Arví Park is perched high on the slopes of Medellín, Colombia. Its best known for the 54 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding and its commute by the metro cable. Spending a day trip to Arví Park was a treat and a spectacular way to view the city from above.
Waiting for the metro line to get to Santo Domingo Savio station
Our commute was easy. We took the metro from Estadio station to Santo Domingo Savio station. From there, we took a 30 minute ride up on the metro cable. The cable cars can suit up to 8 people so it’s a good way to either practice your spanish or get a chance to indulge in a conversation with other tourists! Either way, cozy up and enjoy the city in bird’s eye view.
Sharing the metro cable car with other folks
Reaching Arví Park, there were food stands and merchants set up in the courtyard. Chairs and tables were lined up for the hikers and visitors to sit and relax under the shade. From watermelons to arepas to trinkets and souvenirs, a slow movement of visitors carefully chose what they wanted to buy.
Fantastic coffee at the start of the trail
We headed for the trails, winding down and passing merchants on the sides of the trail where dream catchers and handmade jewelries were made. At the beginning of the trail, there were stables for horseback riding tours but no horses were there! Usually, you would have to book beforehand as a group or as an individual, so be sure to look out for that. Changing to plan B, we made our way through the trail by foot.
The hike is an easy one. It is well shaded by the diversity of tall trees that builds its forest. A steep hill comes from time to time but it is definitely manageable. Here, you would see the diverse flora and fauna during the time that you hike through the trails.
One of the steeper portions of the hike
Coming down from Arví Park after the hike, the metro cable stops at Santa Domingo Barrio. There, I decided to walk through the busy streets. It was narrow, cramped and filled with locals. They were either selling, resting, or there were kids running through the streets. I was so intrigued by the stacked homes and tattered but everything was functional and working. School children were just coming out of school in their uniforms, small children were kicking soccer balls on the street, vendors were selling perfume, plantains and everything imaginable.
If you want to spend a day out, give Arví Park a try and you will surely enjoy it.