Thing to do
Comuna 13 Graffiti and Escalators
A hillside district in western Medellín known for its outdoor escalators, murals and hip-hop culture, now visited by close to two million people a year.
Cerro El Volador Hike
A walk up Medellín's largest urban nature park, a protected hill with pre-Hispanic burial sites, an open-air butterfly house and views across the whole Aburrá Valley.
At a glance
- Type
- Urban hill walk and nature park
- Area
- Robledo (Comuna 7), Medellín, Colombia
- Opening
- Open daily · 05:00–17:00
- Official site
- medellin.gov.co
Good to know
- Trails
- Butterfly house
- Hummingbird garden
- Outdoor gyms
- Viewpoints
Why we recommend it
Cerro El Volador is the largest natural park within Medellín's urban area and one of the hills that shape the city's skyline. Covering a little over 100 hectares in Comuna 7, in the west-central part of the city, it rises about 82 metres above the surrounding streets to a summit at 1,628 metres above sea level. From the top you can see the whole Aburrá Valley, which makes the walk up a rewarding way to get your bearings early in a trip.
The hill matters for its history as much as its views. Archaeologists have found remains dating back to the first centuries of the Common Era, and funerary complexes from the 14th to 16th centuries are attributed to the Aburráes, the Indigenous people who gave their name to the valley. Some of Medellín's earliest settlements were also established on its slopes. The hill was declared part of the historic and natural heritage of the nation in 1992, and in 1998 the Ministry of Culture declared it of national cultural interest.
Several trails lead up the hill, among them El Indio, La Espiral del Tiempo and La Cima. On the way you can visit the city's first open-air butterfly house, which feeds more than 30 native species including the monarch, a garden dedicated to seven species of hummingbird, a teaching plant nursery and a meliponario for native angelita bees. Biodiversity is high for a city park: more than 83 tree species, 106 types of bird and more than 78 butterfly species have been recorded. There are also four outdoor gyms, and the paths are popular for running, cycling and picnics.
The park opens every day from 5:00 to 17:00, and the city government, which manages it as an urban protected area, recommends it for family outings, outdoor exercise and nature watching. Allow around two hours to walk up, see the butterfly house and return.
The hill is bounded by Carrera 65 on its eastern side and sits next to the Universidad Nacional and the Universidad de Antioquia, among the neighbourhoods of El Volador, La Iguaná, San Germán and Caribe. Birdwatchers can download a bird guide from the city's environment department website before going.
Cerro El Volador Hike FAQs
What are the opening hours of Cerro El Volador?
It is open every day from 5:00 to 17:00.
What is the meliponario?
A space dedicated to native angelita bees, which the park highlights for their role in pollination.
How high is the summit?
About 1,628 metres above sea level, around 82 metres above the surrounding city.
What trails are there?
Trails include El Indio, La Espiral del Tiempo and La Cima.
Is there anything for children?
Yes. The open-air butterfly house, the hummingbird garden and the plant nursery suit families.
Why is the hill important?
It holds archaeological remains, including funerary complexes of the Aburráes from the 14th to 16th centuries, and is protected as national heritage.
Is it good for birdwatching?
Yes. 106 types of bird have been recorded, and the city publishes a birdwatching guide.
How long should I allow?
Around two hours to walk up, visit the butterfly house and come back down.