GUNUNG · Kuba

Pico Turquino

Information

Elevation: 1.974 m
Country: Kuba (CU)
Location / Range: Sierra Maestra, Turquino National Park, Granma & Santiago de Cuba provinces
Mountain type: Mountain (the highest peak in Cuba)
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 19.9894, -76.8358
Difficulty: Strenuous (multi-day forest trek, long and humid climbs)
Best Season: Dry season November–April
Permits & Rules: An official guide via the Turquino National Park administration is mandatory; climbers register at Las Cuevas (south coast) or Santo Domingo/Alto del Naranjo (north side).
Hazards: Prolonged steep climbing, high humidity & mud, long distance, changing mountain weather.

Description

Pico Turquino (1,974 m) is Cuba’s highest summit in the Sierra Maestra; its identity, elevation and coordinates were checked against Wikidata. The northern trail starts at Alto del Naranjo after a transfer from Santo Domingo, with an overnight stop at Aguada del Joaquín. Repeated descents and climbs make this demanding: the difference between trailhead and summit elevations is not the cumulative ascent. Hikers describe humid forest, muddy steps and a wooded summit with the José Martí monument, sometimes obscured by mist. The southern approach from the Las Cuevas area involves a sustained climb from near the coast, while a traverse requires coordination of transport and guides on both sides. Older accounts help explain the terrain; schedules, facilities and costs need fresh confirmation.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Jalur Selatan Las Cuevas

Berat

1 hari panjang; contoh laporan sekitar 10 jam PP

Ascend from the southern coast near La Mula/Las Cuevas on a steep stepped trail. Country Highpoints reports roughly 6.2 miles on the ascent and about 6,500 feet of climbing; this does not mean a 10 km round trip. Arrange a guide and start time with the park.

Source

Jalur Utara Santo Domingo / Alto del Naranjo

Berat

26.00 km 2 hari / 1 malam pada laporan 2012

After transferring to Alto del Naranjo, Ahrens describes 8 km to La Aguada and 5 km to the summit. Returning the same way totals about 26 km on foot. Segment times reflect the 2012 group, not a standard schedule; rain can slow the descent.

Route Segments

1

Alto del Naranjo → La Aguada

↔ 8 km ⏱ ≈6 jam / hours (2012)
2

La Aguada → Pico Turquino

↔ 5 km ⏱ ≈3 jam / hours (2012)
3

Pico Turquino → La Aguada

↔ 5 km ⏱ ≈2,5 jam / hours (2012)
4

La Aguada → Alto del Naranjo

↔ 8 km ⏱ ≈5 jam / hours (2012)

Source

Lintasan Utara–Selatan (Traverse)

Berat

2 hari berjalan dalam laporan 2014

A 2014 account documents Alto del Naranjo–Aguada del Joaquín, an overnight stay, then the summit and descent to Las Cuevas with a guide change. An intended extra overnight did not happen. Confirm huts, the guide handover and southern pickup before choosing this traverse.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Six sources include two videos and four hiking accounts. The trip reports highlight heat, mud, pre-dawn starts and tiring descents. Even the overnight northern approach involves repeated climbs and dips. Timings belong to individual groups rather than guaranteed schedules; older logistical details need reconfirmation.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.