Medellín Residents Build Walking Groups, Tap Growing Outdoor Fitness Trend

Neighbourhood walking groups in Medellín have drawn 45 participants on average to their first sessions along the paths near the Jardín Botánico this year.

Interest has risen because the Alcaldía de Medellín expanded its 2025 wellness programs that encourage daily movement in public spaces after local health reports showed more adults seeking low-cost exercise options.

Pick a route and set a schedule

Start by mapping a flat 3-kilometre loop that begins at the entrance to Parque Lleras in El Poblado and ends at the nearby metro station. Groups that meet twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. have kept attendance steady because the timing avoids peak heat and traffic.

Reach out through the existing WhatsApp lists run by the Comuna 13 community centre or post flyers at the Laureles library branch. These channels already connect hundreds of residents who joined earlier runs organised by the same centres.

Handle the practical steps

Collect a 5,000-peso contribution per person each month to cover printed maps and basic first-aid supplies. Data from the Medellín health secretariat shows that groups meeting at least eight times a month report a 30 percent increase in regular walkers after three months.

After the first month, add a second route that climbs the lower trails of Cerro Nutibara for variety. Check in with the same community centre to reserve a shaded meeting spot and update the schedule on their bulletin boards.

Invite a local doctor from the nearby Clínica Las Vegas to speak at the fourth session about hydration and joint care. Keep the group size under 20 so every walker can stay within sight of the leader on narrow sidewalks.