The first thing you notice arriving in Caracas is El Ávila. This imposing mountain rises about 2,000 meters above sea level — roughly 1,000 meters above the city floor — and dominates the northern skyline. It is a national park, officially Parque Nacional Waraira Repano, and thousands of caraqueños hike its trails daily to exercise and escape the city heat.
The most popular route starts at Sabas Nieves and climbs through cloud forest to the Pico Ávila summit. The teleférico (cable car) from Maripérez offers a lazier alternative, carrying you up to the Hotel Humboldt at the top. On clear days you can see the Caribbean coast from the summit. Go early — the mountain often clouds over by midday.