Top 11 Recommended Mountain Biking Routes in Colombia

Updated: May 2026 · by Frank Spitzer

Top 11 Recommended Mountain Biking Routes in Colombia

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• MTB or Mountain Biking in Colombia
• Mountain Biking Routes in Colombia
• Recommendations
• More Nature Tourism Experiences in Colombia
• Other Recommended Destinations to Practice Extreme Sports
• FAQ
• References
• About the Author

Colombia produced multiple Tour de France winners (Egan Bernal, Nairo Quintana) and has 11 internationally-recognised mountain biking routes — from the high-altitude paths of Cundinamarca and Boyacá through the Coffee Triangle’s rolling hills to the Andean climbs around Medellín. This guide covers all 11 with difficulty, distance and how to access each.

I am Frank Spitzer, founder of Pelecanus Travel (RNT 51402, IAGTO member, Bogotá-based since 2017). We arrange guided mountain biking tours with rental bikes and support vehicle. Send me a message to start planning.

Cycling is a major part of Colombian culture — Sunday Ciclovía in every major city closes roads to cars. This Bogotá overview helps you understand the country’s cycling infrastructure.

MTB or Mountain Biking in Colombia

Colombia is an ideal destination for mountain biking, known as MTB for short. With its diverse landscapes, climates, and terrains, Colombia offers numerous options for mountain biking enthusiasts, ranging from the Caribbean coast to the towering peaks of the Colombian Andes.

Moreover, Colombia boasts basic cartography representing geographical elements such as contour lines, water bodies, transportation networks, and settlements. This is incredibly useful, as it facilitates thousands of visitors in planning their MTB routes with greater ease.

Mountain Biking Routes in Colombia

Mountain biking routes in Colombia are classified based on their level of difficulty, which depends on the terrain, length, and physical effort required. Here are the levels you should consider:

Moderate: The terrain is flat, paved or cobblestoned, clearly marked, with a manageable length and requires minimal physical effort.

• Suitable for all types of cyclists.

Intermediate: The terrain is mostly unpaved, with inclines, moisture, and mud. It requires a considerable physical effort due to its length.

• Not suitable for individuals with mobility issues.

Difficult: The terrain is mostly unpaved, featuring pronounced inclines and demanding physical conditions. The route is usually extensive.

• Not suitable for older adults, individuals with cardiac or respiratory problems, children under 8 years old, or pregnant women.

La Flora Route

Location: Arví Park in the northeast of Medellín, 27 minutes from the city in Antioquia.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. However, it’s recommended to visit this route from May to July when there’s less sun and the climate feels milder than usual.

Distance: 0.99 miles.

Type of Route: From A to B.

Duration: 27 minutes.

Climate: Temperate.

La Flora trail is the most popular trail in Arví Park, winding through pine forests and native vegetation. It offers a gentle descent, allowing you to admire the misty forests surrounding the park, along with mountain ecosystems and wildlife.

This trail connects with the El Arroyuelo trail, leading you to explore the typical landscapes of the area. There’s no specific order to explore the trails in Arví Park, so you can choose your route according to your preference.

Cost: Pedestrian entry is free.

El Arroyuelo Route

Location: Arví Park in the northeast of Medellín, 27 minutes from the city in Antioquia.

Difficulty Level: Moderate.

Distance: 1.3 miles.

Type of Route: From A to B.

Duration: 38 minutes.

Climate: Temperate.

El Arroyuelo trail takes you through the Matasano ravine to its mouth.

Matasano is a hydrographic basin that reveals the waters channeled by ancient communities. Along the way, you may spot butterflies, hummingbirds, as well as flora like giant ferns and native cypress pines.

Cost: Pedestrian entry is free.

El Ocaso Coffee Tour Route

Location: Salento in Quindío, 15,5 miles from Armenia.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. The best time to go is from January to January.

Distance: 5.5 miles.

Type of Route: Round trip.

Duration: 2 hours and 52 minutes.

Climate: Temperate.

The Ocaso Coffee Tour trail takes you to the Ocaso Coffee Shop, offering panoramic views and passing through Colombian coffee plantations, a major tourist attraction in the region.

Along the way, you’ll encounter camping sites and accommodations offering coffee tours, making it a popular region for backpacking, camping, or hiking.

Cost: Pedestrian entry is free.

Cerro Tres Cruces Route

Location: Altavista district in Medellín, Antioquia.

Difficulty Level: Moderate.

Distance: 1.4 miles.

Type of Route: Roundtrip.

Duration: 1 hour and 34 minutes.

Climate: Temperate.

The Cerro Tres Cruces trail is a highly popular route for MTB (Mountain Biking). While you can reach the summit by car from Calle 7 (Loma de los Bernal neighborhood), it’s also accessible on foot or by bike, thanks to clear markings in the area.

Once at the top, you will enjoy the impressive views of the city of Medellín and its characteristic landscape surrounded by mountains. It is really a place to enjoy the panoramic view of the paisa urban landscape.

Cost: Pedestrian entry is free.

La Paloma Viewpoint Route

Location: El Monte neighborhood, Medellín, Antioquia.

Difficulty Level: Difficult.

Distance: 5.2 miles.

Type of Route: Roundtrip.

Duration: 4 hours 10 minutes.

Climate: Temperate.

La Paloma Viewpoint route offers panoramic views of the city of eternal spring and the Aburrá Valley. The highest point of the trail is the lookout or Alto de La Paloma, attracting hikers and cyclists alike to admire the scenery.

Some sections of the trail are clay and can be slippery if it has rained, so be very cautious.

Cost: Pedestrian entry is free.

Kennedy Oriente Route: El Campano – Los Pinos

Location: Santa Marta, Magdalena.

Difficulty Level: Moderate.

Distance: 3.4 miles.

Type of Route: Roundtrip.

Duration: 2 hours.

Climate: Warm.

The Kennedy Oriente trail is ideal for MTB enthusiasts, featuring segments where camping is possible. From the trail at approximately 2,600 meters above sea level, you can enjoy views towards the city of Santa Marta and the regional forests teeming with wildflowers and fauna.

One of the main highlights of this trail, as per visitor ratings, are the views of the world’s highest coastal snowy peaks.

Cost: Pedestrian entry is free.

San Sebastián Reserve to El Salado Park

Location: San Sebastián La Castellana Ecological Reserve, in El Retiro, Antioquia, 19.8 miles from Medellín.

Difficulty Level: Difficult.

Distance: 5.7 miles.

Route Type: From A to B.

Duration: 4 hours, 13 minutes.

Climate: Temperate.

At the San Sebastián Reserve, you’ll start a challenging journey up to the lookout, descending amidst varied vegetation including tropical jungle, rocks, forests, and cascades over 10 meters high.

At one point, you’ll encounter two paths, both accessible and leading to the end of the exploration in the town of Salado, where you’ll find restaurants and shops. It requires immense physical endurance, but the journey will undoubtedly be worthwhile.

Cost: There is no pedestrian entry fee.

Sisga Reservoir Route

Location: Chocontá in Cundinamarca, 42,2 miles from Bogotá.

Difficulty Level: Difficult.

Distance: 16 miles.

Route Type: Circular route.

Duration: 7 hours, 8 minutes.

Climate: Cold.

The Sisga Reservoir trail, also known as “Vueta al Sisga,” is highly demanding. However, the ascents and descents offer spectacular views of the Sisga Dam.

It’s a very quiet and relaxing trail, albeit chilly. Along most of the route, you’ll find high Andean forests with pines and eucalyptus. Additionally, you can camp and engage in sports in certain areas along the route.

Cost: There is no pedestrian entry fee.

Lake Sochagota Route

Location: In Paipa, Boyacá, 47,8 miles from Tunja.

Difficulty Level: Moderate.

Distance: 4.9 miles.

Route Type: Circular route.

Duration: 1 hour and 47 minutes.

Climate: Cold.

Lake Sochagota is a significant tourist artificial reservoir with a trail around it, situated closer to its shore, much like the Sisga Reservoir.

Part of the route follows the road to the lake, a paved road that borders the lake and another that follows the trail near the shore, which is more unstable dirt and gravel. In addition, you will find lodging and restaurants in the surrounding area.

Cost: There is no pedestrian entry fee.

El Pico Route

Location: In Providencia and Santa Catalina (Santa Isabel), San Andrés and Providencia.

Difficulty Level: Moderate.

Distance: 3.7 miles.

Route Type: Round trip.

Duration: 2 hours and 7 minutes.

Climate: Hot.

El Pico or High Peak is the highest point on Providencia Island, where you’ll witness breathtaking views of Providencia Island. The route starts in the Bottom House locality. Once at the summit, you’ll appreciate another lookout overlooking the entire island, the ocean, and its mountainous relief.

At Bottom House, you’ll begin the path to take the El Pico trail, where you’ll encounter a tree with a sculpture of an iguana. It’s one of the finest trails set in a tropical and Caribbean environment.

Cost: There is no pedestrian entry fee.

Valley of the Xilópalos (Tatacoa Desert)

Location: In Villavieja, in the Tatacoa Desert in Huila, 65.8 miles from Neiva, the capital.

Difficulty Level: Moderate.

Distance: 2.7 miles.

Route Type: Circular route.

Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Climate: Hot.

In the trail of the Valley of the Xilópalos, you’ll get to witness breathtaking views of the rocky formations, canyons, and the arid desert landscape.

This trail will lead you through tourist spots like the Snake Pass, the Miss’s Narrow, the Valley of the Beauties, and an astronomical observatory. It’s an ideal route for adventure enthusiasts and warm weather lovers.

Cost: There is no pedestrian entry fee.

Recommendations

To ensure you have a great experience, here are some essentials you should bring along:

• A backpack.
• Comfortable sportswear, caps, and suitable footwear according to the climate.
• Identification documents.
• Water and food.
• A first aid kit.
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
• Personal medications.
• Spare clothing and footwear.
• Local cash.

More Nature Tourism Experiences in Colombia

Here is a list of incredible destinations for hiking and other nature activities in Colombia:

• The Best Hiking Routes in Colombia.
• The Most Representative Flowers in Colombia.
• Cacao Guide in Colombia.

Other Recommended Destinations to Practice Extreme Sports

• The 15 Coolest Extreme Sports in Colombia
• Off-Road Tours in Colombia: The Ultimate Guide to 4×4 Adventures
• Rock Climbing in Suesca – A climbing paradise in Colombia
• The 7 Top Dive Sites in Colombia – Detailed Guide

FAQ

Where is the best mountain biking in Colombia?

Cundinamarca (Bogotá surroundings — La Calera, Sopo, Choachí) for diverse terrain. Coffee Triangle (Salento, Filandia) for cloud forest. Antioquia (Medellín surroundings) for high altitude climbs.

Can I rent mountain bikes?

Yes — major cities have bike rental shops. Bogotá: Sin Carbono, La Bicicletería. Medellín: many shops. Pelecanus arranges premium full-suspension rentals as part of tours.

Is the altitude a problem?

Yes — many routes are 2,500-3,500m. Acclimatise 2-3 days in Bogotá (2,640m) before high-altitude rides. Some routes max out at 4,000m+.

What is the Sunday Ciclovía?

Bogotá’s 120+km of streets close to cars every Sunday 07:00-14:00. The world’s largest weekly cyclist event. Family-friendly. Many other Colombian cities have smaller versions.

Can I follow the Tour de France route?

Yes — Tour de Antioquia stages include some of the most famous climbs (Las Palmas, La Pintada). Multi-day road cycling tours through these regions are increasingly popular.

What gear do I need?

Helmet (mandatory), padded shorts, gloves, sunscreen. Hydration pack for long routes. Bike: full-suspension recommended for technical trails; hardtail OK for less technical.

References

• Colombia Travel Guide – Pelecanus

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