The Avila - Sabas Nieves - No Te Apures

One of the most common trips that are made to the Avila is, without any doubt, the raise to the Park Rangers Place of Sabas Nieves, starting from Altamira. Every day, at sunrise, dring the day, and at sunset, hundreds and hundreds of persons go to Sabas Nieves, looking for contact with nature, exercise or a little scattering.

The sight of the city

The path is Wide, the ground red toned and the raise pretty strong. Those how are most trained can get there in fifteen or twenty minutes, those how are in good conditions can do the trip in between 25 and 35 minutes, those who aren’t in so good conditions can last about 45 minutes, and those who aren’t in conditions, simply don’t get there. They have to make some new attempts to accomplish the route. Maybe the bench that is shown in the left is an appropriate place for a nice rest.

Once there, there is a platform where the municipality has installed equipment for body-exercising. There is also a small “cave”, where there is the image of a virgin with flowers and candles.

One of the great satisfactions of this trip is to take water from a small fountain. It is fresh water, from the mountain. Sometimes you must stand in a small queue to enjoy from it. You can also buy some home-made ice cream (berry, passion fruit or lemon) in the National Park Rangers Place.

But our trip doesn’t end here, although it is very provocative to lay there and rest on the grass, having the city at your feet, behind the trees. We’ll take the ladders to continue rising. We’ll pass by Loma Serrano and arrive to No Te Apures. Another option is the trip to the National Park Rangers Place of Chacaito (Watch some Slides of this trip)

The grass in Sabas Nieves

The ladders to Loma Serrano

No te Apures

The raise is hard. In many places, the roots of the trees are used as ladders. During the whole journey, the vegetation is thick; the city is every time more distant. Suddenly, at about half an hour there is a spot with a famous bench, from where you can sit and watch the city.

But our journey isn´t over yet. After about half an hour or more of walk, we get to the goal, the “No Te Apures” shelter, with the satisfaction of having achieved our goal. If you want water, this is your last chance. There is a small detour and after about two or three minutes there is a pipe that captures the water from a small creek.

Now you can return, happy due to the excellent exercise that has been made and for having enjoyed of nature, or better yet, you can continue to the “Chair of Caracas” (Silla de Caracas) and from there to the Eastern Peak or Western Peak.