Pico Bolívar
Mérida
Pico Bolívar is the tallest mountain in Venezuela, rising to an elevation of 4,978 meters (16,332 feet) in the Mérida State. Named after the Venezuelan independence hero Simón Bolívar, the peak is part of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida range. It is accessible only by foot, as the nearby Mérida cable car reaches only Pico Espejo, from which climbers can ascend to Pico Bolívar. The mountain was previously known as La Columna and was renamed in 1934 following a suggestion by Tulio Febres Cordero. It stands alongside notable peaks such as El León and El Toro. Historically, the summit's height was measured multiple times, with early 20th-century estimates exceeding 5,000 meters, but modern GPS measurements confirm its current elevation just under 5,000 meters. The mountain once hosted glaciers during the Pleistocene epoch and into the early 20th century; however, these glaciers have completely disappeared by the early 21st century, reflecting significant climatic changes. Pico Bolívar remains a symbol of Venezuelan natural heritage and offers adventurous trekking opportunities amid stunning Andean landscapes.
Plan your trip to Venezuela with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: The best time to visit Pico Bolívar is during the dry season to avoid weather-related climbing difficulties. Since access to the summit requires hiking from Pico Espejo, reachable by the Mérida cable car, visitors should prepare for a strenuous ascent and consider hiring experienced local guides. It is advisable to arrange permits and guide services in advance. No motorized transport reaches the peak, so proper hiking gear and acclimatization to altitude are essential. Visitors should also check weather conditions before planning their climb.
Interesting facts
- •Pico Bolívar is the highest mountain in Venezuela at 4,978 meters (16,332 feet).
- •The peak was officially renamed after Simón Bolívar in 1934, replacing its original name La Columna.
- •Early 20th-century measurements overestimated its height at just above 5,000 meters, corrected by modern GPS data.
- •The Mérida cable car, once the world's highest and longest, reaches only Pico Espejo, requiring climbers to hike to Pico Bolívar.
- •Glaciers that once covered Pico Bolívar have completely disappeared by 2012, making Venezuela one of the first countries to lose all its glaciers.
History
Originally known as La Columna, the mountain was renamed Pico Bolívar in 1934 to honor Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan independence hero.
Early height measurements in the 1910s and 1920s estimated the peak at just over 5,000 meters, but later GPS surveys in the 1990s and 2000s refined its elevation to approximately 4,978 meters.
The area was extensively glaciated during the Pleistocene epoch, with glaciers persisting until the early 20th century.
Over the decades, these glaciers have retreated dramatically, disappearing entirely by 2012, marking an environmental milestone for Venezuela.
