wellness
Medellín Locals Discover Hidden Hill Trails Tourists Never Find
Medellín residents are shifting toward lesser-known trails in the hills and river edges for daily exercise as city programs expand access.
How we reported this
Residents in Medellín have increased use of unmarked trails near the eastern slopes of the Aburrá Valley by 22 percent since January 2025, according to data from the Instituto de Deportes y Recreación.
The trend follows INDER's launch of expanded trail maintenance funding in late 2024, which allocated resources to paths outside the main tourist corridors in El Poblado and Laureles. Local wellness routines now favor these routes for lower crowds and direct connections to daily training schedules without the need for paid entries or guided tours.
Two trails drawing steady local foot traffic
One route runs along the upper section of Quebrada La Picacha in the Belén neighborhood, starting from the pedestrian bridge at Carrera 80 near Calle 32. Another follows the forest edge behind Cerro El Volador in the La América comuna, accessed via the unpaved path off Calle 65 with Avenida 80. Both connect to informal fitness circles organized through neighborhood WhatsApp groups that meet three mornings each week.
INDER reported 148,000 registered participants in its free outdoor activity programs during the first half of 2026, with trail-based sessions accounting for 41 percent of total attendance. Entry to these sites remains free, though some residents pay 8,000 Colombian pesos for optional shuttle transport from the Laureles metro station on weekends.
Practical steps for first-time visitors
Start early at either trailhead to avoid afternoon rain, carry at least one liter of water, and note that mobile coverage drops after the first kilometer on the Quebrada La Picacha route. INDER posts updated trail conditions on its website each Monday, and local runners recommend checking the group board at the Jardín Botánico entrance for last-minute route changes before heading out.