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Topes de Collantes 755m

In the Cuban rainforest, a tarmac track leads from Trinidad through the Escambray Mountains in-land to Manicaragua. After about 20 kilometres, you reach the village of Topes de Collantes in the national park of the same name at an altitude of around 750 metres. The top of the pass is a little further on at around 820 metres. There is a network of hiking trails to waterfalls around the village, which are among the tourist highlights of the area.

Start: Trinidad 55m
Altitude gain: 1,010m
Distance: 20km
April 2025


After eight kilometres, the steep 13% ascent up to the El Mirador viewpoint begins. After this, you lose altitude again. This is repeated later, so that the total ascent adds up to over 1,000 metres in altitude.


We set off in the morning with a rented mountain bike in Trinidad.


Nothing going on in the streets of the town yet.


After a few kilometres, the road branches off into the Sierra del Escambray.


Wonderful view of the route ahead


Impressions along the way


View back to the Caribbean coast and the town of Trinidad in the background


After about 10 kilometres, there is an opportunity to top up your water supplies at Casa Juana.


It's a damn steep climb up a series of concrete slabs.


After a long, steep stretch, we finally reach the El Mirador viewpoint. Unfortunately, behind it there is a surprising descent.


Idyllic dwellings under palm trees along the way


You will only meet a few locals along the way.


Towards the end, the path flattens out and the area becomes a little more lively.


Socialist prefabricated building in the middle of the rainforest


The visitor centre in the centre of Topes de Collantes marks our destination for today (I have a punc-ture on my rear wheel).



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