Cerro El Volador: A Relaxing Day in Medellin

Located as a massive green spot on the map, Cerro El Volador is one of Medellin’s most popular parks. Unlike Cerro Tres Cruces, most of this hike can be done on a paved road. This is a great place if you like to go biking or enjoy nature without traveling far.

Once at the top, you can enjoy beautiful 360-degree views of the city. It is north of the private airport so you will see a lot of airplanes flying close overhead. This park is one of seven guardian hills located in Medellin. Some other popular ones include Cerro Quitasol, Cerro El Picacho, and the one mentioned above. Some of the objectives of this park include:

• Protecting the natural plant species
• preserving the archaeological findings
• Showing appreciation for the Borra Valley

How to Get to the Cerro El Volador Trailhead in Medellin

The absolute best way to reach this park is by uber or taxi. If you simply type in El Volador Hill in uber, it will take you right to the main gate. Most taxis should be able to know what you are talking about if you say Cerro El Volador. The ride shouldn’t cost too much. Our uber home to Rosales cost $9,000 COP ($2.19).

We actually didn’t take an uber to get there and decided to take the metro. This costs less than $1 and it wasn’t the most recommended way. Once on the metro, head to the hospital stop, and head west. The walk took around 25 minutes but the streets got very difficult to cross once we got closer to Cerro El Volador in Medellin.

Related Post: 9 Amazing Hikes in Medellin

Cerro El Volador Hike Details

My Suggested Hiking Gear

Below is a list of some of my favorite hiking/travel gear I bring everywhere. Everything below is something I currently use and never leave my house without.

• KEEN Durand II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots: I finally upgraded my hiking boots in 2022 and these are fantastic. They have top-notch ankle support and are super durable.
• Petzl Tikka Headlamp: A headlamp for hiking is a must if you’re like me and love sunrise hikes. This is a great price for a quality headlamp and also has a good red light to not disturb others in the morning.
• Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks: I originally got these as a present but I had to buy more because these are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever tried on.
• Grayl GeoPress Water Filter Bottle: You will never have to rebuy plastic water bottles. This is the best water filtering device on the market. It is excellent for hikers and travelers alike.

Other Hikes You’d Love in Medellin:

• Cerro Quitasol
• Arvi Park
• Salto del Angel
• Piedra del Peñol

My Experience Hiking Through Parque Natural Cerro El Volador

We decided to go on a Sunday afternoon and I don’t normally like to go to popular destinations on this day. Especially not at the time that we went. We headed there around 12:30 PM but it wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would be. Once you arrive you will first go past a large office. If you drove or took a car, there will be a parking lot a little bit past that up the hill.

No cars are allowed past this point, so only walking and biking from here on out. It was interesting walking on the street for a little bit at first but we got used to it. It would have been nice to have a trail right at the beginning but there are plenty throughout the rest of the area.

The Many Different Trails in Cerro El Volador

After walking on the road/sidewalk for 10 minutes or so you will come across a little rest area. There are snacks and drinks that you will be able to buy here. We bought two empanadas each before we left and the total price was $14,000 COP ($3.70). Starting around this area you will begin to see different paths on the hill. Some of these paths lead up to the top or down below.

Everything here is pretty well maintained and you will often see others coming up from these side trails. We stayed put on the main road until the large set of stairs that you will see later. If you have time, I highly suggest you hit these shorter trails to see the true beauty of Cerro El Volador.

360-view point at Cerro El Volador in Medellin

If you came for good views then you will not be disappointed. It started out as a cool nice morning in Medellin and quickly turned cloudy. That was quite alright because the small sprinkles helped cool us off up top. There are a handful of benches at the top where you can sit down and enjoy this amazing view.

I was able to fly the drone over here and got to see a bird’s eye view of the park. After I was finished flying, two people immediately flew up a kite. The appreciation for nature in such a huge city is something I was shocked to see when I first arrived here but now I fully embrace it myself. This city is like no other in the world.

Other Popular Activities to do Around Medellin

Like I said before, Medellin is growing in popularity weekly. Everyone who I have talked to that has been here having loved it and so far, I do as well. Some of the popular activities here include visiting Communa 13 tour and visiting Pablo Escobar’s house. Communa 13 used to be one of the most dangerous parts of any city in the world and now it is completely redone with graffiti and art. If you are down for a little bit more of an adventure, then visiting the famous El Penol Rock in Guatape is a must when coming to Colombia.

Final Thoughts about Cerro El Volador in Medellin

Even though this wasn’t a true gritty hike that I love, I really enjoyed it! It was perfect for a Sunday afternoon and the views were the cherry on top. If you are in Medellin for a while then I highly suggest you bring some lunch, a hammock, and a good book to read. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you for reading my guide on Cerro El Volador in Medellin! I hope you enjoy this park as much as we did.