Thewesternprovinceblog

Hola Todos, for this blog I will talk about the main attraction of Salento, the famous Valle de Cocora. Today I decided to hike this place. So this morning I initially didn’t plan to go but as for no real reason I was up at 0630 today I decided to force myself out of bed and go get an early jeep to the valley.

Same story as last time, rock up get your ticket and your off. This time I was stood on the back hanging on the railings. This way is probably the most fun way to go as you can see everything and get the fresh morning breeze in your face to wake you up.

We soon arrive and off I go to the trail. Starting off you walk up a road until you come to a sort of farm house where you pay the entrance fee of about £6 and in you go. As you enter you are greeted by 60+ meter high palms, which are a special species native to that valley, don’t ask me the name though. 

Next it is a climb uphill and this is a long climb up a strep dirt track, I stop several times to catch my breath and admire the view on the way up. There are two viewpoints each about 1/3 and 2/3 up. It is a spectacular view of the valley from there.

Continuing walking up I end up meeting some English kids doing the same thing and hang with them up to the finca at the top of the trail before descending into the narrow passageway which the river flows down. 

You have to watch your step down here, especially in my case as my boots are a bit old and the grips aren’t as good as they used to be. I end up getting left behind that group I was with but didn’t bother me, was taking it all in. Once your in the valley proper you come to a crossroads, one takes you on a trail where you can go birdwatching but adds another 10k’s on to the hike, or you take the passage back which is another 4/5k hike. I went for the latter.

The passage back kind of reminded me of the Mazca hike I did back in Tenerife many years ago as your hiking through a narrow passage and have to cross over the river several times using these wooden bridges with planks that don’t look too sturdy. It was a proper adventure getting back to base camp.

After you pass through the jungle your back out on a dirt path that is very uneven and muddy in places and it still takes the better part of an hour to get back, oh and just to make you work for it there’s one last big uphill stretch up a road at the end to get the calves burning. 

Once at the top I am able to get on the half 1 Willy Jeep back to town. Once again I’m hanging off the back. Once back in town I treat myself to a well earned post hike pint and some lunch. Lovelllyyyy!!! 

What a good day this has been. After this I decide I am going to stay another 2 days as I had some business I had to sort out with family. 

Later that evening I head to the Viajero again and end up watching the UFC with some lads. It was mostly Latinos Vs Russians and some excellent entertainment……until 3 girls made them switch it off right before the final fight because karaoke night…..booooo! Oh well that was that so went for a wander then turned in fairly early.

I will skip over the next 2 days as it was just a combination of rest and various bits of admin to take care of.

Catch you next in Cali! The capital of Salsa💃💃💃