So You Want To Go on a Hike in Bogota?

A view from midway through the hike.

The most popular hikes are rated as hard on AllTrails. If you’ve used AllTrails you know it’s a big fat liar. If it says hard, it means the hike is extremely difficult. Monserrate was no exception but it was so fun and hard and completely worth it, if you’re able. 

The mountain hike to the left of Monserrate with the Christ the Redeemer statue is also hard + beautiful but requires a reservation and is only open from 5:00 am - 9:00 am. Which at first I thought was annoying but it is for your safety! The trail is subject to high amounts of robbery and the trail is very difficult, so the locals say. The city can only accommodate the extra police presence for a few hours in the morning. If you want to do that hike, make your reservation! 

Back to THE hike of Bogota: Montserrat. Things to keep in mind before hiking up: 

• Altitude! Bogota is one of the highest-elevated cities in the world. I would recommend adjusting to the altitude a bit before subjecting yourself to a very steep hike. 

• Dress for a hike. I think a lot of people go into the hike thinking it’ll be fun + easy. While it’s fun, it is certainly not easy. People were hiking up the mountain in cute dresses and skinny jeans. I felt so bad for them. 

• Bring cash! If you’re planning on grabbing a snack along the way or at the top you will need cash! 

• Cell phone service is in and out throughout the hike. It’s not a dangerous or lonely trail. I went on a Friday afternoon and there was a police presence, many other hikers both locals and tourists, even military, and stands along the way. Not a big deal, just something to know before you go! 

The trail is paved with cobblestone and stairs and signage along the way. All of the signs are in Spanish and have visual maps. 

All trails say the in + out hikes take just under three hours to complete which sounds about right. It took me about 90 minutes to hike with lots of breaks to catch my breath and enjoy the view. 

At the top with the city of Bogota behind me. :)

You can also take a cable car/funicular up or down the mountain! I hiked up the mountain and treated myself to a cable car ride down. I don’t think my legs could have made it through the hike back down without falling over myself. I was nervous to ride the cable car back down but it was an incredibly smooth ride. I waited about 20 minutes to board about a five-minute ride down the mountain. It reminds me of what it’s like to ride in a hot air balloon. They look small when they’re high up but when you’re in the actual cable car there’s 20 - 30 people. 

If you're not up for hiking, take the cable car up and back and enjoy what's at the top the view, the church, the little shops and vendors, and traditional Colombian food. It's worth going to the top whether you're hiking or riding up the mountain.

Find this hike on AllTrails.