Five Worthwhile Hikes Near Medellin For The Adventure Seeker

Coming from the queen of trying to find a trail or a mountain that can be climbed, I present my top five picks for hiking near Medellin. Enjoy!

El Paso Del Toro

Starting with my favorite day hike option in the whole world, let's start in El Retiro, Antioquia. About a 45 minute bus ride from the city, this day hike meets all my requirements for a quality adventure. I always take the blue public bus that leaves from the Metro station Exposiciones in the city. As of August 2026, the bus costs 12.000 COP. The bus drops you off at the terminal in the town, which is about a ten minute walk to the trail entrance. You will first walk up a paved residential area before entering the trail on the left-hand side.

First, climb a steep 40 minutes to get to El Alto de la Cruz. From there, begin the slight descent to the river... until it turns into a hardcore descent. Once to the river, head upstream about 25 minutes until you reach a picturesque waterfall. Then you will need to wade downstream until reaching the exit trail. The trail is not well marked but is well worn. Use a trail app to get your bearings well and you will be fine! If you do not have the best sense of direction when hiking, use a guide.

This trail takes about five-six hours total. You will need lots of water, snacks, and clothes that can get wet. There are no amenities on the trail so plan accordingly. The most physically demanding part of the hike is the first stent getting to the big cross. From there, it is either downhill or flat.

PS- check the weather before beginning the hike because rain means a rising river which can turn a bit dangerous!

Cerro Quitasol

Take the Metro to the last station towards the north of the city and then a quick taxi or Uber ride to get to the beginning of this trail. Our Uber dropped us off at "Parque Las Cometas" to begin. There they sell some snacks and drinks, but I recommend bringing your own protein bars or packed lunch. This steep, approximately four hour hike takes you through a pine forest and near some indigenous structures. You can also get a great view of the city and maybe even slide down a natural "waterslide" on the way down. The beginning of the trail is exposed to the elements with no tree coverage so wear sleeves or bring sunscreen. It is quite strenuous so pack water and make sure you stretch well while taking breaks to avoid soreness next day! While public and commonly hiked, this climb should only be done with trusted others or with a guide.

Cuevas Del Higueron

El Salado park in Envigado is a gorgeous place to do some day hiking. Take the Metro to station Envigado and from there take a bus that is heading towards "Parque El Salado". The bus will drop you off in front of the park where you will need to walk towards the trout farm/restaurant, cross the small pedestrian bridge, and then proceed towards the rocky trail that leads to the caves. Personally, my favorite part of this hike is the waterfall before the caves. It is a great place to eat lunch and chill for a bit. Hopefully you will see some beautiful birds along the way, too! Getting to the caves can be a little tricky so use a trail app to avoid long detours. This is a safe and nice park where you will likely run into families or groups hiking the trails, but it is always best to go with a friend on these longer hikes. Total, the hike roundtrip to the caves is about four to five hours depending on pace and stops.

This is a FREE and PUBLIC hike. Do not pay random "guides" asking for entrance fees.

El Cerro Volador

My personal favorite quick morning walk in the city is the Cerro Volador. It is smack in the city, has paved trails, and is protected by guards from early morning to afternoon. I personally always begin from the Metro station Suramericana and walk north for about 20 minutes until reaching the base of the hill. From the entrance, it takes about 35 minutes to get to the top. My favorite time to go is Sunday morning when Inder, a local organization, sets up routes and has athletic activities for the community set up around the city. It is not much of a "hike", more like a steep walk. It is a beautiful quick escape from the hustle and bustle below. Up at the top, you will find lots of little shops selling snacks and smoothies. My personal favorite is the smoothie shack that sells the "Proteina" drink option- peanut butter, oats, banana smoothie.

TIPS- I have personally never had any issues here as long as safety recommendations are followed. This hill is best climbed on weekends with lots of people present, or if during the week, with a partner. Do not "give papaya", or give local bandits a reason to watch you, by using your phone excessively, carelessly flashing money, or using shiny jewelry.

Paramo de Las Baldias

Check out the world's smallest paramo just a short trip outside of Medellin. You will be standing at the top looking out at the city while simultaneously enjoying the biodiversity of this high-elevation ecosystem. A guide is necessary for this trail. I did this hike with a local company which was a wonderful experience and cost approximately 90.000 COP in 2026. Pack water, lunch, and a sweater since it can get chilly at the top. If you are in Colombia for more than a week and like hiking, you really should try to make it happen! Paramos are very unique environments that are only found in five countries in the world. Don't miss your chance to learn about this extremely critical "water factory" which is home to the frailejones plants.

Happy hiking!

Tourism Office in El Retiro

Paramo Hike Company