Parque Arví, Colombia

Parque Arví is a favorite amongst locals and tourists who seek a peaceful escape from the urban hustle of Medellín. Part of the fun is getting to this green sanctuary, which is located on a hill and reached by cable car. The Parque Arví cable car ride offers fantastic views of the city below, with orange rooftops being exchanged for lush forest as you climb towards the park. 

Once in the park, you can explore 34 mi (54 km) of hiking trails through local flora and fauna, as well as a waterfall and a lake. The park also contains the remains of prehispanic construction, and its “Camino Cieza de León” trail is estimated to be more than 1,500 years old!

In this guide to Parque Arví, Medellín I’ll share how to plan your visit. I’ll also provide my recommendations on Parque Arví trails and share how I visited one of the park’s hidden gems, Chorro Clarín. 

For more Colombia travel tips and destination guides, head to my Colombia page.

My Visit to Parque Arví, Medellín

Getting to Parque Arví

From Medellín’s city center, I made my way to Parque Arví via cable car. While cable cars are associated with luxurious mountainside retreats in my mind, here in Medellín, they form an integral part of the daily commute for many residents. 

The Parque Arví metrocable glided over less affluent areas of the city, where residents in half-open shacks were bathing in makeshift bathtubs and sifting through trash. I was reminded of the residents sleeping on the streets in Medellín’s city center and I felt a pang of sadness. On a more optimistic note, I noticed that the city installed small parks with outdoor workout equipment in these neighborhoods, and many residents were out enjoying them.

As the cable car ascended higher, the landscape transformed from orange brick shelters to farm-like plots of land. By the time we approached the park, the scene below was carpeted in thick green forest.

Chorro Clarín Trail

Upon arriving at the park, I descended from the cable car, rushed past the tempting snack vendors, and set off to find the path to Chorro Clarín, a waterfall in Parque Arví. The trailhead was unexpectedly located next to a beautiful but deserted chapel. The path cut through the forest and followed a picturesque river featuring wooden bridges and inviting picnic tables. It was a short walk to reach the waterfall, and I celebrated the fact that I didn’t see any tourists there.

Not long after, clouds rolled in and I decided to leave the park. I shared a cable car cabin with a topographer, and we discussed his work in surveying the land around the park to maintain the structural integrity of the Parque Arví cable car system. He asked if I was visiting the area with a boyfriend (sadly, this was the number one question I received during a year of travel).

The topographer kindly shared a wealth of interesting facts about Medellín that only a local would know. He also recommended that I visit Santa Elena to meet the local flower farmers and watch as they prepared for the upcoming flower festival. I’m glad I took his advice; visiting the flower farms of Medellín turned out to be a unique and authentic experience!

Parque Arví Trip Planning Information

Things to Do in Parque Arví

Personally, I think that exploring the Parque Arví trails (especially the Flora and Chorro Clarín trails) is an excellent and free way to spend a day in the park. However, you’ll also find a variety of paid activities and tours within the park.

Parque Arví Map and Trails

You’ll find a trail map posted at the park entrance. The Parque Arví map is also available here. The trails are easy to follow and not physically strenuous; many of them actually follow a road.

Flora Trail

The Flora Trail in Parque Arví is the most popular amongst tourists. This 1 hour loop takes you through a forest where you’ll have the chance to see mosses, ferns, orchids, and anthuriums.

To get to the Flora Trail from the cable car station, turn left onto Calle 86 and walk 10 minutes until you reach the intersection where El Tambo restaurant is. Here, turn right and continue 5 minutes until you reach a hairpin turn in the road, where you’ll see the trailhead on the right. The trail continues 1 mi (1.6 km) through the forest and will end on a road. At the road, turn right and walk 15 minutes back to the station.

Chorro Clarín

Chorro Clarín is Parque Arví’s waterfall and a ~20 minute walk from the entrance. In addition to the waterfall, this trail passes by a beautiful stream, picnicking spots, restrooms, and a free camping area. 

To get to Chorro Clarín from the cable car station, turn left onto Calle 86 and walk 10 minutes until you reach the intersection where El Tambo restaurant is. Continue walking straight for 2 minutes until you see a church on the right, after which you’ll find a dirt trail. After following the trail for 10-15 minutes you’ll arrive in the picnic area. Continue walking and along the stream to reach the waterfall.

Arvi Park Trail Map

The above trail map shows how you can combine the Flora and Chorro Clarín trails in a ~3 mi (4.8 km) walk. If you want to navigate with the map offline, you can do so with an AllTrails subscription (I’ve used AllTrails for years and can confirm it’s well worth it!).

Other Things to Do

Aside from walking trails, there are various other things to do in Parque Arví, including:

• Bike rental
• Comfama Parque Arví, a theme park with outdoor adventure activities
• Piedras Blancas ecopark, a park with a reservoir, boat rentals, trails, an insect museum, and butterfly farm. There is an entrance fee and you can camp or stay in the hotel overnight.
• Guided walking tours are available at the park entrance. The cost is 50,000 COP (12.70 USD). Check here for a list of guided trails.

How Long to Stay

You can visit Parque Arví in a half-day or full day, depending on how much you want to explore. Remember that it will take up to an hour to get there by public transportation from the city center, so it’s worth spending a few hours in the park exploring!

Parque Arví Weather and When to Visit

The temperature in the park is consistent year round, with warm days and cool nights. The park is at slightly higher elevation than Medellín, so expect it to feel a little colder. December to February, and to a lesser extent June to August, are the dry seasons. 

Parque Arví hours are 9 AM – 6 PM, and the park is closed on Mondays. On holidays that fall on a Monday, the park is open and closes the following Tuesday.

For a quieter experience, avoid weekends and local holidays.

Where to Stay in Parque Arví

You can easily visit Arvi Park as a day trip from Medellín; see my Medellín guide for recommendations on places to stay in the city.

If you’d like to stay overnight, there’s actually a hotel in Parque Arví! Check out the Piedras Blancas ecopark for hotel rooms and camping. For budget travelers like myself, you’ll be excited to hear that you can camp for free at Chorro Clarín.

Where to Eat in Parque Arví

There are several mid-range restaurants on the streets near the cable car station. You’ll also find lots of vendors selling snacks in this area. The Mercado Arví next to the cable car station sells organic agricultural products and handicrafts.

If you’re on a budget, bringing a picnic is a popular option!

Is Parque Arví Safe to Visit?

Arvi Park is popular with both locals and tourists and is safe to visit. Robberies are rare, and you can further prevent them by staying on popular trails. Make sure you’ve looked up trail information in advance to avoid issues navigating through the park.

Check out my Colombia safety guide for more tips, and make sure you have travel insurance.

Budget and Money

You don’t need to buy tickets to Parque Arví; the park is free to visit. 

Bring cash for the round trip metro and cable car rides. Bring extra if you’d like to buy food or souvenirs, book a guided hike, or participate in other paid activities. There is an ATM at the cable car station, but it isn’t always working.

What to Bring to Arvi Park

For a full list of what to bring, refer to my Colombia packing list. I would stress the following:

• Downloaded maps of the area (use Google Maps or MapsME)
• SIM or eSIM card
• Good shoes (Women’s, Men’s). After periods of rain, some trails may be slightly muddy and slippery. Other than decent shoes, you don’t need any special hiking gear. The terrain in the park is mostly flat and easy to navigate. 
• Rain jacket (Women’s, Men’s). Afternoon rain showers are quite common.
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito spray

How to Get to Parque Arví

It’s easy to get to Parque Arví by public transportation, and the trip will take up to 1 hour from the city center.

First, take the blue A line to Acevedo station (3,280 COP, or 0.83 USD, for individual ticket).

Next, switch to the K cable line (free transfer) and take it to Santo Domingo.

Lastly, buy a ticket for the L cable line (12,500 COP, or 3.18 USD) and ride it to the terminus of Parque Arví.

How to Get Around

Most visitors choose to explore the park on foot, but you can also rent bicycles.

Where to Go Next

• Head back into Medellín
• To visit more of Medellín’s green spaces, head to the botanical gardens or flower farms.

Thanks for reading! I hope this travel guide to Parque Arví was helpful. Do you love discovering lesser-known trails as much as I do? Let me know in the comments.

Confirm all logistical and safety information before your trip. Also If you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for supporting me in creating free content for you to enjoy!

Save this post for later and share on Pinterest!

Comments