MetroCable to Parque Arví
Glide over the mountainside in a gondola to a 39,500-acre nature reserve with cloud forest trails, waterfalls, and local food stalls. The cheapest scenic cable car ride in the world.
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History & Background
A Transit Revolution
In 2004, Medellín launched the world's first MetroCable system as public transit. Line L, extended in 2010, was designed specifically to connect the city to Parque Arví — a 16,000-hectare nature reserve in the Santa Elena mountains. The cable car wasn't built for tourists; it was built to give hillside communities access to the city center. But the panoramic views made it one of South America's most beloved attractions.
Parque Arví Nature Reserve
Spanning 39,500 acres (16,000 hectares), Parque Arví is a protected cloud forest reserve with over 70 miles of hiking trails, pre-Hispanic archaeological sites, butterfly gardens, and open-air food markets. The park is a biodiversity hotspot — home to hundreds of bird species, orchids, and ancient trees. Entry to the park is free; you only pay for the cable car ride.
Engineering Meets Nature
The cable car rises 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) from Acevedo station to the park entrance, crossing dense forest canopy. Each gondola holds up to 10 passengers and runs continuously. The engineering feat of building a public transit cable car over a mountainside — at metro fare prices — is uniquely Medellín.
Highlights
- ✦Panoramic views of the entire Medellín valley from 1,300 meters up
- ✦39,500-acre cloud forest reserve with 70+ miles of trails
- ✦Pre-Hispanic archaeological sites within the park
- ✦Local food market at the park entrance — fresh arepas, empanadas, hot chocolate
- ✦Butterfly garden and ecological trails
- ✦The cable car ride itself is the #1 rated attraction in Medellín
- ✦Costs the same as a metro ticket — COP $2,950 each way
Practical Info
Local Tips
- →Go on a clear morning — clouds roll in by afternoon and obscure the views
- →Bring a jacket — it's 10-15°C cooler at the top than in the city
- →Bring cash for food stalls and guided trails inside the park
- →The ride has two segments: Line K (Acevedo to Santo Domingo) then Line L (to Parque Arví)
- →Allow 3-4 hours for the full round trip including park exploration
- →Weekends are busy with local families — go on a weekday if possible
- →Don't skip the food market at the top — best arepas in Medellín