Inland from the Caribbean coastline, the Northern Mountains of Venezuela offer serenity and adventure for varied interests. Come for climbing, hiking, fishing and quiet contemplation. Peaks reach elevations greater than 14,800 feet (4,500 metres). Lower mountain slopes are covered in evergreen forests.
The mountains are in two sections along the eastern and western side of Venezuela’s northern border. Many of the tallest peaks are on the western section of the range near the city of Mérida. Visit Sierra Nevada National Park to see Bolívar Peak at 16,332 feet (4,978 metres) above sea level. Although the mountaintop is always covered with snow, it is a popular spot for technical climbs from December through March.
Other nearby western peaks include Pico El Águila, Pico Humboldt, Pico La Concha and Pico Bonpland. Even if you’re not climbing, experience the high altitude with a ride on the Mérida Cable Car to Pico Espejo. Photograph the majestic mountains under varying lighting conditions and look down upon lagoons and valleys. Stay in the lovely colonial town of Mérida to visit its numerous churches and museums.
The eastern mountains near Caripe are lower in elevation, making them attractive for non-technical climbing. Tour a limestone cave in Guácharo Cave National Park and look for the fruit-eating birds that nest inside. Other bird species include the scissor-tailed hummingbird in the east and the rusty-flanked crake in the west. The lower mountain areas are known for the large number and variety of amphibians.
Caracas, the national capital, is a convenient gateway to reach the Northern Mountains of Venezuela. Fly to Simón Bolívar International Airport or Airport Valencia and rent a car or join a tour group to approach the mountains within a few hours. Mérida is about a 10-hour drive from Caracas. Prepare for cold temperatures and thin air at the high altitudes. Fog is fairly common.
