Exploring the Beauty of the Historical Medellin Mountains
If you take a walk around Medellin, you might note that there’s a definite incline to the streets. You may even feel that incline in your thighs whenever you have to walk a significant distance anywhere in the city. This is because large swaths of the city are built on hills. And no matter which way you turn, you’ll most likely see mountains in the distance.
That’s not entirely surprising. Medellin is the capital of the mountainous Antioquia province. Medellin itself is situated in the Aburra Valley, right in the middle of the Andes Mountains and it’s the flattest, widest, and most populated city in the Aburra Valley. So it’s basically surrounded by mountains on all sides.
The altitude of Medellin, Colombia is around 5000 feet above sea level. That’s not considered high altitude so most people should be able to breathe just fine. Though, those with respiratory conditions may need to be careful depending on the severity of their ailments.
So, how many mountains are there around Medellin? Why is it that you can always see them out on the horizon?
To discover that and much more, here are some of those Medellin mountains you should consider exploring and what you can do once you set foot on them.
Hiking through the Medellin Mountains
One of the most obvious activities to do in and around those Medellin mountains is to go hiking. But while you may think it’s the obvious thing to do, hiking is not all that popular of an activity there. Ask yourself, what is Colombia known for aside from its vibrant people and culture? What is the first thing that comes to mind in popular consciousness when the country is mentioned?
Colombia’s checkered past is such that those mountains around Medellin weren’t always the safest. So most people avoided the mountains. Today, there is some infrastructure there and there are a few well-marked trails. But, by and large, the mountains aren’t a great place for hiking and it’s easy to get lost.
Not to mention that the lack of demand also means that if you do get lost or injured, you’re incredibly unlikely to come across another person and get help. So that’s something to keep in mind if you choose to hike the few trails that are there and marked. You may also be able to find a local guide to navigate the trails in the Medellin mountains.
Arenales Waterfall
If you want to see a bit of that history discussed earlier, then the Arenales Waterfall hike is for you. The hike is a mostly downhill one, which can present a challenge, though it is short and should only take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
But that’s not why this hike is notable. The hike starts at the “prison,” La Catedral, then goes down through the jungle and on two distinct waterfalls; Salto de Angel and Chorro de la Campana. Be warned. A good portion of the hike is to take place in a stream, so bring extra socks to prevent trench foot.
Cerro de las Tres Cruces
If you really want to hike around Medellin, then you need to check out Cerro de las Tres Cruces. It’s relatively short, only taking about 20 to 40 minutes on the way up, and is about 1.2km up and down, or about 1.5 miles total.
Another trail you might want to check out is the Cueva de Higueron trail. The cave at the beginning can be a letdown, but there’s a waterfall at the end. As far as time and distance go, a moderately experienced hiker should be able to make the 4.5 mile trek in about 3 to 4 hours.
Cerro Pan de Azucar
If you want to get to a top tourist attraction in Medellin but you don’t want to do it in a typical way, then check Cerro Pan de Azucar. From here, you’ll be able to reach the Parque Avi and the Metrocable and you’ll be able to catch a good view of the city.
The one-way 5.6 mile hike should take about 3 to 4 hours, plus whatever time you spend at Parque Avi.
Another trail hikers should check out is El Volador Hill. The looping hike should take just under two miles long and under an hour to complete. If hiking isn’t your thing, El Volador also has trails for biking and the Cerro El Volador Metropolitan Regional Natural Park is the largest park within Medellin’s metropolitan area.
Nutibara Hill
A prominent hill around Medellin is Nutibara hill, named after indigenous Chief Nutibara. It was initially named several other things under the rule of Spanish conquistadors until it was renamed after the Chief 1930.
Now, the hill is not bare. There are a number of attractions built there, chief among them is Pueblito Paisa, a recreation of the municipalities of the past that was built in 1977.
Another attraction is Nutibara sculpture park. Built in 1983 due to an initiative spearheaded by former Colombian President Belisario Bentancur Cuartas, it is a sculpture garden that features 10 modern and abstract art pieces at the foot of Nutibara hill. The park is open from 6am to midnight and is free to the public.
Finally, on the northern slope of the hill, there is the Carlos Vieco Theater. This is an open air theater named after Medellin-born composer Carlos Vieco Ortiz. It has a capacity of around 3,800 spectators. Every year in June, it becomes the venue for concerts of the International Poetry Festival.
Colombia has plenty of natural wonders. Most people might think of its beaches if they think of those natural wonders. That’s not surprising, considering that Colombia has a coast on the Caribbean sea. They might even think of the Amazon, which is mainly located in Brazil but forests older than recorded history don’t bother with international borders.
The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world. At about 5,300 miles long, it extends through seven countries in South America; Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
There’s plenty to do in Medellin. There’s also plenty to do in the Medellin mountains – part of the Andes – around Medellin as well. If you want to do those things, the first step is to go to Colombia.
