LA MONSERRATE
HIKING IN THE CITY OF BOGOTÁ
La Monserrate is gem on the outskirts of Bogota. It is a church perched on a mountain roughly 500 m above the city, which itself is nestled at a 2600 m in the Andes.
With that said, make sure you are acclimated to the height for at least a day before you decide to hike up there. If you have only a little time you can take a cable car.
The hill is open 365 days a year, and there is always either cable car or funicular or both available for people who don’t feel safe walking.
GOING TO LA MONSERRATE BY CABEL CAR:
There are two different options to choose from when going up. Either you can go by Cable car or by Funicular. A funicular is like a twin but going straight uphill.
You can book tickets one-way only as well as two ways.
Tickets on Sun cost almost half the price than tickets from Mon-Sat.
Here is the official webpage of Cerro de Monserrate:
GOING UP BY FOOT - FREE OF CHARGE
If you are traveling on a Budget or really like to hike, this is the perfect option for you. Going up by foot is free. Be aware that the way is steep and has a lot of stairs. You will feel your workout the next day. We read different warnings ahead of our hike, that there are chiefs and pickpockets on the way. The city tries to secure it with police but they can#t be everywhere I guess. We also felt safe while hiking up but I want to make sure that you are warned not to bring all your valuables. I brought my Phone to take Pictures and videos along the way.
The trail is open from 5am till 1pm for people hiking up and until 4pm is the last possibility for people to start going down. The park will close at 5pm.
Now, if you're after that Insta-worthy sunset view from the mountaintop, I'd recommend taking the cable car down. And here's a little tip for you – there's a charming restaurant at the summit serving up some seriously delicious food. Perfect for a romantic date, I must say.
In a nutshell, La Monserrate is a must-visit, and you've got choices galore to get to the top. Whether you're cruising up in the cable car, opting for the funicular, or embracing the sweat with a hike, you're in for a treat. Just listen to your body, take your time, and soak in every moment of this magical experience. Enjoy your adventure up there!