Walking in Vinales Valley

UNESCO preserved Vinales Valley offers some of the best walking routes in Cuba, amongst the most unique landscapes in the Caribbean. Hike through the imposing Mogote haystack style mountains and lush fields of tobacco, mango, pineapple and more. Spot rare fauna and flora including many endemic bird species and the Palma Corcho a living plant fossil.

When walking in Cuba’s National Parks a specialist park guide accompanies you, however they bring so much local knowledge and enthusiasm, making the hikes more rewarding and informative. The routes are taken on maintained trails and there is certainly a walk to suit all levels of fitness  from easy 3 mile strolls to more demanding treks of up to 15 miles, or multi day walking routes.

Sunrise Trip to the “Aquaticos”

For those who like early exercise and enjoy a sunrise, this 6 mile walk climbs to a most amazing viewpoint to watch the sunrise over Vinales Valley, an awe inspiring experience which could be one of your Cuban highlights.

Also visit the community of the ‘Los Aquaticos’, who firmly believe and live by the doctrine of the medicinal and therapeutic properties of the local water. The tiny community maintain their deep faith in this long-standing tradition and have an isolated presence from the main villagers living in Vinales. Enjoy a coffee and chat with the “Los Acuaticos”  before descending back to the valley.

Sunset Walk in Silencio Valley 

Our 6 mile sunset walk is a popular way to enjoy the end of the day and heads through the magnificent scenery of the Silencio Valley. Walk through the Juan Luis tobacco plantation one of the most important in the region, continuing to a limestone cave, with its array of stalactites and stalagmites. Arrive at ‘Lago del Valle del Capon’  and bring your costume for where you can enjoy a cooling swim in the lake before finishing at the organic farm to grab a vantage point to enjoy the sunset, we can book you a table here for dinner if you wish.

Climbing a Vinales Mogote Mountain   

This  7 mile more challenging hike takes you through sub tropical woodland to the top of a Mogote. The trek starts through the rich farmlands  before heading up into the hills through isolated woodland, you may be able to spot endemic birds such as the rare Cuban solitaire (nightingale) as well as some giant ant nests which are quite a sight. Naturally upon reaching the top you are rewarded by some stunning views of the valley.

Hiking through Three Vinales Valleys 

This 10 mile hike visits three different valleys, two of them remote and rarely visited by tourists who come to enjoy this spectacular area of Cuba. The undulating route passes lakes that are used for agriculture or fishing by the locals. Stop in a little farm, taste a Cuban coffee and chat to the farmers, before continuing between mango, pineapple and sugar cane fields to a natural lookout over the spectacular Silencio Valley.

Rest and enjoy a farm to table traditional Cuban lunch at a plantation restaurant, followed perhaps by a locally rolled cigar. When in Vinales as they say !

Summit Western Cuba’s highest Peak  

Standing at 2,300ft the Pan De Guajaibon is the highest peak in Western Cuba and is located in a more isolated spot, a drive away from Vinales. The hike at times is steep, a little wild and requires some simple scrambling. During the ascent a number of caves are passed in which relics of indigenous life have been found, including human remains. When exploring Cuba there are always little reminders of more recent times and here you interestingly pass discarded military equipment from the Cold War as the mountain was a closed Soviet/Cuban military area !

The summit offers three interesting experiences, spectacular views, a bust of Antonio Maceo a Cuban Revolutionary hero and the relic of a Soviet radar system!