Bogotá Chicaque Park: Guided Forest Hike with Pickup

Summary

Waking up with the clouds in Chicaque’s high forests

Step into Bogotá’s cloud forests on a guided hike through Chicaque Park: descend misty trails among giant ferns, pause at sweeping lookouts like Rock Pick, visit a hidden mountain waterfall, then rest at a cozy lodge with optional local lunch before tackling the climb back up — an experience that lingers long after your boots are clean.

What’s the experience like?

It’s still half-dark when we pile into the van outside El Dorado Plaza, clutching coffee cups and blinking at the city lights. Our guide, Andrés, is already cracking jokes in Spanish and English — I catch maybe half of it, but his laugh is contagious. The drive south out of Bogotá feels like leaving behind another world; Soacha’s early morning bustle gives way to green hills and then suddenly, mist everywhere. By the time we reach San Antonio, my shoes are damp from the grass and I’m wide awake.

We stretch under trees that drip with dew, and then start down this winding trail into Chicaque Natural Park. The air smells like wet earth and eucalyptus — honestly, it’s kind of magical how quiet it gets except for birds calling somewhere above us. Andrés points out a tiny emerald hummingbird (I forget the name) darting between flowers. I try to take a photo but just end up laughing at my blurry attempt. Two kilometers downhill doesn’t sound like much until you’re actually doing it; my knees notice every step but I don’t really mind because there’s moss everywhere and these huge ferns brushing your arms as you pass.

The Rock Pick lookout appears out of nowhere — one minute you’re surrounded by trees, next thing you know there’s this open view with clouds drifting below us. It’s not even 10am but I feel like I’ve been awake forever (in a good way). Down at the restaurant-lodge, we stop for hot chocolate and just sit for a bit watching other hikers come in muddy and grinning. Some people are already ordering lunch but Andrés says we’ll see the waterfall first.

The path to the waterfall is slick with stones — someone slips and laughs it off, which makes me relax about my own clumsy steps. The water crashes down from so high up you can barely see where it starts; spray on my face feels cold and clean after all that hiking. On the way back to the lodge, some folks peel off for lunch (the trout smells amazing), but I just want to sit outside for a while longer before facing that uphill climb again.

The last stretch back up is no joke — legs burning, lungs working overtime — but Andrés keeps everyone moving with stories about old legends from these mountains. There’s an option to take a jeep if you’re done walking (tempting), but most of us stick it out together. When we finally reach the entrance again, muddy boots and all, I realize how quiet my mind feels compared to when we started out. That view from Rock Pick still pops into my head sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hike Chicaque Natural Park

• Hike natural park Chicaque

Top questions

How long is the hike in Chicaque Park?

The main route covers about 2 km downhill to the lodge area plus additional walking to viewpoints and waterfalls; returning uphill takes extra time.

Is transportation from Bogotá included?

Yes, private transportation from El Dorado Plaza in Bogotá is included in your day trip booking.

Can I buy lunch during the tour?

You have the option to purchase a typical lunch at the park’s restaurant-lodge after visiting the waterfall.

Is there an easier way back up besides hiking?

You can pay extra for a jeep ride from the lodge back up to the park entrance if you prefer not to hike uphill.

Are guides fluent in English?

Your local guide speaks both Spanish and English during the tour.

What should I bring for this hike?

Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring layers; mornings can be damp and cool in Chicaque Park near Bogotá.

What’s included

Your day includes private pickup from Bogotá at El Dorado Plaza, all transportation fees into Chicaque Natural Park, guidance throughout by a local bilingual guide who knows every twist of these trails, plus coffee or tea along the way — with time to relax or buy lunch at the rustic lodge before heading back up together.