The place to go for hiking around Caracas is Parque Nacional El Avila, located on the northern edge of the city and encompassing some 82 hectares (203 acres) of the coastal mountain range separating the city from the Caribbean Sea. There are dozens of trails through the park as well as a well-developed network of restrooms, ranger stations, and campsites. The park and its trails get crowded on weekends. You should be able to reach Pico El Avila (2,153m/7,062 ft.) in 2 to 4 hours of semistrenuous hiking, depending on the pace and route you choose. The highest peak here, Pico Naiguatá, rises to 2,765m (9,070 ft.). Be prepared for wide ranges in temperatures and the possibility of late afternoon rains on the forested slopes of the park. It's best to hike in groups of at least four persons, as some robberies and muggings have been reported in the park. The most popular access to the park is from the northern end of the Altamira district, at the end of Avenida San Juan Bosco, and from all along Avenida Boyaca. You can take the metro to the Altamira stop, although it's a steep 10-block walk uphill from both the metro station and from the San Bernardino area to the entrance to the park. Admission to the park is free.
