Cocora Valley (Valle de Cocora)

Route Typology: Andean Cloud Forest & Pasture Loop. Located in the buffer zone of Los Nevados National Natural Park near the colonial town of Salento, the Cocora Valley is a corner of the UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape (Paisaje Cultural Cafetero). It serves as the primary sanctuary for the Quindío Wax Palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense)—the national tree of Colombia and the tallest palm species in the world, capable of reaching heights of 60 meters. The trail transitions through open pastures, crosses suspension bridges over the Quindío River, and climbs into humid cloud forests where the palms rise strikingly through the mountain mist.

Morro Dois Irmãos is one of Rio de Janeiro's most accessible and visually rewarding trails, linking the Vidigal community with a granite peak overlooking the South Zone. The route is defined by its social-geographic transition—starting with a local transport ride through a residential favela followed by a steep but relatively short ascent through the Atlantic Forest. Unlike the more technical and remote Pedra da Gávea, this hike is a staple for fit beginners and sunset observers, providing a definitive overview of Ipanema, Leblon, and the nearby Corcovado massif.