Abstract: A process for the preparation of cyclooctanol from cyclooctene comprising: a. reaction of cyclooctene with formic acid in the absence of an added catalyst to produce a two-phase reaction mixture containing cyclooctyl formate and residual formic acid, b. separation of the two phases into a lower phase rich in formic acid (phase A) and an upper phase low in formic acid (phase B), c. extraction of cyclooctyl formate from phase A to obtain an extract, d. combination of phase B and the extract from phase A, e. distillative work-up of the combination of phase B and the extract from phase A in an apparatus fitted with a short distillation path to obtain crude cyclooctyl formate, and f. catalytic transesterification of the cyclooctyl formate of said crude cyclooctyl formate with an alcohol to produce cyclooctanol.