El Avila National Park

El Ávila, officially Waraira Repano, is the coastal range standing directly along the northern edge of Caracas, rising from the city at around nine hundred metres to Pico Naiguatá at two thousand seven hundred, with the Caribbean immediately on the other side. It has been a national park since 1958 and functions as the city's lung and its exercise ground, with a network of trails from every northern district and a cable car climbing to the Hotel Humboldt on the ridge.

What you actually see

• The cable car - the teleférico climbing from the city to the ridge at Ávila.
• The Hotel Humboldt - the 1956 tower hotel standing on the summit ridge.
• The trail network - routes up from every northern district of the city.
• The two-sea view - Caracas on one side and the Caribbean on the other.

When to go

December to April is the dry season with the clearest views. Mornings are clearest before cloud builds on the ridge. Weekends bring large numbers onto the trails.

Honest expectations

Cloud closes the summit views frequently, especially in the afternoon. Trails are steep and the climb from the city is a serious walk. Cable car operation has been intermittent at times.

Nearby

Galipan is on the ridge, and Caracas is below.