Page 226 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

224  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

w Gran Parque
Nacional Sierra
Maestra
Granma, Santiago de Cuba. Road Map
F4. n Ecotur, Hotel Sierra Maestra,
Bayamo, (23) 487 006 ext. 639; Flora y
Fauna, Santo Domingo, 5356 5349;
Villa Santo Domingo, (23) 565 568.
This national park, which covers
an area of 38,000 ha (95,000
acres), spans the provinces of
Granma and Santiago de Cuba.
This is where the major peaks of
the island are found, including
Pico Turquino (at 1,974 m/ View from the Pico Turquino, the highest mountain in Cuba
6,390 ft, the highest in Cuba),
as well as sites made famous Comandancia de la Plata, number of treks can be
by the guerrilla war waged by Castro’s headquarters in the organized from the visitors’
Fidel Castro and the barbudos. 1950s. Here there is a museum, office, where guides must be
The main starting point for a small camp hospital and the hired. Overnight accommodation
exploring the Sierra Maestra site from which Che Guevara in the mountains is available
is Villa Santo Domingo, made his radio broadcasts. either at campsites or in simple
about 35 km (22 miles) Comandancia de la Plata is refuges. Note, however, that
south of the Bayamo– accessible only on foot – since much of this area is a
Manzanillo road a one-and-a-half hour’s military zone, lone trekking is
(there is comfortable walk through lovely, not permitted.
accommodation in though often foggy, At present, it is possible to
Santo Domingo). forest. The area was do a three-day guided trek
From Santo made into a national across the park, beginning at
Domingo, you park in 1980. The dense, Alto del Naranjo and ending at
can make the humid forest Las Cuevas, a small town on
challenging 5-km The gavilán del monte, conceals many the Caribbean Sea. Hikers do
(3-mile) journey – on common in the Sierra species of orchid and not need to be expert
foot or in a good off- Maestra various kinds of local mountaineers in order to take
road vehicle – to the fauna. The Sierra part in this walking tour,
Alto del Naranjo viewpoint Maestra mountains are excellent because the path is equipped
(950 m/ 3,120 ft). With a permit hiking territory, and also attract with ladders, handrails and
(obtainable from the visitors’ mountain climbers. The scenery rock-cut steps. However, it
office north of Villa Santo is spectacular but be prepared is still advisable to do a
Domingo), you can go on to for spartan facilities. A limited certain amount of training
beforehand. The final descent
from Pico Turquino onwards is
fairly strenuous and walkers
need to be reasonably fit.
It is important to take proper
mountain gear with you:
walking boots, thick socks, a sun
hat, a sweater, a windproof
jacket, and perhaps even a
waterproof groundsheet and a
good tent. Humidity in the often
misty Sierra is very high, and
showers are common.
The coast at the southern
edge of the Sierra Maestra is
spectacular. The coastal road
runs close above the waters of
the Caribbean Sea and offers
excellent views. However, great
care should be taken if driving
after dark as the road is in need
The splendid coastline south of Sierra Maestra of repair in some places.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp262–3 and p275

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