wellness
Walking Trails Bogotá: Routes by Distance & Difficulty
Explore Bogotá's best graded walking trails through eastern hills and urban parks. Find routes suited to your fitness level, from Monserrate's steep ascent to Parque Simón Bolívar's lakeside loop.
How we reported this
The steep ascent along the Monserrate footpath draws hundreds of walkers each weekend who seek a clear way to measure effort against results.
Interest in these routes has grown because many residents now combine daily movement with the city's long-standing Ciclovía program that closes major roads every Sunday from 7am onward. This timing aligns with cooler morning temperatures in July and allows people to reach trails without competing with weekday traffic on Avenida Circunvalar.
Two locations stand out for consistent use. The path that begins at the base of Monserrate near Calle 21 leads walkers past stations of the cross before reaching the sanctuary at the summit. In Parque Simón Bolívar, the perimeter loop starting at the entrance on Carrera 60 passes the lake and connects to shorter side paths maintained by the Instituto Distrital de Recreación y Deporte.
Routes suited to shorter outings
Walkers new to the hills often choose the Monserrate route because it offers clear markers and frequent rest points. The path stays within the urban edge of La Candelaria and returns the same way, so no additional transport is required after descent. Those preferring flat ground stay on the Simón Bolívar loop, which passes the tennis courts and the main stadium before circling back to the same gate.
Longer climbs for regular hikers
Experienced participants extend their time on the eastern hills by following the trail that continues past the Monserrate church toward the Guadalupe shrine. This extension adds elevation and distance while remaining on maintained steps and gravel. In the same hills, segments of the Reserva Forestal Protectora Bosque Oriental de Bogotá open to the public on weekends and link to the main Monserrate path via side trails off Carrera 2 Este.
City records list regular maintenance dates for these paths, with crews clearing debris after heavy rains in April and May each year. Entry to the Monserrate walking route remains free, though the parallel funicular charges a variable fare posted at the lower station.
Anyone planning a first visit can check the IDRD website for weekend closures and start at the lower Monserrate entrance before 8am to avoid midday sun. Those who complete the climb several times a month report better endurance on flat city streets such as Carrera 7 during the workweek.