Parque Arví is a protected nature reserve in the Santa Elena district, in the mountains east of Medellín. The way up is part of the visit: the Metrocable climbs from the city over neighbourhoods and forest in a ride of roughly 20 to 30 minutes. At the top the air is cool and the pace is slow. There are forest trails, streams, picnic areas, a craft and food market and a café. The reserve also holds a pre-Hispanic archaeological site. Guided walks, bike tours and bird-watching are available, so you can plan a short stroll or most of a day.
Getting to Parque Arví by Metrocable
The park is reached by public transport. Take the metro to Acevedo station and change to Metrocable Line K, which runs to Santo Domingo. This leg is covered by the regular metro fare. At Santo Domingo you change to Line L, a separate cable car line that carries visitors to the park. It costs extra, and you pay for the ride in both directions.
Line L runs over the ridge and above the forest, and the ride takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The park opened in the 2000s and gained its own link to the Metrocable in 2010. Because the line is aimed at leisure travel rather than daily commuting, many visitors treat the ride as part of the outing.
You can also drive to the village of Santa Elena, which is the park's base, along the Medellín-Bogotá highway. There is paid parking at the park. For the return, local buses run down from the Santa Elena area toward the centre of Medellín, which is an option if you prefer not to ride the cable car back.
Trails, streams and the forest
The reserve has several trails of different difficulty, so you can choose between a short walk and a longer hike. Visitors describe paved walkways, wooden bridges over streams, dense woodland and a few small garden areas. A lake lies within the reserve, and the water in the streams and lake is cold.
One route, the Camino Cieza de León, is a trail about 1,500 years old and is of interest to keen hikers. The reserve is also an archaeological site with pre-Hispanic remains, and exhibits on the park's biodiversity are part of what is on offer.
Bird-watching is popular, with more than 70 species recorded. Guided walks leave every hour from the main tourist information point and last anywhere from two to five hours, depending on the trails chosen. Some visitors find the trails less clearly laid out than expected, and a guided walk removes that uncertainty.
Activities beyond walking
Cycling is allowed, and electric bicycle tours with guides are a way to cover more ground while learning about the park's plants and wildlife. Other activities mentioned for the reserve include horseback riding, a canopy zipline, a butterfly sanctuary, paddle boats, camping and swimming.
The grounds have picnic tables, barbecue grills, a playground, a dog park, and basketball, volleyball and tennis courts. Dogs are allowed. The entrance, restrooms and parking are wheelchair accessible, which makes the park workable for visitors with limited mobility.
The market, café and food
Close to the arrival point there is a small area of vendors selling handmade crafts, art and food, including pastries and local products. A café serves coffee, and the park has restaurants with traditional Antioquian dishes. Outside the main entrance, more vendors set up on busy days, especially on Sunday mornings.
Before you go, decide whether you want a sit-down meal or a picnic, since the picnic areas near the streams are among the quieter spots in the park.
Walking up or continuing to Santa Elena
Some visitors hike up to the park instead of taking the cable car, with a view of Medellín from Cerro Pan de Azúcar at the midpoint. Security incidents have been reported on some hiking routes around Medellín, including the stretch between Cerro Pan de Azúcar and the park. If you plan to hike up, ask locally about current conditions or go with a guide.
If you would rather ride down, you can take a bus to the small town of Santa Elena. The area is known for the farms that grow the flowers used in Medellín's annual flower festival.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee for Parque Arví?
Yes. The park charges an entrance fee that can be paid by card, and the Line L cable car is a separate cost. Prices change, so check the current amounts at the station and the park gate.
How do you get to Parque Arví from Medellín?
Take the metro to Acevedo, then Metrocable Line K to Santo Domingo, then Line L to the park. You can also drive to Santa Elena along the Medellín-Bogotá highway.
How long do you need at Parque Arví?
Plan on half a day at least. The cable car ride alone takes 20 to 30 minutes each way, and guided walks run from two to five hours.
Can you pay by card at Parque Arví?
The park entrance accepts cards, but the Line L cable car takes cash only. There are ATMs at the park entrances.
Are there guided walks at Parque Arví?
Yes. Guided walks leave every hour between 10 and 3 from the main tourist information point. Electric bicycle tours with guides are also available.
