Turquino National Park, National park in southeastern Cuba
The park protects the Sierra Maestra mountains with dense forests, clear streams, and several peaks above 6,000 feet (1,829 meters). The terrain is steep and lush, with green vegetation framing every hiking route.
The area became central during the Cuban Revolution, with La Comandancia de la Plata serving as a hidden base for Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. They coordinated operations against Batista's government from this remote mountain location.
A bronze bust of José Martí sits at the summit of Pico Turquino, honoring the Cuban independence leader at the nation's highest point. This monument draws hikers to the peak and connects the climbing experience with national remembrance.
Hikes must be done with certified guides, and two main routes are available, one starting at Alto del Naranjo and another from Las Cuevas. The trails are demanding and require good physical fitness and sturdy hiking boots.
The reserve protects more than one hundred plant species found nowhere else on Earth, along with the bee hummingbird, the world's tiniest bird. These special creatures thrive in the misty mountain forests.
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