Tallest Palm Tree in the World!

The tallest palm tree in the world is so fascinating.

For many Palm Devotees. The first time I viewed a photograph, it was of the valley where they grow.

• Some were scattered on hillsides. Their tops swimming amidst cloudy swirls. 
• Gauzy water-vapor mists seemed to slide downward from the cloud forest. Creating this astonishing, eerie mood.

I was awestruck! And I thought those Tall Palms in California might be the tallest!

Will you be thunderstruck seeing them? Let's find out.

Similar to the 1st Image That Caught My Attention - The One I Saw Was Much More Dramatic!

You know how it goes?

That once you first discover something - that same thing or subject suddenly seems to appear again and again. Some say it had always been there, but you'd never noticed it before!

I don't know about that. But I do know How Internet Searching Works.

Sure enough, after seeing that first amazing pic of those tallest palm trees, I began encountering more about them. Even a daily word game I played used their image as a backdrop! Similar to the one I first viewed.

That sure added to the fun I had playing.

People Along the Trail, Interacting with Tall Palms & Loving These Views!

Fascination of The World's Tallest Palm Tree
Columbia 

What is it about these tallest palms?

Some wonder where they are. Or why it attracts people.

And those who've heard of them still aren't quite sure how tall they can grow. Wondering: can palm trees be 100 feet tall? (30.5 meters tall.) They can! And we're seeing now, even taller than that.

When you see them, their height may amaze you, too! These tallest palm trees in the world mostly go by Quindío Wax Palms, or just Wax Palms. Their common names.

The scientific name is Ceroxylon quindiuense.

Palm Fronds Flowing in the Wind Atop These Tall Palm Trees in Valle de Cocora, Columbia

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What is the World Record for the Tallest Palm Tree?

Yes, these are the world's tallest palm trees.

Even getting a place in Guinness World Records, as the "Tallest Living Palm Tree." As validated by Colombian botanist/palm specialist, Rodrigo Bernal.

His team noted by measurement, two Wax palms in La Carbonera's Tochecito River valley:

• 194ft, 2.7in OR 59.2 meters
• 187ft, 4in OR 57.1 meters

The Trunk of this Tall Palm Tree - What Height!

The solitary trunk itself, loftily rises into the air! In the 1800s, there's even documentation of one reaching 200 feet high.

The trunk appears whitish because of its waxy coating.

Yet for that height, it's very narrow. In fact, adults can put their arms fully around some of them. Like a hug, to show their fondness!

Thus its strange appearance: very, very tall and skinny!

This Image below Used With Permission of Matt from Indie Traveller

Note the Horse at the Bottom of Wax Palm's Trunk
To Appreciate the Height Contrast!

Leaves of the Tallest Palm Tree in the World

Atop the trunk, its nearly round crown of fronds rises farther still.

• With palm leaves about 15-18ft/4.572-5.5m long.
• As a pinnate, each leaf has 2-foot/0.61-meters long leaflets.
• Frond undersides are coated with whitish/yellow down-like hairy matting. 

Some Palm Leaves are Blowing - You Can See the Whitish Mats Underneath.

Where are the Tallest Palm Trees in the World?

First get to the South American country of Columbia.

They're found in the Department of Quindío's Columbian Coffee Triangle. Arrive in Solento. It's the access to the stunning Cocora Valley, by catching a ride with Willy's Jeeps.

Valle de Cocora is where you'll see these tallest palm trees scattered throughout grassy hillsides. Also continuing further into higher mountain elevations. To see them within grove-like and jungle settings.

Locating the Cocora Valley Within the Northern Andes of Columbia

Wax Palms Love Growing in the Cloud Forest

The life environment of Wax Palms is the Cloud Forest.

Cloud forests have higher elevations (from 6000-10,000 feet!) than the more well-known Rain Forests of the world, like in the Amazon.

These Wax Palms prefer that chillier climate, not the warmth most palms favor.

Quindío Wax Palms also like the wet, misty conditions. Like I mentioned regarding the first image I saw. And they get that a lot! Which adds to the aura of this captivating valley.

Get to the Valley With Willy's Jeeps

Growing Thickly on the Hillside Jungle Area

Viewing & Touring the World's Tallest Palms

Pay reasonable fees to tour this exclusive valley.

Additional fees added when taking trails through private property. The currency is COP (Columbian Peso). If you plan a trip, Evaluate Your Currency Exchange>

Look for the information board near where you pay your initial entrance fee. You'll view maps with hiking explanations, etc.

Choose a Corcoro Valley Trail

You have three different trail options.

The entry map lines them out. We calculate them as Easy, Doable for Most, to Somewhat Challenging.

Easiest Walk to see the Tallest Palm Tree in the World

Arrive in the village of Cocora.

Continue walking along the main road (Via al Via del Cocora), at your leisure. It forks off to the right, but continue left for vantage points. You can choose to enter one of the private viewpoints; some have inclusive tours.

• The first viewpoint is La Vida es Bella. A private entry tourist attraction that some say gives you fabulous areas for photography. Pay about 10,000 COP.
• Soon after is La Vida Bella Parque, another private area costs about the same. Billed as an amusement & theme park.
• Then Mirador Mano de Acaime is an Observation Deck.
• Next is El Bosque de las Palmas.

This Quindío Palm Hike is Doable for Most

About 2 to 3 hours for This Route, for over a bit less than 5 miles round trip.

• Initially through tall palm hills, but then through thicker jungle as elevation rises.
• Be aware horseback riders use this route. Droppings are along the trail.

Most Challenging Cocora Valley Hike

Give yourself a full day, start early.

Two options On This Loop. Most advise taking it counter-clockwise. As you're walking along the road through Cocora, be sure to turn into the first trail entry.

• First through a grassy field. Here you'll want to keep looking up. Often there's gliding Andean Condors, the world's largest flying bird! 
• The 2nd trail entrance takes you clockwise. Not as dramatic a hike.

A Virtual Sky Tour of the Tallest Palm Trees

Enjoy a living postcard of these plants that achieved the maximum height that palm trees grow!

Takeaways for the tallest Palm Tree in the World

Although these Quindío Wax Palms are the tallest palm trees in the world, there are still many more Very Tall Palm Trees. They may also fascinate you.

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