Beyond the MIO: The Definitive Guide to Walking and Cycling Routes Through Cali's Green Corridors

Walking or cycling through Cali is not just an alternative to the MIO: it is the only way to feel the city as it should be felt. The climate of the "Sucursal del Cielo" —that warmth that embraces but doesn't suffocate—, the short distances between neighborhoods, and a vibrant street culture make moving through the green corridors an experience no bus will give you. While the mass transit system fills up during rush hour, the bike lanes, tree-lined boulevards, and colonial stairways offer you a different Cali, slower, more authentic. Since September 2026, with the cycling boom following the Giro de Rigo and the growing interest in sustainable tourism, more and more visitors and locals are leaving motorized transport behind to explore the city on foot or on two wheels. The good news: Cali has a green infrastructure that many don't know about, connecting the historic center with the modern west and the bohemian south through linear parks, riverside trails, and calm streets. In this guide, I'm going to tell you, as if you were my friend visiting, what the best routes for walking and cycling are, where to rent a bike without dying in the attempt, and how to get around the green corridors without relying on the MIO or a taxi. No secrets kept here: these are the mental maps we caleños use daily.

Why walking or cycling is the best way to get to know Cali

Cali is a mostly flat city, with notable exceptions like San Antonio or Cerro de las Tres Cruces, but the urban core —from the Torre de Cali to Parque del Perro— has minimal elevation changes. That makes it perfect for exploring on foot without being exhausted. Distances between points of interest are deceptively short: you can walk from the Iglesia de San Antonio to the Bulevar del Río in less than 20 minutes, something unthinkable in Bogotá or Medellín. The climate is another factor in your favor. With an average temperature of 24°C year-round, Cali has no marked winter or summer. The rainy season runs from April to May and October to November, but even in those months, rains are usually torrential but short —20 to 30 minutes— and then the sun comes out in full force. That means you can plan a long walk without fear of the weather ruining your day; just bring a cap and water. But there's a deeper reason: street culture. In Cali, life is lived on the sidewalk. The cholado vendors, the corner stores with their domino tables outside, the impromptu salsa groups in a park, the grandmothers who bring out their chairs to the door to watch people pass by. All of that is lost if you go by bus or car. Walking lets you strike up conversations, discover hidden murals, and find that empanada joint that doesn't show up on Google Maps. For those who prefer cycling, Cali has an added advantage: the flat terrain makes pedaling easy, and the breeze from the Cali River makes routes along its banks especially pleasant. Plus, the city has been building a network of bike lanes that, while not perfect, connects key points: from the south (Unicentro area) to the north (La 70 area), passing through the center and the west.

Route 1: The Calle Quinta Green Corridor – from the Torre de Cali to Parque del Perro

Calle Quinta is the historic axis connecting the city's financial heart with its most iconic neighborhood for gastronomy and culture: Parque del Perro. It's a route many caleños do daily without knowing they're traveling through a corridor with enormous green potential, tree-lined in several stretches and with wide sidewalks that invite unhurried walking.

Starting point: La Torre de Cali

La Torre de Cali, that iconic 42-story building visible from almost anywhere in the city, is the perfect reference point to start. It's located on Avenida 2 Norte with Calle 23, in the San Vicente neighborhood. From there, walk south along Calle Quinta, which in this stretch is a tree-lined avenue with low houses and office buildings. Don't miss the Plazoleta Jairo Varela, right in front of the tower, a tribute to the salsa master who gives the city its name. It's a good place to catch your breath and watch the city's movement before setting off on the journey.

Mandatory stops along the way

As you head west along la Quinta, you'll come across several points worth pausing at:

• El Parque de los Gatos (Calle 5 with Carrera 36): A small but charming park, full of cat sculptures that local artists have left over time. It's a perfect spot for photos and resting in the shade of the trees.
• La Plazoleta de San Antonio (Carrera 5ta with Calle 1): Although technically you detour a bit from la Quinta, climbing the stairways toward the Iglesia de San Antonio is worth it. From the square, the view of Cali at sunset is among the best you'll find without climbing a hill.
• Murals on Calle 5 between Carrera 34 and 36: In recent years, urban artists have intervened several facades in this stretch. Look for the mural dedicated to salsa and the one paying homage to the Afro-Colombian culture of the Pacific.

The final destination: Parque del Perro and its surroundings

Parque del Perro, located on Carrera 35 with Calle 5, is the epicenter of Cali's nightlife and gastronomy. During the day, it's a quiet place with a statue of a dog (hence the name) and benches where retirees play chess. At night, it transforms into a hive of people heading to the area's bars and restaurants. If you arrive walking from the Torre de Cali, the total route is approximately 4 kilometers, which at a leisurely pace takes about 50 minutes. You can do it early in the morning when the heat is bearable, or in the late afternoon when the golden light bathes the colonial facades of San Antonio.

Where to grab a coffee on the route

Calle Quinta and its surroundings have filled with specialty coffee shops in recent years. Some I recommend, without inventing names that don't exist, are those you find in the Granada and San Antonio area, where local baristas compete for the best espresso in the city. Look for places with a terrace, because in Cali, coffee is enjoyed while watching people go by.

Route 2: Sunday Ciclovía and weekend routes along Avenida Roosevelt and the Cali riverbank

Sundays in Cali have a different sound: that of bicycle wheels on asphalt. The ciclovía, which runs from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, closes the main avenues so pedestrians and cyclists can take over the streets. It's as much a social event as a sporting one, and the most popular route runs along Avenida Roosevelt from south to north, connecting with the Cali riverbank.

Avenida Roosevelt: the pulse of the ciclovía

La Roosevelt is a wide, tree-lined avenue with exclusive bike lanes in several stretches. During the ciclovía, it becomes a party: entire families with kids in rear seats, groups of friends pedaling and chatting, fruit and natural juice vendors stationed on corners. The classic route starts in the south, at the height of the Universidad del Valle, and heads down toward the center. It's about 8 kilometers one way, with a gentle slope that requires no major effort. Along the way, you'll pass:

• El Parque del Ingenio (Carrera 100 with Calle 5): A huge park where the ciclovía stops so people can exercise on outdoor machines or simply sit on the grass to watch the sunset.
• La Plazoleta de la Calle 5 con Carrera 66: A meeting point for more experienced cyclists preparing to climb to Cristo Rey or Cerro de las Tres Cruces.
• El Bulevar del Río (between Calle 1 and Calle 9): The crown jewel. This pedestrian and cycling corridor, built on the old riverbank, is an example of well-done urbanism. It has green areas, playgrounds, public bike stations, and a family atmosphere on Sundays.

The Cali riverbank: a green corridor that never stops

Outside the Sunday ciclovía, the Cali riverbank has a continuous trail that runs from the west (near the Placa Deportiva Panamericana) to the east, where the river disappears into the industrial zone. The most pleasant stretch for walking or cycling is the one from Puente de la 14 to Puente de la 70, passing through the Bulevar del Río and the Parque Lineal de la 9. This corridor is full of large trees —ceibas, samanes, acacias— that provide generous shade, and has benches every few meters to sit and rest or simply contemplate the water. It's common to see herons, iguanas, and even sloths in the trees, so bring your camera.

Bike rental and support points

If you don't have your own bike, no problem. Cali has a public bicycle system called Mi Bici, with stations at key points like the Bulevar del Río, the Torre de Cali, and Parque del Perro. The service is free with prior registration, and the bikes are simple but functional, ideal for a