Discovering Los Nevados National Natural Park
Los Nevados is one of theNational Natural Parksin Colombia and consists of a volcanic complex formed by the snow-capped peaks Nevado del Ruiz, Nevado de Santa Isabel, Nevado del Tolima and the paramillos of Cisne, Santa Rosa and Quindío. In the country’s Coffee Region, the Central Andes is home to 58,300 hectares (144,062 acres) of precious land with super páramo and páramo ecosystems, high Andean wetlands and Andean and high Andean forests. The park covers areas from 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to 5,321 m (17,457 ft) ASL – the height of Nevado del Ruiz. The second-highest volcano is Nevado del Tolima with 5,215 m (17,109 ft) and Nevado de Santa Isabel is third with 4,965 m (16,289 ft). The 3 paramillos range between 4,600 and 4,700 m (15,091-15,419 ft) ASL. Temperatures usually range between 3 °C (37.4 °F) and 14 °C (57.2 °F) with a characteristic cold climate. An issue to consider is that Colombia has lost 63% of its glaciers in 50 years, according to IDEAM. If this trend continues, there will be no glaciers in the country in some years, which is quite worrying. This is why Los Nevados National Park has an important mission to preserve 3 (Ruiz, Santa Isabel and Tolima) of the 6 glaciers left in Colombia. These provide drinking water to 38 municipalities in the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and Tolima and benefit over 3 million inhabitants of the Coffee Region. Its water spring Laguna de Otúnis the most important natural reservoir in the region, declared an internationally important Ramsar Convention wetland. Also, since these snowy mountains are actually volcanoes, natural hot springs can be found in several zones of the park. All of this makes Los Nevados a key point in nature conservation.How to get to Los Nevados
There is access from the departments of Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío and Tolima. You can download an electronic or printable map on the Parques Nacionales website*.
*Go to the section ‘How to get there’.
From Caldas
The road from Manizales to Bogota leads to the sector Brisas. From there, visitors can only access the Valle de las Tumbas sector (4,400 meters above sea level) which is 5 km away. If you plan to reach the snow, this is not the route to choose since Nevado del Ruiz’s volcanic activity is on YellowAlert (level 3). Make sure to always check the reports published by Servicio Geológico Colombiano regarding the activity of this volcano.
If your destination is the edge of the glacier in Nevado de Santa Isabel or the Otún Lagoon, access from Villamaría or Potosí, respectively.
From Risaralda
From Pereira, on the road to La Florida, you get to the hiking starting point leading to the Otún Lagoon. The hike takes 7 to 9 hours along a bridle path, and after the lagoon, you can continue to Nevado de Santa Isabel. Otherwise, from Santa Rosa de Cabal you can get to the Potosí sector and then walk 3 hours to the Otún lagoon.
From Quindio
The Cocora Valley can be accessed from the village of Salento, near Armenia. The wax palm valley is another hiking starting point that takes 9 to 10 hours to La Primavera sector and Romeral paramo. From there you can reach Nevado del Tolima and the Cañón hot springs or, heading towards the village El Bosque, the Otún lagoon and Nevado de Santa Isabel.
From Tolima
Starting from Ibagué by road you get to Juntas, where vehicles can no longer continue and the 10-hour trail to Cañón hot springs and Nevado del Tolima. A longer hike (trek) to the same destination is expected from the village La Cascada, near Ibagué – it can take 2 days.
What to do in Los Nevados NNP
Hiking and Trekking at Los Nevados
Trekking is clearly the #1 attraction of Los Nevados Park, with the possibility to climb to 2 of the snow-capped peaks (Santa Isabel and Tolima) or hike through paramos and lagoons. Nevado del Tolima Trek: The trek to the second-highest volcano of the park usually takes 4 days starting from Ibagué or the Cocora Valley in Salento. From the top, you can see the park and the Magdalena valley and be astonished by the beauty of the landscapes. This is one of the most demanding treks in Colombia because of its steep slopes, so you should be physically prepared to reach the snow peak. We, at Sula, have a trekking tour to Nevado del Tolimawhich will allow you to enjoy Los Nevados Park at its best. Nevado de Santa Isabel Trek: Getting to know the glacier of Nevado de Santa Isabel is a privilege since it has been a victim of deglaciation in recent years, passing from 1.9 km2 to 0.5 km2 in 10 years and it is foreseen that it will no longer exist in a decade. So, you should hike Santa Isabel while you can. As said before, you can reach this snowy mountain from several points including Villamaría and Potosí (Caldas), Pereira (Risaralda) or the Cocora Valley. It takes 1 or 2 days to the summit.
In the journey, at 3,950 m (12,959 ft) you find Laguna de Otún, which supplies Pereira aqueduct and is fed by the ice water flowing down Santa Isabel. The lagoon is surrounded by beautiful Frailejones (Espeletia) and shades of green that contrast with the crystalline blue of the water.
Day-trips to Los Nevados Park are available for those who think reaching the paramo is enough. For the others, multi-day trips are the way to go.
Wildlife observation: You can find mammals like the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), northern pudú (Pudu mephistophiles), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the little spotted cat (Leopardus tigrinus) and puma (Puma concolor). There are also at least 20 species of bats, including insectivores, frugivores, and nectarivores.
Birdwatching: You can visit the park for bird watching from different departments, especially Caldas and Tolima (see tour). On the side of Caldas there are several places with facilities for birdwatching, where it is possible to easily observe high mountain birds. On the Tolima side, it is possible to visit the Nevado from the town of Murillo. On this side, besides the observation of high mountain birds, it is possible to observe the vestiges of the famous Armero avalanche occurred in the 80’s. The following birds stand out: The Buffy helmetcrest (Oxypogon stuebeli), endemic to the region and unique in the world, the Rufous-fronted parakeet (Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons), Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), Brown-banded antpitta (Grallaria milleri), Andean Duck (Oxyura ferruginea), Paramo Tapaculo (Scytalopus opacus), Andean Lapwing (Vanellus resplendens) Golden-plumed parakeet (Leptosittaca branickii) among others.
Páramo Ecosystem: Ecology & Conservation
The páramo grasslands of Los Nevados, found between 3,200 m and 4,700 m elevation, represent one of Earth’s most specialized ecosystems. These tropical alpine environments exist only in the northern Andes, and Colombia holds roughly 50% of the world’s remaining páramo area. The park’s páramo supports an extraordinary level of endemism — studies estimate that up to 86% of páramo flowering plant species are found nowhere else. The most iconic páramo plant is the frailejón (Espeletia spp.), a slow-growing rosette plant that can take decades to reach full height and stores water in its woolly leaves. Frailejones act as biological sponges, capturing moisture from clouds and fog and releasing it gradually into streams and rivers — a process critical to the water supply of over 3 million people downstream. The park also harbors populations of the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), South America’s only bear species, and the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), classified as Endangered by the IUCN with fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining. Conservation threats to the páramo include agricultural encroachment (particularly potato cultivation and cattle grazing at high elevations), which compacts fragile soils and disrupts water retention. Climate change is pushing the tree line upward, compressing páramo habitat from below while glacial retreat eliminates high-altitude zones from above — a phenomenon scientists call the “páramo squeeze.” Protecting this ecosystem is essential not only for biodiversity but for the regional water security of Colombia’s Coffee Axis.Where to stay in Los Nevados NNP
There is no hotel in the park, but some Fincas (farmers’ houses) where you can sleep in basic dormitories or tents outside the house. Locals also offer you good meals and hot drinks. The one thing to consider is that most times you have to shower with cold water.Best time to visit Los Nevados NNP
It is recommended to visit Los Nevados National Park from January to February and from July to August since the weather is dry and less cloudy. This way you can avoid hiking muddy – and more dangerous, trails, while enjoying breathtaking views. However, paramo weather is unpredictable so you can have sun and then rain and fog. Beware of that.Entrance fees
The entrance fee to Los Nevados National Natural Park varies depending on the nationality and age of the visitors. Entrance fees are set by Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia and are updated periodically. The fees listed below were last published in 2020 — check the official park website for current pricing:- Colombians, resident foreigners and tourists from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru (ages 5 to 25): COP 8,500
- Colombians, resident foreigners and tourists from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru (over 25 years old): COP 16,500
- Non-resident foreigners (over 5 years old): COP 46,500.
- Children under 5 years old and Colombians over 65 years old have free entrance presenting their IDs.
- Additionally, depending on the vehicle you enter to the park in, you have a different fee:
- Car: COP 6,500
- Van (Colectivo): COP 19,000
- Bus: COP 38,000
- Motorcycles are not allowed
What you should consider when you visit Los Nevados Park
- Visitors must purchase an all-risk policy for entering and staying in the park.
- You must plan your visit to the park ahead of the intended date.
- You must be accompanied by an official guide of the National Park to enter the protected area.
- Remember that it is not allowed to enter the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano and don’t forget to check its status on the webpage of Servicio Geológico Colombiano.
- If you are camping in the park, make sure your equipment is suitable for high mountain environments.
- Wear cold weather, waterproof clothes in layers (so you can peel off when necessary). This includes hiking boots or rubber boots since the trails can be muddy.
- Use sunscreen! Even if you think you don’t need it because it is cloudy. Also, a pair of sunglasses doesn’t hurt.
- Bring enough water – at least 2 liters per person per day.
- Beware of altitude sickness! Hydration, sun protection and proper clothing, you need to take your time and keep your rhythm during the ascent. Regular rests and arriving in a high-altitude town some days before the trek are advised too for acclimatization.
- Due to physical demands and altitude, the hike is not recommended for people with physical disabilities, heart or respiratory problems.
2026 update: Los Nevados access, Nevado del Ruiz alert monitoring, and the páramo anchors
The single most important 2026 pre-trip check for Los Nevados: always verify the current Nevado del Ruiz volcanic alert level with Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) before booking. The SGC publishes live alert levels (Verde / Amarillo / Naranja / Rojo) and the park’s northern sector — Ruiz proper, Nevado de Santa Isabel — can close to visitors during elevated activity. Assuming green/yellow conditions, the park remains open to ecotourism with two anchor hikes for 2026: the ascent toward Nevado Santa Isabel (5,000 m) — Colombia’s most-accessible high-altitude hike — and the walk to Laguna del Otún, both crossing extensive frailejón fields (Espeletia). The Instituto Humboldt count for Colombia is 91-92 frailejón species as of 2026 — one of the world’s most concentrated diversity of the páramo emblem plant. Ley 1930 de 2018 is the current páramos protection framework: it bans mining and agroindustrial activities inside páramo boundaries and mandates an intercultural, ecosystem-based management approach.
The wildlife anchors for a 2026 Los Nevados trip. The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is Critically Endangered in Colombia — documented presence includes PNN Los Nevados, Puracé, Chingaza, Tamá and Galeras; a Cambridge citizen-science population estimate puts the national total at ~63 mature individuals (range 33-93), with broader ground surveys estimating 90-130. The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus / oso andino), IUCN Vulnerable, has a Colombian population of 3,000-6,000 individuals — roughly 25% of the global 13,000-18,000 — spread across the Andean cordilleras from 1,000 to 4,700 m. Also present in the park: the mountain tapir (Endangered — one of the world’s rarest large mammals), northern pudú and puma. Best trekking window is the drier December-February and July-August — cloud cover and afternoon rain are the constant limitations at altitude in the park.
References
- Album Jet Vive la Aventura Colombia – Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia, National Geographic, Compañía Nacional de Chocolates
- National Parks Website
- Servicio Geológico Colombiano
Sara Colmenares holds a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Ecology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and a Master’s degree in Botany from the same institution. Her doctoral research focused on palm ecology in the Atlantic Forest, supported by the Rufford Foundation conservation grant.
A published researcher in the Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology and a member of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC), Sara has presented her work at international conferences across Latin America and beyond. She was awarded the COLCIENCIAS “Virginia Gutiérrez de Pineda” fellowship, one of Colombia’s most competitive academic distinctions for young researchers.
Sara founded the Sula nature tourism brand in 2018, applying her scientific expertise to develop birding and wildlife experiences across Colombia’s six natural regions. Her fieldwork took her from the cloud forests of the Andes to the Amazon basin, the Pacific coast, and the plains of the Orinoquía. She combined deep ecological knowledge with firsthand experience to create content that is both scientifically accurate and practically useful for nature travelers.
She holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the National University of Colombia, where she also taught plant ecophysiology. She speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
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