Hiking Cascada Los Frailes from Pereira: 70-meter waterfall

A 70-meter waterfall hidden in native forest, reachable in one morning from Pereira

This guided hike from Pereira reaches Cascada Los Frailes, a 70-meter waterfall in the Otun Qumbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, 18 kilometers from the city. You start with hotel pickup, travel to the trailhead at La Florida, then walk six kilometers along a rustic mountain road through onion fields and medicinal plants before entering the forest reserve. A guide leads you along a marked trail with stops to explain the ecosystem, home to howler monkeys and native birds, before you arrive at the waterfall after about 30 minutes of forest walking.

The experience

The hike begins with pickup from your Pereira hotel after breakfast and a drive of just over an hour to La Florida, a small town where the trail starts. You'll have coffee and a snack there before setting out on the first leg: six kilometers along a rough mountain road that winds through the region's agricultural landscape. Onion fields, colorful flowers, and medicinal plants line the way. This section takes about 1.5 hours and introduces you to the area's farming traditions and natural diversity.

Once you reach the Otun Qumbaya nature reserve, the road ends and a well-marked forest path takes over. Your guide stops regularly to point out details of the ecosystem: howler monkeys (the reserve is one of the best spots in the region to see them), bird species, and native flora. After roughly 30 minutes of walking through dense native and reforested woodland, the trail opens onto Cascada Los Frailes: a 70-meter waterfall dropping through the heart of the reserve.

The full outing runs about six hours from pickup to return. An air-conditioned vehicle handles the transport, and entrance to the reserve plus snacks during the hike are included. Your guide speaks English or Spanish and can adjust the pace with regular stops, so the walk suits different fitness levels, though the route does involve sustained walking on uneven terrain.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to the Otun Qumbaya reserve.
• snacks during the hike.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport from your Pereira hotel and back.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by BnB Colombia Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared group hike with a live guide in English or Spanish, so you'll walk with other travelers. Choose it if you want a morning outing that combines farmland scenery, forest ecology and a major waterfall without needing to arrange your own transport or navigate the trail alone.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How far is Cascada Los Frailes from Pereira?

The waterfall is 18 kilometers from Pereira. The drive to the trailhead at La Florida takes just over an hour, then the hike itself covers six kilometers on the mountain road and forest trail combined.

What wildlife will I see on this hike?

The Otun Qumbaya reserve is home to howler monkeys and numerous bird species. Your guide will point out both during the forest section of the walk, and the reserve is considered one of the best spots in the region for observing howler monkeys.

What's included in the hike?

Entrance to the Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, snacks during the tour, and round-trip transport from your Pereira hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle are all included. Meals beyond the snacks are not provided.

How long does the hike take?

The total outing is about six hours from hotel pickup to return. The first section, six kilometers along the mountain road, takes around 1.5 hours, and the forest walk to the waterfall takes approximately 30 minutes, with guide stops in between.

Do I need to be very fit for this hike?

The hike suits all fitness levels and is not recommended only for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. The pace includes regular stops, and your guide can adjust the rhythm to match the group.