Santa Elena: Silletero Culture, Trails and Nature

Santa Elena lies between the Valle de Aburrá and San Nicolás valleys. The town is closely connected to Silletero culture; forest areas, historic trails and the Cascada Bocaná waterfall add further highlights. You can therefore get to know Santa Elena according to your interests, through the history and traditions of farming families or through nature and historic trails.

Silletero Culture and Its History

Santa Elena is considered the birthplace of Silletero culture. Local farming families keep the tradition of the Desfile de Silleteros at the Feria de las Flores alive. There, they display flowers they have cultivated throughout the year on their Fincas Silleteras. The procession thus connects local agriculture and the Silletas—the carried floral arrangements—with a widely recognized local tradition.

One significant cultural landmark is the Monumento a la Familia Silletera. Created by Marina Piedrahita in 1997, the bronze sculpture depicts the Silletero family and its tradition. If you are interested in Santa Elena’s cultural heritage, the monument offers a connection to the family history that also plays a role in the procession.

The Sendero de cargueros y tradición silletera tells the story of the cargueros: from Indigenous peoples and people of African descent to farmers and Silleteros, particularly those from Santa Elena. The trail brings together several historical groups and the special connection between Silletero tradition and the town.

Historic Trails and Nature Spots

The Camino Montevivo – San Ignacio is an old mule trail. It is also known as Circuito El Cartucho and Camino de José María Córdova. Another historic trail can be found in the Bosques de La Aguada, where well-preserved stone paths dating from 1800 remain. The forests are visited by nature lovers and hiking groups. The Camino is notable for its historic name and alternate names, while La Aguada is known for its preserved stone paths and forest.

At Parque Arví, visitors can experience the regional flora and fauna and walk or cycle through the forest. The park is accessible from Santa Elena by Metrocable. The Metrocable route passes through more than 17,000 hectares of natural forest. This means a visit to the park also offers views of the forest landscape along the way. Check the operator’s latest information before travelling.

Cascada Bocaná is on the Quebrada Santa Elena stream, in the central part of its watershed. The waterfall is about 20 meters high and sits at an elevation of approximately 1,950 meters. It is visited during dry periods for its natural swimming area. If you plan to visit the waterfall, bear in mind this seasonal context.

Fincas and Farming Traditions

Granja de José is an agrotourism and historic site showcasing Santa Elena’s Silletero and farming culture. A visit covers the history of the Granja and the Desfile de Silleteros, flower and vegetable cultivation, muleteers and old trails. The history of the Quebrada Santa Elena and Silleta-making classes are also among the topics covered. Check the visiting arrangements in advance if you would like to include the Granja in your travel plans.

Around 17 Fincas Silleteras run by farming families can currently be visited; they preserve the tradition of Silletero culture. This is an approximate figure. If you would like to visit a particular finca, confirm the arrangements before your trip.

Getting to Santa Elena

Public minibuses operated by Trasancoop de Santa Elena run along the Vía Santa Elena to the central park. In Medellín, they depart from the city center on Carrera Córdoba, between Colombia and La Playa streets. Check the latest schedules before travelling. Together with the Metrocable connection to Parque Arví, this gives you two practical points of reference for getting there and planning a nature outing.

Discover more destinations: La Concha, El Pantano, Zaino, Guatapé, Dabeiba, Turbo, Jardin, Pueblorrico.

For the broader travel overview: Antioquia.