Are there hiking trails in Parque Arvi ?
Parque Arvi has dozens of miles of beautiful hiking trails that run through its shady forests, along side streams, and picnic areas. Although you can go on a paid guided nature walk with a group and a park guide (more information about this option below), this article will focus mainly on how to hike yourself, or preferable with a group of family or friends, since the majority of guided nature walks offer by the park are short and they might not fit your schedule. Please always remember to hike safely!
Many visitors get off the metrocable at Parque Arvi, excited from such a beautiful ride up the east side of the valley and over miles of pristine green forest. But once they arrive, a question is commonly asked: now what? While Parque Arvi is worth a visit just for the metrocable ride, there’s so much more to do! It’s just not always clear what. Some tourists and hopeful hikers end up disappointed or confused about the lack of information, clear trail maps, and trail markers in the park. But you don’t have to be! Here is a list of options and recommendations for hikers visiting Parque Arvi –
Option #1: Go with a park guide
Parque Arvi offers short nature walks with a park naturalist that depart every half hour, starting at 10am and ending around 4pm. The walks are typically between 2-5 kilometers and last 1-3 hours.
In addition to the shorter nature walks, a new initiative by the park offers other hiking-related events, including longer treks on weekends / holidays. Contact the park or see this link to find more information about signing up for this option.
One benefit of going with a park guide is that your hike will include information about the plants and animals, although last I checked, information was only offered in Spanish. Another benefit is that you will automatically have a group to hike with, which increases your chances of making friends and staying safe.
Option #2: Hiking on your own
Is it permitted to hike without a guide in parque Arvi?
A Parque Arvi employee told me that while it’s not forbidden for individuals to hike independently, it’s not recommended, and therefore they choose not to offer much information / advice. Depending on who you ask, this is either because a) the park doesn’t assume responsibility if you get lost or have a safety incident, or b) because they prefer you pay for a guided nature walk – my guess is probably a mix of the two. Although it isn’t common, there have been safety incidents in the park and its surroundings in the past, so we encourage you to please read safety tips / ask a police officer or park official to see if there have been any recent incidents before you start!
My recommendation for the easiest ways to go hiking on your own in Parque Arvi is to get the maps.me app and download the “offline maps” for Antioquia, Colombia, and follow the dotted line trails.
One limitation for the trails on maps.me is that it doesn’t always distinguish between dirt road, rural paved road, and narrow hiking trails. However, the trails labeled “La Flora”, “El Arroyuelo”, and “Biodiverso” (see picture below) are all pleasant narrow hiking trail through the forest.
Sendero Vital, the closest trail to the mterocable entrance, is also a really beautiful hiking trail; however, at the time of writing this, Sendero Vital is closed to the public (although the official Arvi-sponsored nature walks / events may bring you through there).
Option #3: Hiking TO Parque Arvi
While there are various ways to hike up to the park, they are not always considered safe. It’s therefore recommended to go with a guide and group, which may arrange police and/or park ranger accompaniment. For those willing to risk it, here are two hiking options which start down in the valley and end up in Parque Arvi.
Option A: Jardin Circunvalar – Cerro Pan de Azucar – Parque Arvi
This difficult hike is about 10 kilometers and a short detour up to the Virgin statue along the way will give you one of the best viewpoints that Medellin has to offer. The downside of this route is the safety concerns, as there have been various reports of robbery along this trail in the past few years, including large groups. Please read our blog about hiking safely!
Details for this route can be found in a detailed blog by The Unconventional Route here:
Option B: Cerro Morron – Parque Arvi
This very difficult 13 km hike starts in Copacabana, north of Medellin, up the mountain and then along the top, crossing back into Medellin and ending in Parque Arvi. This route is considered to be relatively safe, although there was one robbery incident not too far from the trail in December 2019.
Many hiking groups have this route in their reportiore, or hikers with a Wikiloc subscription can follow the route here:
- What else is there to do in parque arvi?
Beyond hiking and nature walks, the park offers bike tours, occasional nocturnal visits, and other activities. But if you prefer exploring on your own, here are some other areas of the park that can be fun to visit.
Chorro Clarin – This is a shady picnic and camping area along a pretty stream. On weekends you’ll find a lot of locals hanging out, swimming in the “charcos” (shallow swimming holes), and local food stands, though during the week there might not be anyone else around. You can walk there in 20-30 minutes from the main metrocable entrance by walking down to el tambor, continuing straight, and turning right on the dirt trail after the church, or alternatively, take one of the shuttle buses that says “confama” (please check with the driver that they’re passing by Chorro Clarin).
Parque Ecologico Piedras Blancas – This is a private park operated by Confenalco that has large reservoir, insect museum, butterfly garden, canopy zipline course, kayaking / rowboating, picnic area, hotel, and restaurant. There is an entrance fee of 6.000 COP just to walk around and they charge extra for the various activities. However, as of February 2019, they are doing maintenance on much of the park, so it’s not a great time to visit – the reservoir has been drained of most of its water, the insect museum is being repaired, and the canopy zipline is out of service. Contact the park before to check on the status of park amenities before you go! To get there, take a bus that says “Piedras Blancas” from the El Tambor Bus Stop (2.000 COP, buses run about every half hour on weekends but less frequently during the week). Sometimes there are private individuals offering taxi service for the same price.
El Tambor Bus Stop – Has some traditional restaurants and a bus stop that will take you to Piedras Blancas, or to Guarne, a typical antioquian town of about 50,000. There are frequent buses from Guarne back to Medellin.
Main Metrocable Entrance – Here you’ll find bathrooms, food and artesanal stands, information desk, and a desk to sign up for nature walks / bike tours.
Other General Tips about visiting Parque Arvi –
- The park is closed on Mondays, except when it’s a holiday Monday (those weeks it’s closed on Tuesdays).
- The park sometimes fills to capacity and they stop provided Metrocable service – it’s recommended you visit in the morning!
- Alternative transportation – There are buses marked “Santa Elena” that run from the metrocable entrance Parque Arvi back down to the city center of Medellin and vice versa, for those not feeling the metrocable. Google “Bus Stop Santa Elena” to find the departure / drop-off point in Medellin. The buses also pass by Chorro Clarin. Expect a ride of about an hour, as the buses take a long way back down. Always check with the driver or ask a local to make sure you’re on the right bus!
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