Nevado del Quindío

Nevado del Quindío is a stratovolcano in the Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes with an elevation of about 4,760 meters (15,617 feet). The massif sits at the border of three departments and features steep slopes with exposed rocky sections and sparse high-altitude vegetation.

The volcano was explored and documented by naturalists in the early 1800s, who identified plant species previously unknown to science in its slopes. Later, glacial activity shaped the summit area before those ice masses vanished in recent decades.

The mountain holds deep significance for local communities in the Andean region, shaping how people perceive and interact with their landscape. Its snow-capped peaks have long inspired artists and continue to influence how the area is imagined and represented.

The best time to visit is during the dry season when weather conditions are more stable and visibility improves on the slopes. Hikers should start early in the day and be prepared for sudden weather changes that occur at high elevations.

The mountain still had glaciers through the middle of the 20th century, but they vanished entirely due to climate change. Today the bare rock surfaces clearly show where those ice masses once terminated.

Location: Quindío Department

Location: Risaralda Department

Location: Tolima Department

Elevation above the sea: 4,760 m

GPS coordinates: 4.71074,-75.39252

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:30