San Antonio is not flat: the topography that created the shortcuts
If you've walked through San Antonio, you already know the neighborhood doesn't go easy on your legs. Climbing 5th Street from 4th Avenue up to San Antonio Hill leaves you breathless, and going down 3rd Street is a test of balance. But what few people know – and only locals of 20 or 30 years know by heart – is that the neighborhood is full of public staircases, narrow passages, and concrete alleys that cut walking time in half. They are not postcard staircases, nor are they on Google Maps. They are shortcuts born from the topography: San Antonio is built on a steep hill, and in the 50s and 60s, residents began opening pedestrian passages to avoid having to go around entire blocks. Today, in May 2026, many of those staircases are still there, some in good condition, others with broken railings and moss. But they all tell a story.
What to do: the secret stairs route
The best thing about these staircases is not just that they save you time. It's that from the top you see the city in a way no tourist viewpoint gives you. The trick is to walk calmly, listen to the sounds of the neighborhood (a dog barking, a lady sweeping, the noise of a TV) and feel like you're discovering a Cali that doesn't appear in the guides. Here are the 6 staircases every urban walker should know. I've given them the name the locals use, not the official one (if it exists).
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1. The Staircase at 5th and 3rd (or "the cats' stairs")
Location: 5th Street with 3rd Avenue, right next to the store "Donde la Negra".
Steps: 47 exactly. I counted them on a hungover Sunday.
What you see from the top: A direct view of Cerro de las Tres Cruces, with downtown Cali in the background. If it's late, the sun sets right behind the largest cross.
Local anecdote: Doña Martha, who has lived in the white house on the corner since 1988, told me that the neighbors themselves built this staircase in the 70s. "There was no money to pay a bricklayer, so each family contributed a batch of cement. My father carried the bricks from 4th Avenue." Today, the neighborhood cats gather there to sunbathe. Hence the name.
2. The Hidden Viewpoint Staircase (or "the loose railing stairs")
Location: 4th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, behind the restaurant "El Pan de la Esquina".
Steps: 32, but the last section is compacted earth.
What you see from the top: A natural balcony over the San Antonio neighborhood. You can see the tiled roofs, the satellite dishes, and, if the day is clear, even the Torre de Cali. The sunset from here is better than from the official viewpoint.
Local anecdote: Don Carlos, the owner of the bicycle repair shop on 4th Street, says this staircase was the favorite spot for neighborhood sweethearts in the 80s. "They used to come here to hide because you couldn't see them from the street. Now the railing is loose, but the view is still the same." Caution: don't lean on the left railing, which has been loose since the pandemic.
3. The Silence Staircase (or "the black dog stairs")
Location: 3rd Street with 1st Avenue, at the end of the dead-end alley.
What you see from the top: A panoramic view of the Obrero neighborhood and the highway. It is the tallest of all, and the loneliest. That's why the locals call it "the Silence".
Local anecdote: Doña Lilia, who has lived in the corner house for 40 years, swears there is a black dog that sits on step 30 every night. "He's not mean, but he scares you if you don't expect him. They say it's the spirit of a bricklayer who died building the staircase. I don't believe in that, but I always bring a piece of bread for the dog."
4. The Artists' Staircase (or "the mural stairs")
Location: 2nd Street with 4th Avenue, half a block from the San Antonio Theater.
What you see from the top: A corridor of street art. The murals change every year, painted by students from the Universidad del Valle. The most famous is a portrait of Petronio Álvarez.
Local anecdote: Juan David, a 25-year-old graffiti artist, says this staircase is the neighborhood's "open-air museum". "No one asks for permission here. If you have a spray can, you paint. The only thing the neighbors ask is that you don't cover the faces of the elders."
5. The Staircase at 6th and 2nd (or "the market stairs")
Location: 6th Street with 2nd Avenue, next to the fruit shop "La Cosecha".
What you see from the top: The roof of the San Antonio market and the coming and going of people. It is the noisiest of all, but also the most lively.
Local anecdote: Doña Rosa, who sells fruit at the entrance, says this staircase was the butchers' favorite shortcut. "Before, the market workers would come up here with cuts of meat on their shoulders. Now the delivery drivers use it."
6. The End of the World Staircase (or "the two dogs stairs")
Location: 1st Street with 5th Avenue, where the pavement ends.
What you see from the top: The boundary of the neighborhood with the hillside. From here you can see the whole city, but you can also hear the silence of the wild. It is the most dangerous if it rains.
Local anecdote: Don Álvaro, who lives in the last house, says this staircase was the neighborhood's limit in the 60s. "Beyond it there was nothing, just pasture. Now there are houses, but the staircase is still just as abandoned."
Suggested 45-minute route connecting 4 staircases
If you want to do a quick but complete tour, follow this route that connects the best staircases without backtracking. Bring water, closed-toe shoes, and a charged phone for photos.
- Starting point: San Antonio Park (5th Street with 4th Avenue).
- Staircase # 1: Go up 5th Street to 3rd Avenue, take the Staircase at 5th and 3rd (47 steps). From the top, look at Cerro de las Tres Cruces.
- 5-minute walk: Go down 3rd Avenue to 4th Street, turn right and look for the Hidden Viewpoint Staircase (32 steps). Stop to take sunset photos if it's late.
- 7-minute walk: Continue along 4th Street to 2nd Avenue, go up half a block and take the Artists' Staircase (28 steps). Look at the murals.
- 10-minute walk: Go down 4th Avenue to 1st Street, turn left and arrive at the End of the World Staircase (41 steps). Be careful with the dogs.
- End point: From the top, walk back along 1st Street to San Antonio Park (15 minutes uphill).
Total time: 45 minutes if you don't stop much. If you stop to take photos or talk to locals, calculate 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Where to eat or drink near the staircases
After going up and down stairs, your body will ask for something. San Antonio has options for all budgets. Here are the ones closest to the routes:
- El Pan de la Esquina (4th Street with 3rd Avenue): A small place that sells cassava bread and coffee from $3,000 COP. Ideal for a quick break. Open Monday to Saturday, 7am-7pm.
- Donde la Negra (5th Street with 3rd Avenue): A neighborhood store that makes fresh juices and empanadas. The beef empanada costs $2,500 COP. Note: cash only.
- La Cosecha (6th Street with 2nd Avenue): Fruit shop with fresh fruit smoothies from $5,000 COP. Perfect for hydrating after the Market Staircase.
- Restaurante San Antonio (5th Street with 5th Avenue): Daily special for $15,000 COP. Home cooking, not gourmet. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm-4pm.
How to get there and transportation
Getting to San Antonio is easy from any point in Cali. But if you come by car, prepare for steep streets and scarce parking. Better to move on foot or by bus.
- By MIO: Take the "San Antonio" station on the T1 line. From there, walk 10 minutes uphill to the park. The fare is $2,600 COP (reference price for May 2026).
- By taxi or Uber: From downtown, the trip costs between $8,000 and $12,000 COP. Ask to be dropped off at San Antonio Park.
- On foot: If you are downtown (Plaza de Caicedo), it's a 20-minute walk with a constant incline. I don't recommend it if you are carrying luggage.
- By bicycle: The climbs are tough, but the descents are fun. There is a public bike rack in the park.
Local tips
This is what no tourist knows, but the locals would tell you if you asked:
- Don't go at night without a flashlight: Most staircases don't have public lighting. Bring your phone charged or a small flashlight.
- Watch out for moss: After rain, the concrete steps become slippery. Wear shoes with non-slip soles. Running shoes are ideal.
- Guard dogs are not aggressive if you don't provoke them: At the End of the World Staircase there are two dogs that bark, but they don't bite. If they see you are calm, they will ignore you. Don't pay them any mind.
- Bring cash: The stores near the staircases don't accept cards. Bills of $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 COP are enough.
- Ask the locals: If you see someone sweeping or sitting in a doorway, say hello and ask about the history of the staircase. The people of San Antonio are friendly and like to tell stories.
- Don't use Google Maps for the staircases: The app doesn't recognize these shortcuts. Better to follow the directions in this article or ask at the store "Donde la Negra".
Frequently asked questions
Are the staircases safe to walk alone?
Generally, yes, but with caution. During the day (between 7am and 6pm) there is movement of neighbors and dogs, which makes them safe. After 7pm, the Silence Staircase and the End of the World Staircase become very lonely. If you go alone, bring a whistle or share your location with someone. The staircases in the center of the neighborhood (the Artists' and the Viewpoint) have more traffic even at dusk.
How much time do you save using the staircases instead of the streets?
It depends on the route, but on average you save between 10 and 15 minutes per trip. For example, going from 5th Street to 1st Street by road (going around the hill) takes about 25 minutes. Via the Silence Staircase, it's only 8 minutes. On a full day of walking, you can save up to an hour.
Are there any staircases in poor condition that I should avoid?
Yes, the End of the World Staircase has the last steps made of earth that turn into mud when it rains. Also, the Hidden Viewpoint Staircase has a loose railing on the left side. Avoid leaning on it. The rest are in acceptable condition, although with moss and cracks. If it rains, it's better to skip the route or go very carefully.
Can I bring my children or my dog?
With small children, the Artists' Staircase and the Market Staircase are the safest because they have firm railings and fewer steps. The Silence and the End of the World staircases are not recommended for children due to broken steps and guard dogs. If you bring a dog, make sure it is used to climbing stairs; some have very high steps.
Is there any organized walking group in San Antonio?
Yes, there is a WhatsApp group called 'Caminantes de San Antonio', where neighbors organize guided routes on Saturday mornings. The next outing is Saturday, May 15, 2026, at 7am, from San Antonio Park. The guide is Doña Martha, a 30-year resident who knows every staircase. To join, ask at the store "Donde la Negra" or look for the group on WhatsApp. The walk is free, but it is appreciated to bring extra water to share.
Historical or contextual introduction
San Antonio is one of the most emblematic neighborhoods in Cali, known for its colonial architecture and bohemian atmosphere. This area is not only famous for its colorful houses and vibrant cultural life, but also for its secret staircases and pedestrian shortcuts that facilitate access to different levels of the neighborhood. In the past, San Antonio was the residence of the Cali elite, which explains the layout of its streets and staircases that connect the different heights of the terrain. Over time, these staircases became part of the urban landscape and a symbol of the daily struggle of its inhabitants to move around a neighborhood with so many slopes.
The history of the neighborhood dates back to the 17th century, when it was founded as a Spanish settlement. The staircases we now consider shortcuts were originally designed as access paths to the colonists' homes. Today, these routes are not only practical but also offer walkers surprising views of the city and an authentic experience of local life.
Exploring these staircases can be an adventure in itself. Not only will they take you to the highest points of the neighborhood, but they will also allow you to discover corners full of street art and cozy cafes. Below are some tips to make the most of these routes: