If you are looking for a jungle-like feeling, you don’t have to venture far from Bogotá. Starting in Puerto Araujo, just an hour away from the Colombian capital, the Camino Real de Tena leads you through dense lush forest with pleasant temperatures around 24°C (75°F). This makes the Camino Real hike a great off-the-beaten-path adventure easily doable in a day trip from Bogotá.
For me, the hike along the Camino Real de Tena is one of the best hikes near Bogotá. However, I have to admit that I have a very close relationship with the forest, as I grew up next to one, spending my childhood and youth roaming the woods. So I may not be unbiased in this respect.
Though the name “Royal Trail of Tena” refers to its use during colonial times, this ancient path was originally laid out by the Muisca people to trade with other indigenous peoples of the region. In 1772 José Celestino Mutis started the famous Royal Botanical Expedition along the Camino Real, making several important discoveries of medical plants.
The trail leads you through dense cloud forest and mosses, past the beautiful creek La Honda, the 60 meter high waterfall El Tambo and the smaller San Carlos. The area’s abundant flora and fauna includes butterflies, endemic birds and medical plants, orchids, armadillos and more.
If you’re into urbexing and “lost places,” the Tena hiking trail offers some hidden treasures, with several abandoned and forgotten buildings immersed in nature. It’s advisable to go with a local guide who can lead you to these fascinating spots, as they are well-hidden.
As you approach Tena you will also pass Fincas and coffee farms. Tena itself is a cute, peaceful little village where you can have a tasty lunch (menu del día) at one of the local restaurants for around 15.000 COP.
Hike details:
Photo by Travelhapp, Camino Real de Tena hike near Bogotá
Photo by Travelhapp, Camino Real de Tena path
Before starting your day trip, check the weather conditions since it can get quite muddy after the rain.
In Bogotá get off close to the pedestrian bridge Puente Peatonal de La 13, where Avenida Calle 17 meets Carrera 86. Walk a little bit towards the northwest on Avenida Calle 17 (which locals, for reasons mysterious to me, refer to as “La 13”) until you find a bus stop on the right side. Watch out for a bus that says “La Mesa” and hop on.
If you go to the bus stop by taxi, tell the driver you want to go to “La 13 con Cali” to take the bus to “La Mesa”. “La 13” is referring to Avenida Calle 17, as you already know, and “Cali” to Avenida Carrera 86.
Hop off the bus at the restaurant at Puerto Araujo. The hike starts close to the restaurant and goes downhill towards Tena. You may want to ask for “Camino Real de Tena” at the restaurant. Canal Viajero’s YouTube video (below) also shows how to get to the starting point and gives a good impression of the trail and hike in general. (The video features some explanations in Spanish but mostly lets the images speak for themselves.)
In order to get back to Bogota from Tena after your hike, first take the bus to La Mesa and then take a bus to Bogota.
Impression of Camino Real de Tena, Canal Viajero on YouTube (in Spanish)
Though it’s very easy to get to the starting point of this hike by public transport, we would recommend to do this beautiful hike in a group rather than alone, best with a local guide or a Bogota tour company.
Most of the hike leads through dense forest and there are not a lot of people around, especially on weekdays. As you approach the village of Tena towards the end of the hike, you may encounter more hikers. Join our Colombia Solo Travelers Facebook Group to find other travelers to team up with and check our Experiences section for local guides.
Photo by Travelhapp, Camino Real de Tena, along the hiking trail
Read more:
Bogotá Insider Tips: Things to do in Bogotá
Bogotá Escapes: Unique Day Trips from Bogotá for the Adventurous Soul
Colombia Travel Inspirations: Top Attractions and Hidden Gems in Colombia
Colombia Travel Tips: General Colombia Travel Advice for Solo Travelers
Colombia Slow Travel Itineraries: Discover Colombia by bus and overland