Night hiking in Medellín: Cerro El Volador and its legends under the full moon

Medellín after sunset: when the city is seen from above

There is a moment, around 6:15 in the evening, when Medellín transforms. The lights of the valley begin to glow as if someone were turning on bulbs one by one, the murmur of cars fades and the air becomes cooler. While El Poblado starts its party and the restaurants of Provenza fill their tables, another Medellín emerges: the one of the cerros tutelares, the one of the trails walked with a flashlight in hand, the one of the owls that begin to hunt when the bustle dissipates.

Night hiking is not a recent trend. The cerros tutelares of Medellín —El Volador, Nutibara, La Asomadera, El Picacho, Las Tres Cruces, Pan de Azúcar, El Salvador and Santo Domingo— have been for years the training ground for walkers, cyclists and neighbors who go up to exercise before sunrise. What has changed is that more and more people choose to go up at night, in a group, with the full moon as their only lamp, seeking to see the city from a little-known angle.

This guide is for those who want to try it. It is not an extreme route nor do you need mountaineering equipment: it is an urban hike, accessible, that you can do on a Tuesday after work. But like everything at night, there are certain rules to follow. Here they are, with data updated to September 2026.

Cerro El Volador: the green lung that almost no one visits at night

El Parque Natural Regional Metropolitano Cerro El Volador is the largest natural park within the urban area of Medellín: 107.13 hectares of forest, trails and viewpoints that rise 82 meters above the city level. Located in the La Candelaria district, among the neighborhoods surrounding the Universidad Nacional and the carrera 65 corridor, it is one of the cerros tutelares, along with Pan de Azúcar, El Salvador, El Picacho, La Asomadera, Las Tres Cruces, Nutibara and Santo Domingo.

Despite its size, many residents of Medellín have never gone up. El Volador has that particularity: it is in the heart of the city, but it feels as if you were on the outskirts. From the top, the valley unfolds before you, the urban sprawl extends from north to south, the Medellín river shines like a scar of light and, on clear nights, the eastern hills are drawn against the sky.

Admission is free and the park is open to the public, which makes it the ideal setting for a night hike: no cost, no reservations and a step away from the Metro.

Cerro El Volador

The hill has several marked trails, some paved and others dirt, that climb among guaduales, native trees and scrub areas. Along the way, you will find people jogging, couples walking and groups of friends going up to exercise. When night falls, the atmosphere changes: fewer people, more silence and the feeling that the city is left below, far away.

What surprises first-time visitors the most is the amount of life that activates at dusk. El Volador is a refuge for nocturnal birds, opossums, bats and a diversity of insects that only reveal themselves under the light of a flashlight. It is not unusual to hear owls at sunset, and if you have someone who knows about birds, they will point out sounds you never imagined existed.

The park offers natural viewpoints in the upper part, from where you can observe the western part of the city, the Olaya Herrera airport and, on clear nights, the lights of the municipalities of the Valle de Aburrá. It is a place to stop for a moment, turn off the flashlight and let your eyes adjust to the darkness.

The recommended route: from the base to the viewpoint and back

The classic El Volador hike takes between 1.5 and 2 hours if done calmly, making stops to observe, take photos and rest. It is not physically demanding: the slope is moderate and the trails are in good condition. However, at night everything seems longer, so allow two hours so you don't rush.

The typical route begins at the main entrance, on carrera 65, near the Universidad Metro station. From there, you go up the main trail, which winds through trees until you reach the viewpoint area. Along the way, there are several points where you can stop: a guadua area, a stretch of denser forest and a couple of clearings where the city begins to appear.

The upper part is the reward. There are the viewpoints, the benches and the open space where people sit to contemplate. If you go in a group, it is the perfect place to bring out something to eat, share and enjoy a while before going down.

The descent is done along the same trail or along a variant that goes down toward the northern side, depending on where you entered. At night, the best thing is to return along the same path: you know the terrain, you know where the steps are and you avoid getting lost in an area you can't see well.

Legends, myths and what you really hear on the hill

Like every cerro tutelar of Medellín, El Volador has its share of stories. It is said that before the city grew, these hills were the territory of walkers, of people who went up to gather firewood or take refuge, and that at night inexplicable noises were heard. Popular imagination has given names to those sounds: ghosts, lights that move on their own, footsteps that follow walkers.

The truth is less cinematic but more interesting. What you hear on the hill at night are animals: owls, opossums, frogs, insects. What seems to move among the trees are bats hunting. And what sometimes looks like a shadow is a stray dog or a walker going faster than you.

That doesn't mean the hill lacks mystery. It has it, but it is a natural mystery: the silence, the darkness, the feeling of being in a forest in the middle of a city of almost three million inhabitants. For many, that is more impressive than any legend.

If you go with someone who knows the hill, ask them to tell you about the birds. El Volador is an important birdwatching spot in Medellín, and at night you can hear species that during the day do not show themselves. Bring a red-light flashlight if you want to try to see wildlife without scaring it.

Safety and logistics: what you need to know before going up

Night hiking in Medellín is a viable activity, but it requires common sense. Here are some recommendations that apply to El Volador and any cerro tutelar:

• Go in a group. Never go up alone at night. Three people is the reasonable minimum. If you don't have company, look for hiking groups on social media or apps that organize night outings.
• Bring a flashlight. A headlamp is ideal, since it leaves your hands free. A cell phone can work, but it runs out of battery and doesn't illuminate properly. Bring spare batteries.
• Proper footwear. Wear sneakers with good soles; avoid flip-flops or sandals. The trails have loose stones and roots.
• Warm clothing. In Medellín, the night is cool, and at the top of the hill it is colder than in the valley. A light jacket is enough.
• Water and something to eat. Although the hike is short, it is always good to bring water and a fruit or an energy bar.
• Check the weather. If it is raining or there is an electrical storm, don't go up. The trails become slippery and the risk increases.
• Schedule. The park has opening and closing hours. It is recommended to verify current hours before planning a night outing, as they may change depending on the time of year or administration's provisions.
• Route apps. Apps like Wikiloc or AllTrails have recorded routes of El Volador that you can follow without needing a signal. Download them before going up.

An important fact: although the hill is open to the public, it is not illuminated throughout its entire extent. There are stretches with lighting and others completely dark. That is part of the appeal, but it is also the reason why a flashlight is essential.

Cerro La Asomadera: the other night hike that's worth it

If El Volador is too far for you or you want to vary, Cerro La Asomadera is a natural alternative. Located in the La Candelaria district, near downtown Medellín, it is one of the cerros tutelares of the city, along with Pan de Azúcar, El Salvador, El Volador, El Picacho, Las Tres Cruces, Nutibara and Santo Domingo.

La Asomadera is smaller and more accessible than El Volador. Admission is free and the park has trails, green areas and viewpoints from where you can see downtown and part of the valley. At night, the atmosphere is calm, with fewer people than El Volador, and more neighborhood-like: neighbors walking, people jogging, couples sitting on the benches.

The hike is short, less than an hour if completed, and the slope is gentle. It is a good option for those who want to try night hiking without embarking on a long route, or for those who live near downtown and don't want to travel to the Universidad.

Like El Volador, La Asomadera has opening and closing hours that are worth verifying before going. And the same recommendations apply: go in a group, bring a flashlight, wear proper footwear and don't go up if it is raining.

How to get there and transportation

El Volador has a privileged location: a few minutes from the Universidad Metro station, on line A. From there, you walk toward carrera 65 and go up through the main entrance of the park. It is one of the few urban nature routes in Medellín that can be done completely by public transportation.

If you come from downtown, you can take the Metro at San Antonio or Parque Berrío station and get off at Universidad. If you come from El Poblado, the route is along line A to Universidad, or by taxi or ride-hailing app to the entrance of the hill. The car trip from El Poblado takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

For La Asomadera, the nearest station is also Universidad or Cisneros, depending on where you enter. The hill is in La Candelaria, so if you are downtown, you can get there on foot.

A practical tip: if you go at night, coordinate your return. The Metro closes at 11:00 at night, so if your hike ends after that time, you will need a taxi or app. The best thing is to finish before 9:30 to catch the Metro without rushing.

Local tips for a good night hike

• The full moon is not always the best company. When there is a full moon, the hill is more visible, but there are also more people. If you seek silence, choose new moon or first quarter nights, when the darkness is deeper and the sky looks better.
• Sunset is the best time to go up. If you start going up around 5:30 in the afternoon, you will reach the viewpoint just as the city is lighting up. It is the golden hour of the hill.
• Bring bags for trash. The hill does not have many collection points in the upper part. If you bring food, go down with your waste.
• Don't go with speakers. Silence is part of the charm of the night on the hill; enjoy the sound of nature.

Historical or contextual introduction

Cerro El Volador is not only a natural icon in Medellín, but it is also steeped in history and legends dating back to pre-Columbian times. This hill, which rises to 2,135 meters above sea level,