NATURE TRAILS
1.Valle de Viñales
Surrounded by mogotes, Valle de Viñales has the most dramatic scenery in Cuba. Local tour agencies offer specialist hiking excursions along mountain trails, including climbs to the summit of mogotes; an official guide is obligatory.
Valle de Viñales
2.El Yunque
The unique flat-topped El Yunque mountain can be accessed by trail from Baracoa for a climb accompanied by a compulsory guide. The rewards are the staggering panoramic view and a chance to spot exotic birds.
3.Península de Guanahacabibes
Centro de Visitantes: La Bajada, Sandino • 48 75 0366 • Adm At the far western tip of Cuba, this slender peninsula is covered with a rare expanse of tropical dry forest – a protected habitat for jutías, jabalís, and over 170 bird species. For birding and visits to caves, there are the Cueva de las Perlas and Sendero del Bosque al Mar trails.
4.Finca La Belén
27 miles (43 km) SE of Camagüey • 52 19 5744 • Adm: for horseback and guided bird tours A walk or horseback ride from this working farm, home to zebra and various exotic cattle, leads through semi-deciduous woodland and montane forests that help protect the different types of endemic plants including a rare cactus species. Bird-watchers will have a field day spotting parrots, hummingbirds, and other colorful birds.
5.Las Terrazas
This mountain resort (for further details see Las Terrazas) is Cuba’s premier ecotourism destination, with trails, waterfalls, springs, and coffee plantations surrounded by forest. Hotel La Moka provides decent lodgings.
Mineral Springs at Las Terrazas
6.Topes de Collantes
This resort complex on the southeast flank of the Sierra del Escambray makes a perfect base for exploring the steep trails through scented pine forests and the El Nicho waterfall, which crashes into crystal-clear pools. The Parque Codina trail leads to an ancient coffee estate. Squawking parrots tear through the treetops, and the tocororo – Cuba’s national bird – can also often be spotted.
Rock formations at Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes
7.Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma
This dry, dusty park is the starting point for several recommended trails that take visitors through a cactus-studded tropical forest. Bird-watching is a big draw here, and manatees are sometimes seen in mangrove lagoons. The El Guafe trail leads to a large cave full of limestone formations (for further details see Hiking in Parque Nacional Desembarco del Granma).
8.Pinares de Mayarí
12 miles (19 km) S of Mayarí, Holguín province • 24 50 3308 • comercial@vpinares.co.cu Take an excursion through a steep graded road to the wild pine-clad uplands of Pinares de Mayarí. This large area of montane wilderness is a popular base for guided hikes, such as the one to the Salto el Guayabo waterfall (for further details see Pinares de Mayarí). A mountain resort that was created for the reigning Communist Party elite is now open to tourists.
9.Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt
Protecting the richest flora and fauna in Cuba, most of this wilderness is covered with dense rainforest and mangroves along the shore. Trails range from easy walks to challenging climbs to the Balcón de Iberia waterfall (for further details see Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt).
Orchid at Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt
10.Pico Turquino
Departure 8am • Adm: permit including guides • Book visit at the Ecotur office, Hotel Sierra Maestra: Carretera Central, km 1.5, Bayamo • 23 42 7972 • 23 42 7974 Cuba’s highest mountain can be ascended from either north or south sides, the most popular starting point being Santo Domingo. At least two days are required, and guides are compulsory for the arduous climb. You will need to pre-arrange a second set of guides if you plan to traverse the mountain.
