Río Mocotíes, stream in Merida, Venezuela
The Río Mocotíes is a mountain stream in Mérida state that originates in the high páramos and flows for about 120 kilometers through the valley toward the Río Chama. It gathers water from numerous smaller streams and creeks that descend from the surrounding slopes, creating a broad valley landscape dotted with settlements like Tovar, Santa Cruz de Mora, and Bailadores.
The river has been integral to the region since the earliest settlements, with communities depending on its water supply for agriculture and daily life. The landscape was shaped over centuries by natural erosion and geological processes that carved the valley into its current form.
The river is best explored on foot along valley paths, with easy access to the waterfall area called La Torrentera near Tovar. Visiting after the rainy season offers the best conditions, when water flows abundantly and the surrounding landscape is at its greenest.
A local tale called the Tragedia del Mocotíes is connected to this river, an event remembered and retold by residents to visitors as part of the area's story. This narrative remains embedded in the community's memory and gives the place deeper meaning beyond its natural features.
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