A city surrounded by hills and mountains, I was drawn to Medellín because of its green and vibrant reputation, about an hour’s flight from Colombia’s capital of Bogotá. When I arrived for the first time a year ago, I was set on exploring hiking trails in and around what they call The City of Eternal Spring. Within city limits, Cerro de las Tres Cruces is a popular hike in Medellín for locals and visitors alike. Don’t miss one of the best views of Medellín’s impressive cityscape!
Last year, I spent a couple of months living and working remotely in Medellín, Colombia, one of the top destinations for digital nomads worldwide. I enjoyed my time in Colombia and decided to return this year to avoid the dark and cold Canadian winter (though I’ll confess, I do miss it sometimes). While hiking Cerro de las Tres Cruces last week with a group of friends, I was reminded of how impressive this short (and steep!) trail really is. For some of the best hiking in Medellín, add the Hill of the Three Crosses to your itinerary!
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About Cerro de las Tres Cruces / Hill of the Three Crosses
Location: Medellín, Colombia
Distance: 2.6 km out and back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (due to steepness)
Elevation: 320 metres of elevation gain
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Dog-friendly: Yes.
Features: The Cerro de las Tres Cruces hike is a short and steep dirt trail leading up to three crosses on top of the hill. Along the way, visitors and locals sweat their way up the strenuous route, with vendors offering fresh fruit juices and snacks. If you’ve got excess energy on top of the hill, check out the outdoor fitness gym and the panoramic views of the city of Medellín.
Cerro de las Tres Cruces Map
Finding the Trailhead
The Cerro de las Tres Cruces Trailhead is located in the southwestern part of Medellín, in Belén’s La Loma de Los Bernal neighbourhood. An upper middle-class area, Belén is generally considered to be a safe neighbourhood. If you’re travelling from Laureles or El Poblado, the most convenient public transportation is either a taxi or Uber. Be prepared to pay somewhere around 10,000 – 12,000 COP (between CAD $3.50 – $5.00) for transportation. Travelling from Laureles takes around 15 to 20 minutes in an Uber. Click to find the Tres Cruces Trailhead on Google Maps.
Pssssst. Before or after your hike, enjoy a delicious and refreshing fruit juice from Berry Nice Bowl at the start of Cerro de las Tres Cruces. In case you’re wondering, passion fruit (maracuya) juice is my favourite!
Cerro de las Tres Cruces Hike — Best Medellín Hikes
Don’t underestimate the Cerro de las Tres Cruces hike. While the trail isn’t long, some steep sections become more challenging in the day’s heat. Start your trek up to the Hill of the Three Crosses on the hard-packed dirt path with sporadic built-in steps and rocks to maneuver around. You’ll gain over 300 metres in elevation from the trailhead to the top of the hill, with a brief plateau at the halfway point. For a comfortable trip, I suggest wearing supportive trail runners or hiking boots up the Hill of the Three Crosses. Or if you’re feeling up to it, you could even go barefoot like my fellow Canadian, Chase!
Most visitors reach the top of Cerro de las Tres Cruces in 40 minutes or so, with the entire hike taking somewhere between 1 to 2 hours for 2.6 km up and down. Time needed depends on your personal fitness level and altitude comfort, so have the hike that’s right for you! One thing’s for certain: You should plan to visit on a clear day to find those panoramic city views. And if you’re feeling energetic at the top, there’s an outdoor fitness gym with pull-up bars and other equipment, or you can simply rest and enjoy the view. If you forgot to bring food, head to the little restaurant to grab a drink and a bite. Honestly, the watermelon slices at the halfway point hit the spot on the way down. 10/10 – highly recommend!
Read next: Cerro Tusa Hike in Colombia: World’s Largest Natural Pyramid
What To Bring — Hiking in Medellín
You won’t want to bring too much with you on Cerro de las Tres Cruces. I typically carry a day pack with my water bottle and a little snack, just in case. That being said, there are several concession stands with fresh-pressed fruit juice, fruits, and other snacks. Bring a little cash if you plan to buy a drink or snack en route. In the afternoon, you will likely want to have sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and even a hat. On my feet, I wore a pair of Icebreaker Merino socks and On Cloudwander shoes. Pick something with decent tread as the hard-packed dirt trail can be slippery and steep. With an impressive vantage point from the top, you’ll want to bring a camera to snap a photo or two.
Note: While it’s less likely to happen during the day, I have heard reports of visitors having their phones and other valuables stolen on Cerro de las Tres Cruces. While I haven’t personally had any issues, I still suggest hiking during the day (not in the evening or nighttime).
Know Before You Go — Cerro Tres Cruces Hike
Transportation: Depending on where you’re starting in the city, the most efficient and cost-effective transportation option will be a taxi or Uber. Budget extra time if you’re travelling during peak traffic times.
Water: Bring a water bottle to avoid single-use plastic.
Toilet: No toilet or outhouse near the trailhead. I haven’t used toilets at the top of the hill, but there are supposed to be.
When To Hike: In the City of Eternal Spring, you can hike Cerro de las Tres Cruces any time of the year. However, I would postpone your visit if it’s raining, as the trail can become quite slippery. As a popular hiking trail, you won’t be the only person on the trail during the day.
Guide: No hiking guide needed for Cerro de las Tres Cruces.
Safety: I have always felt very safe on Cerro de las Tres Cruces. However, there have been reports of robbery, theft, and violence in the past, so I do not recommend evening or nighttime hiking. Leave your valuables at home.
Navigation: With an obvious hiking trail and many other people around, it’s next to impossible to get lost on Cerro de las Tres Cruces. Download the hiking route on AllTrails.
Leave No Trace: If you pack it in, pack it out. Don’t leave any garbage on the trails (including fruit peels or organic waste) and use the provided bins for waste. Take care of the natural environment and respect the flora and fauna.
Be Considerate: While this hike isn’t a quiet walk through the forest, it’s still important to be considerate of others. Leave the loud speaker at home and enjoy the sounds of nature. Note that smoking, consuming alcohol, or consuming drugs is not permitted.
Read next: 10 Day Hiking Essentials: What to Bring on a Hike
Have you hiked Cerro de las Tres Cruces in Medellín, Colombia? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below!
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Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
