A Complete Guide to Hiking Monserrate in Bogotá

If you want the best views of Bogotá, Colombia, you better work. Hiking up Monserrate is the best way to get a bird’s-eye-view of the city’s sprawling landscape.

While a funicular will take you up there with much less effort, you’ll miss quite a bit of fun along the way. I’m talking about donkeys but also puppies and high-altitude tchotchkes. 

I swear it’s all more exciting than I’m even describing it. If you’re able, lace up those hiking shoes and hit the pavement for some of the best hiking in Bogotá.

Is hiking Monserrate worth it?

Hiking Monserrate is definitely worth it. The journey to the top is a mix of a physical challenge with cultural immersion in a South American city that is so often misunderstood.

Seriously, I’d like to become Bogotá’s personal hype squad if possible.

This Monserrate hike allows the city to reveal itself bit by bit. You’ll see its grit set against the backdrop of the Andes, and it’s pretty powerful stuff. 

At the peak, you’ll get to visit the Sanctuary of Monserrate, a mountaintop church that speaks to the resilience of the Colombian people. Many of the local people aren’t here for a day trip up a mountain, but to visit this place for spiritual reflection.

How high is Monserrate?

Mount Monserrate sits at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Getting there depends on your route, but the most popular way involves over 1,600 steps. Take it slow and try not to think about it too much.

How long does it take to climb Monserrate?

It takes at least an hour to climb Monserrate. This is a challenging hike. You’ll tackle over 2,800 feet of elevation gain over just 3.3 miles round-trip.

Exactly how hard it is depends on you. Your fitness level and pace matter, but this is also a high-altitude hike. 

This was our third day in Bogotá, and I was still feeling queasy. Take your time and don’t try to show off like the locals in bike shorts who have likely made many trips up this mountain. Start early in the morning on warm-weather days and bring plenty of water. 

Note: The trail opens by 5am but  is closed after 1pm for safety reasons. The funicular operates later, but expect long lines by midday.

The descent will be much faster, but you should budget at least three hours for the full experience. You’ll want lots of photo stops along the way and at the top, along with potential refreshments. 

Is climbing Monserrate safe?

It is safe to hike Monserrate. Safety in Bogotá in general has developed a bad reputation, but we never felt unsafe on our trek up the mountain. 

You will see police and security guards along the path all the way up but don’t feel unsettled by that. They’re here to protect you from potential pickpockets and act as a deterrent until 1pm when the trail closes to hikers. 

The path was also quite crowded on our visit, so you never feel as if you’re hiking alone. Crowds can often mean more potential for petty crime, but there was never a moment where we had to get close to other hikers along a narrow path. 

READ MORE: There are always characters on trails. Check out my guide to the types of hikers you can expect while you’re adventuring.

I’d say the biggest worry for hikers on this one is the physicality involved. This is a fairly demanding hike at elevation, so it’s not recommended for beginners. 

Note: I wouldn’t do this one in inclement weather, either. It’s all paved, so could get slick in steep sections.

What to Expect on the Monserrate Trail

Hiking Monserrate is popular for locals and visitors alike for the payoff at the top, but it’s also a fun way to immerse yourself in Colombian culture.

You’ll see plenty of fitness buffs jogging up the hill without a care in the world, but keep your eyes peeled for critters along the way, too. 

Fun fact: You’ll share the trail with donkeys, pups, hummingbirds, and chickens, and they’re all very cute.

I imagine the donkeys are there to rescue tourists who bit off more than they can chew and have some money to throw at an easier way up. I just admired how majestic they looked up there.

You’ll also encounter shops along the way selling snacks and water in case you forgot your own. Many of them boast some pretty grand views along the way, so feel free to stop and take it all in if you need a breather.

I took lots of breathers. 

READ MORE: If you’re in Colombia for intriguing sights, don’t miss the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá.

What is on top of Monserrate?

On top of Monserrate, you’ll be treated to an impressive view of the city below. For locals, the Sanctuary of Monserrate at the top is arguably more important than all of that. 

This is where you’ll find El Señor Caído, or the shrine to The Fallen Lord, a statue that represents an important religious encounter.

The church is why so many devotees make the trek up the hill on holy days and why Sunday is such a popular time to summit Monserrate.

If you worked up an appetite and ignored the vendors along the way, there’s a restaurant at the top of the mountain, too. We didn’t indulge in the Restaurante Casa Santa Clara, but I’ve read that it’s a decent stop for Colombian snacks. You’ll find shops up here, too.

Interesting Facts About Monserrate

Oh, you like fun facts, do you? Here are a few more interesting things to know about Monserrate:

• Monserrate is named after the Barcelona mountain with a similar name: Montserrat. That one is home to an ancient monastery, so the vibes fit.
• The church has been at the top since the 17th century, but it was a religious retreat before then used by the Cofradia de la Vera Cruz, or the Brotherhood of Vera Cruz.
• Before then, the mountaintop was sacred to the indigenous Muisca because the sun rose behind it. This continued until years of Spanish invasion and colonization.
• The Muisca people called the mountain “grandmother’s foot.” I have no idea why, and neither does the internet, but it’s related to their understanding of astronomy.
• Inclement weather is dangerous in these parts. The climb to the top has undergone years of recovery following wildfires and mudslides.

How to Get to Monserrate in Bogotá

To get to Monserrate in Bogotá, you need to get to the base of the mountain, first. We took an Uber from our hotel in Zona Rosa without incident.

It’s worth mentioning here that Uber operates within a gray area in Colombia. While the courts ruled that ride-sharing services were illegal in Colombia in 2020, Uber continues to operate as a car service, instead, a form of transport allowed in Colombia. 

It feels sketchy until you realize how easy, convenient, and cheap it is to order an Uber over taxi services. There’s zero negotiating compared to cabs, something I hate in big cities across South America. 

That all said, I’d still avoid taking an Uber to or from the airport. That’s where you’ll see most of the city’s enforcement efforts against rideshare services.

Fun fact: Most hotels will offer an affordable car service to get you there or pick you up at the start of your journey.

Once you’re at the hike’s starting point, you have options. I’ve already mentioned this in passing, but you can take a funicular or cable car from Carrera 2 up to the top if you’re not interested in walking or hiking. The funicular ride is seven minutes long.

Tickets are available online ahead of your trip for a few dollars per person on all days but Sundays. (You’ll avoid lines at the ticket booth that way.) Sunday tickets are a little less expensive to account for the pilgrimage aspects of travel up the mountain.

I’d highly recommend hiking the urban trail all the way up the mountain as an alternative. The hike is all self-guided, so you can go at your own pace.

When to Climb Monserrate

You should go to Monserrate early in the morning if you plan on hiking to the top.

We completed the hike on a Friday morning and didn’t feel too bad as far as crowds. This trail gets super crowded on weekends, and Sundays are slammed thanks to church services at the chapel at the top.

As far as seasons, Bogotá is cool and dry for much of the year because it sits at elevation. April, May, September, and October are generally the wettest months in Colombia.

Where to Stay in Bogotá

If you’re looking for the best area to stay while in Bogotá, I’d highly recommend Zona Rosa. We stayed at the GHL Hotel Hamilton and it was great for proximity to restaurants, nightlife, and accessibility to transportation.

We felt safe there, too, which is something I just can’t say about the city’s main tourist center after dark.

Use the map below to browse our preferred neighborhood:

Cerro de Monserrate is an essential stop in Bogotá.

Monserrate is popular for its views of the city and spiritual significance. It’s also a popular fitness route for locals looking for a challenging but rewarding hike.

While once is enough for me, I’m so glad we made time for a date with Monserrate during our trip to Bogotá. Those views were truly breathtaking, and I don’t think it was just the altitude.

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