As one of the best hikes near Medellín, the impressive Cerro Tusa hike offers a challenging adventure for locals and visitors alike. A short distance from Venecia, the Cerro Tusa natural pyramid towers above the landscape and attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over. After eating breakfast in town, we made our way over to Cerro Tusa for awe-inspiring views and an unforgettable day in the mountains.
Last weekend, I travelled from my current home base in Medellín down to the pueblo (town) of Venecia. When I stayed in Medellín last year, I learned about Cerro Tusa but didn’t have a chance to visit. So I was thrilled to finally cross this one off my list. After arriving in Venecia, the start of the impressive Cerro Tusa hike is only a few minutes away. From the base of the mountain, it’s a short and steep climb up to the top of the world’s tallest natural pyramid. Though from what I can tell, the newly improved trail is much less steep and intimidating than the previous route. That being said, it’s still physically demanding. If you’re visiting Colombia and looking to stretch your legs, plan a trip to Cerro Tusa and experience one of the best hikes near Medellín!
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Table of Contents
About Cerro Tusa Hike — World’s Biggest Natural Pyramid
Location: Venecia, Antioquia, Colombia
Distance: 7 km out and back
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 650 metres elevation gain
Time: 4 – 5 hours
Features: Cerro Tusa is a spectacular sight towering high above the Antioquia countryside. The Cerro Tusa trail has been revamped with switchbacks, clay steps, and ropes leading steeply up to the summit. You’ll find two wooden platforms with spectacular views of the mountains. With a local guide, visitors gain insights into Indigenous culture and traditions as well. At the top of Cerro Tusa, enjoy a packed lunch and soak up panoramic views once the clouds have lifted.
Cerro Tusa Trail Map
Should I Hike Cerro Tusa?
Before planning your trip, it’s important to know that Cerro Tusa isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re not much of a hiker or are afraid of heights, you might not enjoy this tough and steep hike with multiple moments of type-two fun (i.e. tough in the moment, fun in retrospect). Cerro Tusa’s hiking trail demands a level of fitness to gain over 600 metres in elevation, most of which is in the final kilometre up to the summit. Adding to the adventure, Cerro Tusa sits at 1,423 metres (4,669 feet) above sea level which can cause challenges for visitors from lower altitudes. Be prepared for steep hiking with the use of ropes to reach the summit on this demanding day hike. If you’re up for the challenge, you won’t regret this chance to hike in Colombia.
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Finding the Cerro Tusa Trailhead
To reach Cerro Tusa from Medellín, you’ll first need to travel about 1.5 hours by car to the town of Venecia. The same trip can take 2.5 hours by public bus. From the town centre, the Cerro Tusa Trailhead is around 5 km or 15 minutes west of Venecia. You can either walk from Venecia to the trailhead, which takes between 30 to 40 minutes, or conserve your energy by getting a ride in a taxi or tuk tuk. Joe and I travelled in a comfortable chartered van, organized by Medellín Bungee, which took about 1.5 hours to Venecia.
Cerro Tusa Hike — Best Day Hikes in Colombia
I was very excited to FINALLY experience Cerro Tusa with my friend Joe. For starters, we met Alejo from Medellín Bungee at Terminal del Norte (North Terminal) around 6:00am to leave Medellín. On this fairly cool morning, we travelled along the winding roads of Antioquia with two other hikers from Medellín. Around 7:40am, we reached Venecia and sat down for a typical breakfast of scrambled eggs, cheese, and tortilla. Fuelled for the day, we left Venecia for Cerro Tusa around 8:15am and met our local guide, Paulo Cano. She showed us an Indigenous graveyard and an archaeological site for animal sacrifices at the base of Cerro Tusa. Then we started our long-awaited hike.
All visitors must register with the park authority. We entered the Cerro Tusa trailhead in the forest, over a small wooden bridge, and up several newly constructed stairs. Gently walking along the new trail, we passed half-constructed buildings which are being developed for tourism, possibly gift shops, small restaurants, and toilets for visitors. Passing through cow pasture and open fields, it was almost time to begin the steep trek to the summit. Before we could enter, park staff shared rules and information with our group and snapped our photo.
Hiking up Cerro Tusa is a challenge. With new steps and guide ropes, this is certainly an improvement over the previous route. Even so, I climbed relatively slowly on the ascent, pausing briefly to catch my breath as needed. If you visit after recent rain, hiking Cerro Tusa would be very slippery and even more difficult. On the way up, we didn’t see much except thick clouds and fog blocking our views of the valley. After passing two wooden platforms, our group reached the summit after about three hours of hiking. Surrounded by clouds, it felt like we were on top of the world! After our lunch break and a few obligatory photos, we journeyed back down the mountain with far less huffing and puffing, and were treated to spectacular panoramic views from the mountainside. Plan for somewhere around 3 hours up and 2 hours down on the Cerro Tusa hike.
Read next: Your Complete Guide to Hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park
Cerro Tusa Colombia Tour — Medellín Bungee
Cerro Tusa visitors must hike with a local guide. If you’re looking for options, we had a very positive experience with Alejo from Medellín Bungee, who arranged transportation to and from Medellín and our local guide, Paula Cano. As an experienced tour organizer, Alejo was very attentive to our group’s needs and quite patient as I huffed and puffed my way to the summit. Thanks also to Joe from Balu Coliving for coordinating logistics with Medellín Bungee. For our day hike, we each paid 120,000 Colombian pesos (COP) (about CAD $41), which covered all transportation and guide fees and included insurance coverage. We left Medellín around 6:00am and were back before 4:00pm. Overall, a very smooth operation and I would definitely hike again with Medellín Bungee!
What To Bring — Hiking in Colombia
If you’re travelling with Medellín Bungee, you will probably want to bring a warm jacket or long-sleeve shirt for the early morning bus ride. I appreciated having my AirPods to listen to music on the drive. On these hiking day trips, bring a change of clothes and sandals (like my Birkenstocks) for your return trip. After a sweaty hike, it felt great to change into fresh clothes before driving 1.5 – 2 hours back to Medellín. I carried a day pack with my change of clothes and packed lunch, and also brought my rain jacket, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, and battery pack for my phone / camera.
When hiking in Colombia, most visitors will appreciate sturdy hiking boots or trail runners. My On Cloudwander shoes worked perfectly for Cerro Tusa. Wear comfortable hiking clothing like quick-dry shorts and a t-shirt. You may want to pack lightweight gloves to protect your hands on the ropes, or you can buy a pair for 5,000 COP in Venecia.
Read next: 10 Day Hiking Essentials: What to Bring on a Hike
Know Before You Go
Tour Agency & Local Guide: Even if you plan to arrive on your own, you must hire a local guide for Cerro Tusa. For extra convenience, consider joining an organized tour with Medellín Bungee or another eco-tour company.
Transportation: Our transport from Medellín to Venecia and Cerro Tusa was included in the tour with Medellín Bungee. It’s possible to take the public bus to Venecia.
Fitness Level: Cerro Tusa is a challenging day hike with steep inclines and fairly rugged terrain. Visitors should be in good physical condition and have experience with similar hikes. Cerro Tusa is suitable for visitors with knee issues or injuries.
Passport: You will need your passport number to register for the hike. Carry a copy of your passport (I do not recommend bringing your passport).
Weather: Cerro Tusa can experience sudden weather changes. Be prepared for anything from intense sun to heavy rain, and carry a rain jacket with you.
Start Early: Avoid the heat of the day by starting your hike early, and ensure that you have enough daylight to complete the hike safely.
Leave No Trace: If you pack it in, pack it out. Stay on the designated trails and respect wildlife, such as animals and plants, to preserve the natural ecosystem.
Navigation: You must visit Cerro Tusa with a local guide who knows the area, so navigating unfamiliar terrain will not be an issue.
Altitude: Be aware of the altitude and the potential for altitude sickness, especially if you’re arriving from a lower altitude. Take it slow, and if you feel unwell, consider turning back.
Cultural Respect: You will experience aspects of Indigenous culture and traditions with your local guide. Be respectful of traditional practices, knowledge, and traditions.
Read next: How To Make Your Outdoor Adventures More Sustainable
Cerro Tusa Rules & Regulations
A local park authority will provide orientation information to visitors before your hike up to the summit. Here are some Cerro Tusa rules and regulations from the sign posted at the base on the mountain:
Age Limit: Visitors must be over the age of 13 to enter Cerro Tusa. Visitors between the ages of 13 and 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cerro Tusa Summit: Only 30 people are permitted at any one time (up to 120 people per day). Visitors can only spend 40 minutes on top of Cerro Tusa.
Viewing Decks: Only 10 people are permitted on the viewing decks at any one time.
Stay on the Trail: All visitors must stay on the marked trail up to the summit.
Registration: All visitors must register with park authorities and provide insurance information before hiking.
Insurance: All visitors are required to have insurance before hiking Cerro Tusa.
Orientation: Parks staff control entry to Cerro Tusa at the base of the hill and provide an orientation before visitors hike to the summit. Visitors will be counted and permitted based on the allowable numbers each day.
Entry times: Visitors are able to enter between 6:00am to 11:00am from Monday to Sunday, or until maximum capacity has been reached.
Group Size: Groups of up to 10 hikers require one guide, groups of 11 to 20 hikers require two guides, and groups of 21 to 30 hikers require three guides. Groups of more than 30 hikers are not permitted.
Cerro Tusa Review — Best Hike Near Medellín
Cerro Tusa offers an unforgettable day hike in Colombia’s mountainous province of Antioquia. If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, with spectacular views of Colombian countryside, Cerro Tusa is definitely one for your list. A short distance from Medellín, Cerro Tusa’s distinctive pyramid-like features and rugged hiking trails offer visitors a beautiful and challenging outdoor activity. As one of the best hikes near Medellín, don’t miss your chance to experience the phenomenal Cerro Tusa!
Have you hiked Cerro Tusa in Colombia? What was your experience like? Did you find this post helpful? 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.
