Cycling in Medellín: A Laureles Bike Route Guide

The easiest way to start cycling in Medellín is a 5.3 km (3.3-mile) Laureles route that links Segundo Parque, Primer Parque, the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana campus and the Atanasio Girardot sports complex, mostly on protected bike lanes. This guide covers the loop step by step, three alternatives, how tourists can use EnCicla and the local rules of the road.

Why is Laureles a good place to start cycling in Medellín?

Laureles is one of the friendliest neighborhoods for cycling in Medellín: tree-lined streets, a circular street plan built around the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, two neighborhood parks that work as meeting points and a set of bike lanes linking it to the stadium district and to Belén. The free EnCicla bike-share also has stations here.

A garden-city layout that suits bikes

Pedro Nel Gómez drew up the plans for Laureles in 1943 as a garden city: ring roads around the UPB campus, plenty of green space and curving blocks where you rarely see the corner. On a bike that means gentle bends, shade trees and a park every few blocks. Addresses mix Circulares, Transversales, Carreras and Calles, so keep a map app open.

The bike lanes you will use

Carrera 70: a protected lane from the UPB entrance north to the stadium district.
Circular 1: skirts the UPB campus and links it with Primer Parque de Laureles.
Carrera 73: connects Primer Parque with the stadium area; in 2020 the urban collective Más Urbano ranked it among Medellín's five best bike lanes.
Carrera 76: links Segundo Parque de Laureles with Belén's main park; its stretch between Circular 74 and Calle 33A topped that ranking.
La Hueso creek path: runs along the Calle 48 area next to the sports complex, handy for switching from Carrera 70 to Carrera 73.

What is the best cycling route through Laureles for first-timers?

The best first cycling route through Laureles is a loop of about 5.3 km (3.3 miles) that starts at Segundo Parque, passes Primer Parque, circles the UPB campus, follows the Carrera 70 bike lane to the stadium and returns along Carrera 73. At an easy pace it takes 30 to 40 minutes of riding, plus stops.

Living by Armóniko building at night, with plant-filled balconies, the Rocoto sign on the top floor and the Torrealta brewery lit up, across from Segundo Parque de Laureles — Mile zero: the Living by Armóniko building, across from Segundo Parque de Laureles.

Segundo Parque de Laureles (km 0): check brakes and tires, set your saddle height and roll out. For more on the park, read our Segundo Parque de Laureles guide.
Primer Parque de Laureles (about km 0.6): quiet neighborhood streets, some with painted or shared lanes. Take it slow.
Circular 1 and the UPB (about km 1.2): pick up the bike lane around the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana campus. The UPB EnCicla station sits at Carrera 70 and Circular 1.
Carrera 70 to the stadium (about km 2.8): ride north past Estadio metro station into one of Medellín's best-known strips of restaurants and bars. To come back at night, see our La 70 Medellín guide.
Atanasio Girardot sports complex (about km 3.9): loop around the stadium and the velodrome named after Martín Emilio "Cochise" Rodríguez, a legend of Colombian cycling, then take the La Hueso path to Carrera 73.
Back via Carrera 73 (about km 5.3): ride south to Primer Parque and return through the neighborhood to Segundo Parque.

Which other bike routes can you ride from Segundo Parque?

From Segundo Parque de Laureles you have three easy-to-plan alternatives: ride south to Belén on the Carrera 76 bike lane, join the car-free Ciclovía around the stadium on Sundays and public holidays, or climb Cerro El Volador if you want a workout. The table compares distance, difficulty and the best time for each.

Route	Where it goes	Approx. distance	Level	Best time
Parks loop	Segundo Parque, Primer Parque, UPB, stadium and Carrera 73	5.3 km (3.3 mi)	Easy	Weekday mornings, outside rush hour
Laureles to Belén on Carrera 76	Segundo Parque, Carrera 76 bike lane and Belén's main park	1.7 km (1.1 mi) each way	Easy	Morning or mid-afternoon
Stadium Ciclovía	Ring along Calle 50, Carrera 70, Calle 48 and Carrera 73	1.8 km (1.1 mi) from the hotel, plus laps	Easy	Sunday and holiday mornings
Cerro El Volador	Climb from the park entrance to the summit	4 to 5 km (2.5 to 3 mi) from the hotel to the top	Hard	Sundays and holidays, during Ciclovía (check with INDER)

Laureles to Belén on Carrera 76

About 1.7 km each way to Belén's main park. The section along the La Picacha creek, finished in 2021, is two-way, 2.5 m wide and separated from traffic by a curb: a relaxed pre-lunch ride.

Sunday Ciclovía at the stadium

If you have never seen a Colombian Ciclovía, plan for it: on Sundays and public holidays the city sports institute, INDER, closes streets to cars, usually from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The stadium route rings the complex along Calle 50 (Colombia), Carrera 70, Calle 48 (Pichincha) and Carrera 73. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the inner ring of the sports complex has also run as a night Ciclovía. Hours change by season and on event days, so check with INDER Medellín.

The challenge: Cerro El Volador

This is the largest natural park inside Medellín's urban area, more than 100 hectares, with a summit that rises about 80 m (260 ft) above the city. During the Sunday and holiday Ciclovía you ride from the entrance to the top; before you go, check with INDER that the route is running. Getting there from Laureles means crossing busy avenues, so it suits experienced riders.

How can tourists rent a bike in Medellín?

The cheapest option is EnCicla, the public bike-share of the Aburrá Valley metropolitan area: it is free for registered users, has more than 130 stations and lets you register with a valid passport (check the requirements before your trip). Register before your trip, because approval can take up to three business days.

Using EnCicla step by step

Sign up at encicla.metropol.gov.co with your passport, a recent selfie and a photo of your ID. You must be 16 or older and have a working email address. The form also asks for a utility bill issued within the last three months; if you do not have one, check with EnCicla on WhatsApp before your trip.
Wait for approval. As a tourist, your registration must be renewed every eight days.
Check out a bike with a Cívica card and your PIN at automated stations, or through the EnCicla app.
Return it on time: mechanical bike loans last up to one hour, and going over can get your account suspended.

Hours are longest on weekdays, shorter on weekends, and there is no service on public holidays, so check the website before heading out. If you prefer a private rental for the whole day, check brakes, tires and saddle, and ask for a helmet, lights and a lock. For everything else, see getting around Medellín from Laureles.

When is the best time to go cycling in Medellín?

The best time to go cycling in Medellín is on Sunday and public-holiday mornings, when the Ciclovía routes are open. The city averages around 22 °C (72 °F) all year, so temperature is rarely the issue; rain and traffic are what really shape your plans.

Rain: the wetter seasons usually run April to May and October to November. Pack a rain jacket and brake earlier on wet pavement.
Weekdays: skip rush hour and aim for mid-morning.
After dark: from 6 p.m. reflective clothing is required by law; add lights.
Altitude: Medellín sits at roughly 1,495 m (4,900 ft); coming from sea level, start with shorter rides and carry water.

Road rules and safety tips for cycling in Medellín

Under Colombian law a bicycle is a vehicle, so the National Traffic Code applies: ride on the right, no more than one meter from the curb, obey lights and signs, stay off sidewalks and use bike lanes where they exist. Between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. you must wear a reflective vest or jacket.

Stick to protected lanes: on these routes, Carrera 70, Circular 1, Carrera 73 and Carrera 76.
Wear a helmet: rules only require one for competitions, sports training and riders under 18, but in city traffic it is your best protection.
Ride single file in groups and signal turns with your arm.
Watch the crossings with Carrera 70 and Calle 50 (Colombia); in the 2020 ranking, the stretch outside the UPB main gate was among the lowest-rated.
Phone away, lock handy: plan your route before you leave and never leave the bike unlocked.

Ride, then recharge: your base across from Segundo Parque

Staying across from Segundo Parque de Laureles puts you at mile zero for all of these rides. Living by Armóniko is a boutique hotel with 14 apartment-style suites, each with a fully equipped kitchen and a private balcony, plus an included à la carte breakfast and four places to eat in the same building.

A good Sunday: an early Ciclovía ride at the stadium, then back in time for the à la carte breakfast at Botswana Café Bar on the second floor, served until 10 a.m. Prefer brunch? La Hojaldrería is a one-minute walk away and gives guests 10% off its all-day brunch; to stretch, Samaar Yoga is five minutes on foot with exclusive guest rates. See our partner perks for guests and the hotel location across from Segundo Parque de Laureles and what is nearby.

Smiling guest in a black shirt holds a green coffee cup over a breakfast of eggs, bacon, strawberries and passion fruit at Botswana Café Bar inside Living by Armóniko — After the Ciclovía: à la carte breakfast at Botswana Café Bar, included until 10 a.m.

Planning several days in the saddle? Compare the suites with kitchen and balcony at this boutique hotel in Laureles.

Frequently asked questions

Does EnCicla cost anything for tourists?

No. EnCicla is free for registered users, and you can sign up with a valid passport, although the form also asks for a recent utility bill, so confirm the requirements before your trip. Mechanical bikes must be returned within the one-hour loan limit.

Can I ride on the sidewalks in Laureles?

No. Colombia's National Traffic Code bans cycling on sidewalks and pedestrian areas and requires you to use bike lanes where they exist. Where there is no bike lane, keep to the right-hand side of the road.

How long does the Laureles parks loop take by bike?

The loop is about 5.3 km (3.3 miles), which takes 30 to 40 minutes at a relaxed pace. With stops at the parks, the UPB campus and the stadium, allow an hour to an hour and a half.

Where can I eat near Segundo Parque de Laureles after a ride?

Across from the park, Living by Armóniko has four places to eat in the same building, and partner businesses such as La Hojaldrería (one-minute walk) and La Pampa (two-minute walk) offer guest perks.

Is there a Ciclovía in Medellín on public holidays?

Yes. INDER's Ciclovía runs on Sundays and public holidays, usually from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on routes such as the stadium, the river and El Poblado; check with INDER which ones are running. EnCicla, however, does not operate on public holidays.

The guides on this blog are published by Living by Armóniko. Hotel details come from our official information, and facts about Medellín and Antioquia are checked against official sources or reputable media, linked in the text. Spotted something out of date? Email reservas@livingbyarmoniko.com and we will fix it. About this blog.