Route to the Gavidia Páramo and a Visit to the Mérida Cable Car

The Gavidia páramo is located in the state of Mérida, Venezuela. In this area it is possible to hike a variety of trails ranging from roughly 3,000 to 4,200 meters of altitude. Although the differences in elevation are not very great, the layout of the trails on some stretches can be difficult if you are carrying a lot of weight. One of the most interesting challenges of the place is to reach the Alto de Santo Cristo and camp at the Laguna de Santo Cristo. The configuration of the valley favors the passage of wind, so the wind chill in the afternoons can bring low temperatures, and it is advisable to set up camps where the tent is protected from the wind as much as possible. Along the way you will come across cows and bulls belonging to the local farmers which, if you are not careful, can destroy the camp or eat your food. It is advisable to acclimatize on the first day at the start of the route, before ascending to the Alto de Santo Cristo. Even though this páramo belongs to the Sierra Nevada National Park, there are no checkpoints or park-ranger stations. The route can last between 2 and 4 days depending on acclimatization requirements or the pace of ascent. As a bonus, given its proximity to the city of Mérida, it is worth visiting the Mukumbarí cable car, which is one of those that combines the distinctions of being the highest and the longest in the world within a single system. From this cable car you can enjoy beautiful views and access to other hiking trails and to the practice of extreme sports. How to get there? There are two ways or directions to reach this place. The first is when you come from the north, usually from the states of Barinas, Táchira, and Trujillo; you descend along the páramo road, passing through the Collado del Cóndor and making a stop in the town of Mucuchíes, from where you take a road that heads to the town of Gavidia, and once in the town of Gavidia the hiking route formally begins. The second is when you come from the south, setting out from the state capital, the city of Mérida; if you do not have your own vehicle, you go to the city's ground terminal and take a bus bound for the town of Mucuchíes, and from there you set off for the town of Gavidia. Cost? Undertaking this route involves several expenses: the main one is related to transportation, followed by camp food, lodging after the descent (if it is part of the plan), and visits to museums, the zoo, or the cable car. All of this entails an approximate expense of USD $15. What to bring? For this excursion, since it is a moderate-difficulty mid-mountain activity, it requires extra gear to protect against the cold and to survive at altitude. You will need a mountain tent, fleece jackets, a raincoat, a flashlight, a sleeping bag rated down to zero degrees Celsius, a sleeping pad, sunscreen, mountain boots, sunglasses, a GPS, maps, cameras, a camp stove, a rucksack of 65 liters or more, 2 liters of water, knives and cooking utensils, medicines, and a first-aid kit. Recommendations It is recommended to hike during daytime, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. During those intervals the temperature tends to be higher and the wind less strong, regardless of the weather conditions. The afternoons tend to be cold, and in the mornings, since this is a valley, the sun tends to take a while to appear. Another important recommendation is to be as careful as possible with the cows and bulls; in general they are not aggressive, yet they tend to rummage through the camps at night or in the morning and finish off the food, so it is necessary, once you have finished using them, to place everything—including backpacks—inside the tents. Also, when they come as a herd, they tend to surround the camps, and it is advisable to leave before they obstruct the way. © Alejandro Guipe | All Rights Reserved.