A waterfall hike starts right outside Medellín. This half-day plan mixes a real mountain trek at Chorro De Las Campanas with a second nature stop in Envigado, while keeping everything tight enough to fit into your schedule. Start at 9:00 am in El Poblado and head out for about 5 hours total.

What I like most is that it’s built around walking time, not just scenery. You get hiking in the mountains (including about 2.5 hours on the trail) and you’re also fed—snacks plus coffee—without you hunting for your own meal plan. Plus, the guides are the kind of steady, hands-on crew you want when the ground gets slick.

The only real catch: this is not a stroll. Expect mud and water, and you’ll want a moderate fitness level to enjoy the hike.

Key things to know before you go

• Chorro De Las Campanas includes admission and a big payoff: time near a large waterfall plus roughly 2.5 hours of hiking
• Mud and wet footing are part of the deal, so waterproof footwear or rubber boots can make a huge difference
• Small-group feel (max 25 travelers) with guides who focus on group safety on rough terrain
• Envigado reserve keeps it balanced: about 2 hours there, with free admission on this stop
• Snacks and coffee are included, so you’re not planning meals mid-excursion
• Weather matters: if conditions are poor, you’ll be moved to another date or refunded

Why This Half-Day Waterfall Tour Fits Medellín So Well

If you only have a short window in Medellín, this is the kind of tour that makes your morning count. You’re out the door at 9:00 am from El Poblado, then back at the meeting point at the end—about 5 hours in total. That’s a practical length: long enough for a proper hike, short enough that you still have the rest of the day for city plans.

The other thing I like is the pacing. This tour isn’t “walk all day” or “sit and wait.” It’s a mountain-focused morning with a first stop built around a waterfall, then a second nature stop to keep the day from feeling like one long slog. You also travel by air-conditioned vehicle, which matters in Medellín traffic and heat.

And because the group is capped at 25 travelers, you usually get more attention than you would on bigger bus tours. In the reviews, guides like Alejandro and Sebastian come up repeatedly for being helpful and patient—especially when the trail gets rugged.

Chorro De Las Campanas: Your Mountain Waterfall Moment

The heart of the experience is your time at Chorro De Las Campanas, where you’ll spend about 3 hours at the site and get roughly 2.5 hours of hiking included. There’s also admission included, so you’re not juggling ticket lines or figuring out logistics on the ground.

What makes this stop feel different is the way the waterfall is integrated into the walk. This isn’t just “look at water from a distance.” You’ll have a chance to refresh yourself inside the waterfall area in the mountains—exactly the kind of break that makes the hike feel worth it, even when your shoes are a little damp.

On the trail, the reviews make one point clear: the conditions can be messy. One person straight-up advised paying extra for rubber boots. Another note said to be prepared for walking through plenty of mud and water. Translation: you can plan your day around the expectation that you’ll get wet, and that you might come back smelling like river rock and hiking grit.

The Trail Reality: Mud, Water, and Staying Confident

This tour earns its five-star energy because the guides help you stay safe and comfortable when the terrain gets uneven. Alejandro and Sebastian are both praised for being attentive, patient, and focused on group safety. There’s also mention of a backup guide stepping in and assisting—useful on a wet, slippery route where one wrong step can turn a fun day into a rough one.

So here’s my practical take: treat this as a moderately physical hike. The tour is designed for people who are used to walking on uneven ground. If you’re coming from a day of couch-and-coffee sightseeing, you’ll feel it.

I also recommend you plan for gear that won’t sabotage you. Reviews specifically mention rubber boots and even gloves for ladies who want to protect their hands. If you care about keeping your manicure intact, this hike is not the place to show off fancy nails. It’s a trail day—mud will happen, and water will happen, so dress like you mean it.

What to do with that info: if you’re debating between hiking shoes you like and rubber boots you can tolerate, choose practicality. You’ll enjoy the waterfall part far more when your feet aren’t constantly squishing and freezing.

Envigado Natural Reserve: Free Admission and a Good Second Chapter

After the Chorro De Las Campanas hike, you head to Envigado. Expect travel time of about 45 minutes to 1 hour each way from Poblado to the natural reserve. The guided time at Envigado is about 2 hours, and the best news here is that admission is free for this stop.

I like this second leg because it keeps the tour from feeling like a one-note experience. The first stop is intense and wet and centered on the waterfall. Envigado is a different feel—another chunk of nature time, with walking that’s more about extending the outdoors rather than repeating the hardest conditions.

Also, the overall structure makes sense. You’re spending the morning getting your waterfall payoff and hiking hours, then you return for the rest of your day. That’s a smart way to do nature from a city without turning your trip into a marathon.

Guides, Group Size, and the Human Touch

With a maximum of 25 travelers, this tour tends to feel more like a group experience than a factory excursion. I’m especially taken by the way the reviews highlight guide behavior, not just the scenery. Sebastian gets credit for being helpful and patient with someone who wasn’t as experienced with rugged hiking, and multiple notes mention guides being attentive to safety.

In plain terms, this matters because wet terrain changes quickly. If someone is unsure, a good guide helps the whole group keep moving without drama. And if you’re the type who likes asking questions, you’ll likely get more back-and-forth here than on tours where everyone vanishes into their own corner of the bus.

Snacks, Coffee, and What the Included Food Means

One of the simplest value wins here is that you get snacks (sandwich) and coffee included. That doesn’t sound glamorous until you’re standing in nature with a schedule and an empty stomach. This way, you don’t have to plan a separate meal stop or pay city prices mid-tour.

Because the tour runs about 5 hours, food is not just a nice extra—it’s the difference between feeling cranky at hour three versus staying upbeat on the trail. And since you’re walking in mud and water, you’ll burn energy whether you realize it or not.

Price and Value: Does $49.99 Make Sense?

At $49.99 per person, this tour looks fairly priced for what you get—especially if you compare it to the cost of transportation plus guides plus entry fees you’d otherwise have to arrange. The included items add up:

• Air-conditioned vehicle for transport
• Tour guide (with safety focus on the hike)
• Snacks sandwich and coffee
• All fees and taxes
• Admission included at Chorro De Las Campanas
• Envigado admission free

You’re also getting a structured half-day with a fixed start time. In a place like Medellín, that kind of organization has real value because it saves you the effort of coordinating your own route and timing.

One more practical note: this type of tour is often planned ahead. The booking pattern here averages about 15 days in advance, which suggests it’s popular. If you want a spot without last-minute stress, book sooner rather than later.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Should Rethink It)

This hike fits best if you check two boxes:

1) You’re okay with moderate fitness and walking on uneven, wet ground.

2) You want a guided nature experience that prioritizes safety and helps you handle the terrain.

It’s not ideal for people who need a flat, dry, low-effort walk. Reviews repeatedly connect the experience to rugged hiking conditions. Even someone who was fit at age 53 still stressed that it’s not for non-hikers, which tells me the difficulty is real enough that you shouldn’t downplay it.

On the other hand, if you’re an active person who doesn’t mind mud and water, you’ll likely love it. The waterfall payoff and the short-but-serious hike time is exactly the kind of day-trip format that works for first-timers in Medellín who want nature without committing to a full-day expedition.

Weather, Timing, and the Day-Of Plan

The tour start time is 9:00 am, with the meeting point at Cl 10 #43c-13, El Poblado, Medellín. It ends back at the meeting point, so you don’t need to worry about where you’ll be dropped off after the hike.

This is also a weather-dependent experience. If conditions are poor, the tour can be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That matters because wet trails can be fun and beautiful, but unsafe weather can change the plan.

Also, you’ll get confirmation at booking time, and the meeting point is near public transportation. That’s helpful if you’re already using the metro or buses in Medellín and want an easy walk to your departure spot.

Should You Book the Half Day Waterfall Tour from Medellín?

I’d book it if you want a true waterfall hike day with a guide, don’t mind wet footing, and you’re comfortable with mud + water on a rugged trail. The biggest reasons are practical: the waterfall stop includes admission, the second stop adds another block of nature time at Envigado with free admission, and you’re supported by guides like Alejandro and Sebastian who show up in reviews as patient and safety-minded.

I’d hesitate if you’re looking for an easy walk, or if wet terrain is a deal-breaker for you. This tour is not about effortless strolling. It’s about earning that waterfall moment with your legs.

If you go, take one piece of advice seriously from the reviews: plan for rubber boots (or at least waterproof, grippy footwear). Your future self—dry socks and fewer regrets—will thank you.

FAQ

How long is the half day waterfall tour?

It runs for about 5 hours total.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at Cl 10 #43c-13, El Poblado, Medellín.

Is admission included for the stops?

Yes. Admission is included at Chorro De Las Campanas. Admission for Envigado is free on this tour.

What fitness level do I need?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level. The hiking includes rugged conditions.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience depends on good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.