The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy General Info
Located in Boyaca, Colombia 400km (10 hours drive approximately) north east of Bogota the country capital. It has 31 peaks, ranging in elevation from 4800 to 5330 meters above sea level. Its privileged tropical setting make it extremely rich in flora and fauna, and has given origin to its claim to be the greenest high altitude mountain range in the world.
Glaciated peaks, enormous rock walls, moorland valleys and glacier lakes, all of them absolutely pristine, make the Sierra a paradise for climbers, trekkers and mountaineers alike. Being an isolated mountain range and, for many years, seldomly visited, it offers a unique mountain experience rarely found in the majority of mountains in the world. In El Cocuy it is still possible to experiment the solitude and greatness of high summits without the big crowds, excess of tents, garbage and all other effects of touristic overuse.
El Cocuy is an excelent place for people wishing to introduce themselves to mountaineering and climbing in the wilderness. It is possible to learn all the necessary techniques in a much less risky enviroment than that of other bigger mountain ranges, but at the same time to have a true adventure, as well as climbing and mountaineering challenges. The Sierra constitutes the greatest glacier mass in Colombia and it is specially apt to teach and learn mountaineering techniques. At the same time, for seasoned climbers El Cocuy also offers the, in these days very rare, opportunity of climbing virgin Big Walls which can be as high as 800 mts.
The Sierra goes from south to north, offering two distinct environments in the west and east. In the former we´ll find moorlands and most of the glaciers and snow. There are lots of lakes and crystaline creeks. It is possible, with some luck, to spot the andean condor. In the east we´ll be able to see the impressive eastern rock walls, the remote “El castillo” peak and a spectacular view of the “llanos orientales“, the vast plainlands east of the country. In the east the moorland vegetation is different and varied, and as the mountain goes all the way down to the plainlands it turns into a huge andean fog forest, inhabited by the spectacled bear.
Additionally, the region is of great cultural interest. The town of El Cocuy, has been chosen several times as the most beautiful town in Boyaca, and it is possible to see and interact with the traditional rural and “campesino” (peasant) colombian culture See the gallery.
A "tejo" match with locals is always a great way to finish a trip to the mountain. Just make sure you don't bet too much beer with them!!!!
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