there's our birdwatching tour.

Do I need to be fit?

No. It's longer than the memory trail but the pace is very slow, with many stops.

Where do we meet?

At Montano, Carrera 27A #30-71, in the town of Guatapé.

Do the guides speak English?

Only very basic English. They're local guides who know the forest; if you need a full explanation in English, tell us when you book.

What if it rains?

Some mist and light rain are part of a cloud forest. If heavy rain means the hike cannot go ahead, we move it to another date or time at no cost; the money is not refunded.

Which of the three hikes should I choose?

This one if you love plants, birds and photos. The memory trail if you want the easiest walk, with a coffee at the top; the Eagle route if you want the longest walk and the biggest view.