Waraira Repano Park

El Avila National Park, officially titled Waraira Repano, is located in the Serranía del Litoral, within the Coastal Mountain Range. Its location extends from Caracas (Capital District), covers the north of Miranda State and south of La Guaira State.

Its forests are home to more than 100 species of butterflies, approximately 120 species of mammals, 20 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles and 500 species of birds, which represents 36% of the Venezuelan avifauna.

 There are even bird species that are threatened both locally and globally. In this group we can mention nine species endemic to Venezuela, such as the Venezuelan drip-tailed tico-tico (Syndactyla guttulata), güitío (Synallaxis castanea), pechiescamado ponchito (Grallaricula loricata), blue-breasted hummingbird (Sternoclyta cyanopectus), Venezuelan bristle-tyrant (Syndactyla guttulata), Venezuelan hog-tailed flycatcher (Pogonotriccus venezuelanus), rufous-cheeked tanager (Tangara rufigenis), beautiful grosbeak (Pipreola formosa), dusky cowbird (Tigrisoma fasciatum) and black-and-white eagle (Spizastur melanoleucus).

More than 1,800 plant species have been recorded in El Ávila National Park, but some botanists believe that the figure could be as high as 2,000 species. Several of these species are endemic to the coastal mountain range, such as the cafecillo (Palicourea pittieri), romerillo (Arcytophilum nitidum), the giant tree known as the child (Gyranthera caribensis) and resinous shrubs (Verbesina laevifolia).

At least 17 plant species are endemic to El Ávila, including Warreella cyanea, Archyrocline flavida and three Sapindaceae of the genus Paullinia. The park is home to 180 species of orchids, including Cychnoches chlorochilon, Stanhopea wardii,Schomburgia undulata,Epidendrum fimbriatum,Lycaste macrophylla,Oncidium papilio,Brassavola,cucullata,Acineta superbay the national flower Cattleya mossiae.

The park is made up of two slopes:

South

It extends from 85 to 2765 m. The eastern boundary is formed by Naiguatá Peak, Macanillal Mole and Quebrada Ayala Gorge. The western limit is determined by the Carretera Vieja, from Caracas to La Guaira.

North

It goes from 700 m.a.s.l. to the summits. The eastern limit includes the Camuri Grande River and the Topo Tamanaco. In the north it limits with the Cocuizal and to the west with San José de Galipán, Cariaco, Hacienda Curucuti, Guaracarumbo and Copey.

In this opportunity, we will emphasize the natural resources existing in the North Slope.  It is worth mentioning:

Main Vegetation Types

Littoral xerophilous shrublands

They are present between 50 and 100 meters above sea level. It is mainly composed of columnar cacti. It is usually known as spiny vegetation and is found within the park limits.

Deciduous basimontane trophophilous forests

They are concentrated between 300 and 600 meters above sea level. The shrubs are usually between one and two meters high. In drought, trees and shrubs lose at least 75% of their leaves. This vegetation is extinct on the southern slope, due to fires.

 Submontane ombrophilous forest

They are located between 600 and 800 meters above sea level. It is composed of two or even three tree strata.

Montane ombrophilous forest

They exist between 800 and 1500 m.a.s.l. and represent a transition between deciduous and evergreen forests. In these areas there are usually coffee plantations.

                                                            Hydrographic network

This is the most dense, with longer components and larger basins. It supplies fresh water to an important coastal population, almost always settled in the terminal dejection cones of the main watercourses.

The most important bodies of water are Quebrada Tacagua, Quebrada las Pailas, Quebrada Curucuti, Quebrada Piedra Azul, Quebrada Osorio, Río Macuto, Quebrada El Cojo, Quebrada Camuri Chico, Río San Julián, Río Cerro Grande or Tanaguarena, Río Uría, Quebrada El Tigrillo, Río Naiguatá, Río Camurí Grande, Río Care, Río Anare, Qda. Las Ventanas, Río Los Caracas, Quebrada Seca, Río Botuco, Río Osma, Río Oritapo, Río La Sabana, Río Todasana, Río Chuspa and Río Aricagua. Barrio Quenepe, Cervecerías and Sector Sanchorquiz use these resources for water supply.

The secrets kept by the ruins of the forts

The value of the Park is not limited to its important natural wealth. It houses an area of cultural and paleontological interest known as Camino de los Espanoles.

Don Diego de Osorio y Villegas was Governor and Captain General of the Province of Venezuela in 1589, founded the Port of La Guaira and ordered the creation of a path to repel attacks, which was reinforced with forts to prevent pirate attacks.   It was supported by a pike traced by the Indians and then consolidated as a way for the transfer of goods and transit of people. It runs from Puerta Caracas to Maiquetía.The ru

The ruins of Castillo Blanco, Fortín de la Cumbre, La Atalaya, Castillo Negro, El Salto and Fortín del Medio have witnessed countless stories. Their enigmatic vestiges give them an additional charm that seduces visitors.