# Riding Medellín's Metrocable: the lines, the views and the way to Parque Arví > Medellín's Metrocable is a network of 6 cable car lines that carry residents up the steep hillsides as part of the city's public transport, and riding one is the cheapest, most memorable view of the city you can get. For a first ride, take Line K from Acevedo up to Santo Domingo, then continue on Line L to Parque Arví on any day except Tuesday. Source: https://www.ilovemedellin.net/metro-cable-medellin/ Last checked: 2026-10-20 Lines: K, J, L, H, M and P, linked to the metro and the Ayacucho tram Best first ride: Line K, Acevedo to Santo Domingo, then Line L to Parque Arví Tickets: Regular lines are included in an integrated metro trip; Line L has its own fare Hours: Most lines from early morning to late evening; Line L about 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Avoid: Weekday rush hours, when residents are commuting Line L: Usually closed on Tuesdays for maintenance ## Why ride the Metrocable Medellín fills a narrow valley, and many of its neighborhoods climb steep hillsides where roads are slow and buses struggle. In 2004 the city opened Line K, a cable car built as everyday public transport rather than a tourist ride, with a fixed schedule and connections to the metro. It cut long, steep journeys for the hillside communities it served, and the network has grown to 6 lines since. For visitors, the cable cars are a way to see the city as a whole: the river and the metro line far below, towers in the center, brick homes stacked up the slopes and green mountains all around. They're also a reminder of how the city has worked to connect its poorer districts. When we first wrote about the Metrocable in 2012, our advice was simple: buy a metro ticket, ride up for the view and come back down. It still holds. ## The 6 lines - **Line K (2004): Acevedo to Santo Domingo.** The original and the classic first ride. It starts at Acevedo station on metro Line A and climbs about 2 kilometers over the northeastern hills, with stops at Andalucía and Popular, to Santo Domingo. It connects there with Line L. - **Line L (2010): Santo Domingo to Arví.** The Cable Arví continues from Santo Domingo over the ridge and above the forest to [Parque Arví](/parque-arvi/), with no stops in between. It's the most scenic ride and the only one with its own separate fare. - **Line J (2008): San Javier to La Aurora.** Starts at San Javier, the end of metro Line B, and climbs the western hills above [Comuna 13](/comuna-13-medellin/), with stops at Juan XXIII and Vallejuelos. It's about 2.7 kilometers long and gives wide views over the west of the city. - **Line H (2016): Oriente to Villa Sierra.** A short line of about 1.4 kilometers from the end of the Ayacucho tram, climbing the eastern hills. - **Line M (2019): Miraflores to Trece de Noviembre.** Another short line from the Ayacucho tram, about 1 kilometer long, with views back over downtown. - **Line P (2021): Acevedo to El Progreso.** The newest line, running west from Acevedo through Doce de Octubre and SENA into the northwestern hills. ## Tickets and transfers The cable cars are part of the city's integrated transport system, run by Metro de Medellín. On every line except L, your trip is included when you transfer from the metro or tram, so you don't buy a separate ticket. Line L to Arví charges its own fare, separate from the regular trip. You can pay with a single-trip ticket from a station ticket office or with a rechargeable Cívica card, which is quicker and makes transfers easier. Our [getting around Medellín](/getting-around-medellin/) guide explains the options. ## When to go Most lines run from early in the morning until late evening; Line K, for example, starts at about 4:15 a.m. on weekdays and runs until after 10:00 p.m. On Sundays and holidays the cable cars start later, from about 8:30 a.m. for Lines K and L and 9:00 a.m. for the others. Line L keeps shorter hours, roughly 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (from 8:30 a.m. on Sundays and holidays), and it's usually closed on Tuesdays for maintenance. Each line also closes for about a week a year for major maintenance; Line L's 2026 closure was in late September. Check the Metro de Medellín website or its social channels before you go. Avoid weekday rush hours, early morning and late afternoon. These lines are how thousands of people get to work and school, and lines at the stations can be long. Mid-morning on a weekday is ideal. On weekends and holidays, expect a queue for Line L at Santo Domingo. ## A suggested half day 1. Take metro Line A north to Acevedo. 2. Change to Line K and ride up to Santo Domingo. Sit facing downhill for the best view. 3. Change to Line L and ride to Arví (not on Tuesdays). Spend a couple of hours on the trails or at the food stalls by the station. 4. Ride back down the same way. If you're in the west of the city, combine Line J with a visit to Comuna 13 instead. ## Tips - Keep your phone and camera secure, especially when getting on and off. - Stay around the stations and main streets if you get off at the top of a line and don't know the area. The neighborhoods are residential, not tourist zones. - Give priority to residents, older people and people with children; it's their daily commute. - Bring a warm layer for Line L and Parque Arví, which are much cooler than the city. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which Metrocable line has the best views? Line K gives the classic view over the valley and the northeastern hills, and Line L adds the ride over the forest to Parque Arví. Line J offers similar views over the west of the city. ### Do I need a separate ticket for the Metrocable? Not for most lines, which are included when you transfer from the metro or tram. Line L to Parque Arví has its own fare. ### Is the Metrocable safe for tourists? The cable cars and stations are busy, staffed and widely used by visitors. Take normal care with your belongings and stay near the stations if you don't know the neighborhood. ### When does Line L to Parque Arví run? Usually from about 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., from 8:30 a.m. on Sundays and holidays, and it's normally closed on Tuesdays for maintenance. Check schedules and service updates on the [Metro de Medellín website](https://www.metrodemedellin.gov.co).