Avila National Park, Caracas

Best destinations :
Level of training, none: Quebrada Quintero ( take the right instead of the left when you get to the path that takes to Sabasnieves). This place is one of my favorites since there's a beautiful waterfall.

Level of training, medium: Sabasnieves and Quebrada Las Adjuntas. To get to this last one walk straight ahead after you've passed Sabasnieves and when you get to a crossroads take the left. This place is one of my favorites also.

Level of training, high: La Silla, Naiguatá, Pico Oriental. Since these are the tops or peaks of the Mountain, you get to see the city at one side and the sea at the other. You may need to camp for a night or two if you're going to these places.

El Avila National Park

The park is in the North Center of Venezuela, separating the city of Caracas and its environs of the Caribbean Sea. Includes the highest peaks of the Coast Range, formed by the shock of the South-American and the Caribbean plaques. Its higher heights are the Caracas saddle, whose eastern peak rises to 2640 m on the sea level, and the imposing Naiguatá peak to 2765 m of height. Both peaks comprise of the Caracas and Central Coast geography.

In first plane, to the rigth, the Eastern Peak; soon the master row and at the end to the left the Naiguata Peak.

The first ascent to the Eastern peak to the saddle, was did by Alexander Von Humboldt and Amadeo Bompland in 1800. This two famous explorers made the first height measurements and atmospheric pressure in the top of the peak. They collected all tipe of insects and vegetation for its later classification. The route that they followed is similar to the actual by Sabas Nieves-La Silla-Eastern Peak.

Currently there are many different paths to get to El Avila, it is strongly recommended to register your name and last name before you start your journey, as well as to be accompanied by a local who knows the mountain paths and water sources. Even though the paths are easy to find, it is also easy to get lost in your first attempt.

Source: Xcursionismo Xtremo