Cuba might not be the first country you think of when you hear hiking. However, the small Caribbean island has several mountain ranges and 10 national parks, whereof 2 are UNESCO sites. This means that there are plenty of opportunities to go hiking in Cuba, both short walks and longer treks. I really enjoyed the hikes in Cuba and that’s why I wanted to share them with you.
To give you some more options for your Cuba itinerary, I also asked some of my travel blogger friends to share their favorite hike in Cuba.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
When is the best time for a Cuba hiking adventure
The best time of year for Cuba hiking is between November and mid-April when the temperatures are not too hot and the humidity is not too daunting.
While the other half of the year can get extremely hot and humid with heavy showers, it also feeds the waterfalls and rivers which makes it extra beautiful to go hiking in Cuba.
However, if you head out to the Cuba hiking trails in the rainy season, get ready to get wet! There is nothing that is waterproof when the rain hits.
From my own experience, the rain usually came in the afternoon, so I could go out in the morning to go hiking and would have a lovely time.
Book your flights to Cuba here
Hikes in Cuba
Hiking is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Cuba and here are some favorite trails, short and long.
La Batata
If you are looking for a hike off the beaten path, La Batata is the hike for you. Situated in Topes de Collantes National Park, it only takes a couple of hours there and back. Though you can spend much longer exploring the mesmerizing underground river and caves this walk takes you to.
It costs less than 10 CUC to do the hike. I don’t know exactly, as there wasn’t anyone there to collect the money when I was there. The hike takes you through lush green scenery along the trickling river that will follow you all the way. The path goes up and down, but altogether there is not much elevation for this hike.
Once you have walked about an hour you get to the cave systems which are an incredible experience to wade through. A perfect spot to spend a couple of hours, cool down in the natural pools and have a light snack.
To get to La Batata hike, take a shared taxi from Trinidad. You can easily combine it with hiking to Vegas Grande waterfall if you agree with the driver to take you there too. La Batata is without a doubt one of the best hikes in Cuba!
Vegas Grande
The hike to Vegas Grande waterfall in Topes de Collantes National Park is absolutely astounding. The beginning is pretty easy, just keep left where ever the path divides, also when you get to a dirt road. Not long after, you get to where they take paid for the hike, it’s 10 CUC.
This is where the path starts to wind steep downhill. I recommend good footwear for this. There is about an hour to the waterfall and one hour return, but be prepared for the steep ascent back again.
Once at the waterfall, you will want to stay there forever! The pristine water is perfect to cool down in after the walk and the waterfall is so refreshing! There is a rock behind the waterfall where you can jump from through the waterfall itself.
The easiest way to get to the trail to Vegas Grande is by shared taxi from Trinidad. This is an awesome hike in Cuba that you should not miss out on if you like waterfalls!
El Nicho
El Nicho is a short walk really, but so insanely beautiful which is why I’ve included it. If you ask the Cubans where to go, they’ll all point you to El Nicho. The trail goes along the vivid river with small falls and swimming holes along the way.
There are 3 big waterfalls, 2 of them walking up from the trailhead where you pay the entrance of 10 CUC. It’s only a 20 minutes’ walk to the top falls and viewpoint but with a couple of stops for swimming along the way, you can easily spend an hour.
The third fall is going down from the booth where you paid your entrance. There is a small path that is not so crowded and the falls are just mesmerizing with a large swimming hole beneath.
Since El Nicho is so popular with the locals, make sure you get there early as they stop letting people in once it gets too crowded. I tried to ask how many people they allow in but didn’t get a clear answer, just that they don’t let too many people in.
Also set in Topes de Collantes National Park, El Nicho is easiest reached by shared taxi from Cienfuegos.
READ: How to deal with overtourism when traveling
El Yunque Mountain
By Oksana & Max of Drink Tea & Travel
Climbing El Yunque is a must-do Cuba hike if you are visiting Baracoa. Yunque is located about 10 kilometres from the main square in Baracoa, amid lush jungle, rolling plantations and snaking rivers. You can go with a tour to climb Yunque or make your way to the base of the mountain on your own. The entrance of the El Yunque Protected Area can be reached via bike or taxi.
Everyone who intends to climb El Yunque is assigned a guide. Hikers must register at the visitor center and pay their 13 CUC ( $13 USD) before being paired up. It is an additional 8 CUC ($8 USD) to access the waterfalls within the park with your guide.
The hike itself is considered moderate to difficult for its steep ascent. However, it begins with you wading through the Duaba River, then passes through a cocoa plantation. Your guide will point out flora and fauna along the way and you might be offered food or drinks by the few families who live within the park.
Once you are halfway up the mountain you will notice a locally run fruit stand and lookout point. It is the perfect place to catch your breath and refuel for the rest of your journey.
At the top, you’ll be gobsmacked by the beauty of the area. At 575 meters high, you’ll have a panoramic view of the town of Baracoa, the tropical rainforest, and the Caribbean Sea in the distance.
Las Terrazas
By Ayngelina of Bacon is Magic
One of the most popular spots Cubans visit for nature, wildlife is hiking most tourists have never heard about. Las Terrazas is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve just 90 minutes outside Havana. It makes for a great day trip or a stop along the way to Viñales.
It’s a unique place in Cuba because the community population is limited. You must be invited to live here or marry someone who already lives here. A former region for coffee plantations by French colonialists who fled Haiti during the revolution, it was nearly deforested. But Fidel Castro initiated a program to rebuild the area, planting 7 million trees over a decade.
Today Cubans vacation here as it’s a beautiful area with two lakes and a river.
Las Terrazas is a haven for Cuba trekking, though the trails are not well marked so you need a local guide to take you. They are members of the community and can show you ruins from former plantation sites, slave quarters and know the best birdwatching spots.
It is not advisable to go on your own as it’s easy to get lost. Guides charge a nominal fee and can organize hiking opportunities at all levels, whether you want to spend all day hiking to the top of the mountain or simply take a leisurely trek to one of the coffee plantation ruins and stop at a lake.
But also these opportunities help community tourism survive and provide the best experience to see what makes Las Terrazas special.
Read more about the importance of sustainable tourism here
Salto de Caburnì Trail
By Claudia of My Adventures Across The World
One of the best hikes in Cuba is the Salto de Caburnì trail in Topes de Collantes National Park, in the mountain range called Sierra del Escambray.
Easily accessible from Trinidad, Cuba most darling town, It’s an area where you will encounter many hiking trails, but this is literally a classic.
The trail is a 10 km long one (there and back) that goes through the forest and coffee plantations all the way to the Salto de Caburni, a gorgeous 62 meters tall waterfall that splashes directly into a fabulous swimming hole.
The water in the natural pool is crystal clear, though terribly cold. Either way, you will want to jump in to fight the oppressive heat.
The first half of the hike is almost completely downhill. Going back, you will have to push uphill.
The hike is easy to moderate – it truly depends on your level of fitness. The trail is easy to follow but as per national regulations all tourists have to hire the services of a guide.
Make sure to pack a swimsuit and a towel if you intend to swim (you really should!) and enough food and water for the duration of the hike.
Be responsible when hiking in Cuba
Leave no trace and pick up after others
I suggest you bring a bag for your waste in your eco-friendly backpack so you can take your waste and even pick up if you find rubbish laying around.
Remember that even fruit rests should be packed away and thrown into a proper bin. While fruit Is biodegradable, it still turns out that animals and bugs eat it way before it turns into soil. And as it’s not their natural diet, it’s not really that good for them. Further, leaving seeds of fruit that is not endemic to the area they’re thrown into disturbs the natural fauna. Not that good either.
Bring a reusable water bottle
My water bottle for filtered water is the LifeStraw Go which filters 99,9% of water-borne bacteria. It was the only water bottle I had in Cuba and it surely did the job!
I didn’t have to buy water one single time, which is a lifesaver. Some places in Cuba, it can be hard to get hold of bottled water and the prices are high!
Get your LifeStrawGo water bottle here
Stay on the marked trail
It is so important to stay on the marked trail so that you don’t harm the natural area including wildlife. That means, no Insta photos off the path. It is actually better to post a post on Instagram of the trail explaining why you didn’t go off it to look for a better angle, then your followers might become more responsible on their next hike too!
Reflections on Cuba hiking trails
There is no doubt you should go hiking in Cuba. The wonderfully lush nature makes it an unforgettable experience. And some places you can even learn about the Cuban culture along the way with a local guide.
Have you been hiking in Cuba? Let me know your experience in the comments!
Did you like it? Pin it for later!
