After searching through multiple day-hike options near Bogotá, we landed on La Chorrera Waterfalls. At 590 meters/1,935 feet tall, this is Colombia’s tallest waterfall, and only a short bus drive into the Andes from the city. We’d heard the falls weren’t too touristy, which was exactly what we were looking for. This turned out to be true (at least when we went) – we only saw four other people on the trail, making it feel like undiscovered country.
Some of the online articles we read about the falls were a bit vague / confusing, so we put together this step-by-step guide on how to get there, what to look for, and what to expect. We hope this inspires more people to go and helps make the trek a bit easier!
The falls are about an hour and a half bus ride from Bogotá, so it’s smart to get an early start with plans to be on the bus by 10am at the latest, but ideally earlier. The bus you’re catching goes to Choachí, and the bus station can be found at the corner of Calle 6 and Carrera 14. It’s right next to a police station, across Carrera 14 from the park. Here’s a map and some photos to help you find it:
There are two companies that run regular service to Choachi: Transoriente and Cootransfómeque. Either are fine and both will run about $25,000 Pesos or $8 USD round trip per person. Helpful hint: when you get on the bus tell the driver you’re going to “La Chorrera Cascada” and not all the way to Choachí. There’s not a designated stop for the falls, it’s more of a ditch they let you off in, so if you don’t do this you’ll end up going way too far. Also, if you’ve never been on a South American bus before it’s quite an experience – hold on to your hat!
Once off the bus you’ll see a big sign pointing to the left for the waterfalls; walk a little bit past this sign and you’ll see another sign pointing you down a road – take that road.
The walk to the park is a bit more than 3 miles down this road, and took us 50 minutes to hike. It winds through some beautiful farmland and we encountered lots of dogs, cows, roosters, kids, and some farmers – all of whom were very friendly. Don’t get too worried if you’ve been walking for a while – it takes longer than you’d think. You’ll see a few “La Chorerra” signs along the way to reassure you that you haven’t ventured off the path, but the signage is pretty sporadic.
Once you get to the park you’ll be asked to pay an entrance fee and get a wristband to prove that you’ve paid. We paid $15,000 Pesos each ($5 US) and opted not to get a tour guide, which was an extra $10,000 Pesos. The paths are well-marked and we imagine the guide wouldn’t have spoken much English, so that worked out for us.
About 10-15 minutes into the park you’ll get to El Chiflon falls, which are beautiful in their own right but are not to be confused with La Chorrera (John originally thought this was it and thought “we walked 3 miles for THIS?!”). There are trails that will take you to the base of the falls as well as behind and above them and they’re all great to explore. This is also a perfect spot for lunch; the park has a pavilion set up with tables and chairs and we ate the sandwiches we brought here.
Now on to the main attraction! La Chorrera is about 2 miles from the entrance of the park. The path takes you through cattle pastures as well as through thick jungles with bubbling streams. The landscape is beautiful, luscious, green….and wet. Oh, yeah, that reminds us: bring a rain coat! Since you’re hiking through clouded forests there is no lack of moisture and a good rain jacket goes a long way.
As you get closer to the falls you’ll (hopefully) be treated to a few glimpses of them in their entirety. It can get pretty cloudy up here, but have some patience and hopefully the clouds will part to reveal their grandeur. The trail then takes you all the way to the base of the falls where you can watch the water pour into the stream below. From here it isn’t possible to see the source (I mean, they’re REALLY tall!), but seeing all that water coming down the cliff is pretty awe-inspiring.
After enjoying the falls, the trail loops around to take you out a slightly different way than you came in. Don’t worry, it eventually merges with the original trail you were on, taking you back to the entrance of the park. If you grow weary on the way back there are a few places to grab a bite, water, or better yet: beers.
To catch the bus back to Bogotá just head back up the path the way you came and wait on the side of the road – near where you started, but in the opposite direction – to get on a bus heading back to the city. You’ll just need to flag the bus down when you see it – and pray that there’s a seat (if not, you can stand). Lucky for you there’s a small bar here where you can relax and sip an Aguila while you wait.
A few tips to make your hike even more successful:
- You’re hiking at elevation so if you just arrived in Bogotá it may be best to wait a day or two until you acclimate to the elevation. Bogotá is at 8,660 feet and this hike is above that elevation.
- Wear hiking boots, you’ll be trekking through some steep, slippery, and rocky terrain; if you’re shoes don’t have traction you’ll likely slip which is no bueno.
- We’ll say it again, bring a rain-coat! This is a wet adventure, be prepared.
- Bring water and food. You’ll be hiking about 10 miles and for about 4-5 hours so stay hydrated and pack a lunch/snack.
Happy travels!
Scott and John
The Line Trek
Auntie says
Another fun adventure I to take with you! Enjoying the heck out of it – you! You both look happy and that makes me happy! Love you!
Mom says
I feel the same as you, like I’m on the adventures with them!
Faiz says
Thanks guys for step by step guide and pictures added which helps alot for the person who doesn’t speak locally. Have a safe and happy journey and stay more happy and healthy. Regards Faiz
jude wilhelm says
wow….i felt as if i hiked it with u…it is awesome
Simon Smidt says
We have done the trip today, 6 years since you wrote this blog. A lot has changed since 🙄. We only based our trip on your story and were fully prepared with rain coats, lots of water and food. 🤪 Six years later this attraction sadly has become a tourist trap 😢. Leaving the bus there is already a local waiting to bring you 5 km to the entrance. We declined and had a nice hilly walk. During the 5km there are many small shops, and the entrance has become, more or less, the entrance of an amusement park… Price has increased as well, and you can choose from 4 different packages 😭
Cheapest package is 40.000 COP, but whitout the rugsack it is 35k, which we took. During the 2,5 km hike to the cascade there are 5 places where you can buy drinks and food. Despite this it is still worth it, though.
Thomas Espeute says
Many great tips. Thank you guys!
thelinetrek says
Glad we could help out! The waterfalls are so beautiful and it seems like no one goes there!
Geri says
Thanks so much for this post! We followed these instructions which made everything a lot easier, was an amazing hike! 🙂
thelinetrek says
So glad you enjoyed it! Surprising more people don’t do it!
Aaron says
Thank you – we followed your instructions yesterday, was a beautiful hike. Prices are still the same.
thelinetrek says
Glad we can help and glad everything is still the same!
Eric says
Ay thank you for this ! I’m sitting here in Bogota and was curious how to get here easily and without exorbitant tourist package.
thelinetrek says
Glad we could help!
Lea Louise says
This is so helpful! It’s our first time in Southamerica so my boyfriend and I were really worried about finding aour way around. This helped and reassured us! Thank you so much
thelinetrek says
You’re welcome! Thanks for the kind words and so happy we could help… Happy Travels!
Udit Sharma says
Thanks a lot for this post…I followed your way and it was really economical and the best way to reach there
thelinetrek says
Glad we could help!
Leah says
Looking to do this hike in early March 2020. If anyone has completed the trek since the last comment, please send any pertinent updates! Thanks for this post. Cheers!!
Alicia says
I haven’t done the hike yet, but was wondering if you had?? O am planning to do it in the next few day so any info would be helpful :)!
Jeffrey K. Kunz says
On the last of our days in Bogota (24 Ma 2021), we hired a “Colombian Buddy” to take us to the La Chorrera Waterfalls. So, so worthwhile.
The lower El Chiflon waterfalls were worthwhile on this cloudy day.
After coming off the base, on slick trails (bring non-slick walking/running/hiking shoes for the 5K RT), we had a nice lunch of pollo and fish. Wonderful view from the top of the cafe as the clouds started to move out.
I highly recommend this “experience.”
Allison Ramirez says
Soo great to find this guide. I will be in Colombia in February and March and was wondering what hikes besides Monserrate were close to Bogota. This looks awesome and your explanation on how to explore it is great. I am going alone, I hope someone will want to join me once there but, do you think it would be dangerous for a female to do this solo?
Bridget says
I would like to know this as well. In the same situation, thanks!