At Alexander Humboldt National Park, the Loma de Piedra trail is one of the longest, most challenging, and richest in flora and fauna. If you are looking for a good hike through pristine primary forests enjoying beautiful panoramic views and discovering the nature of the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa mountains, this trail is for you.

In this blog post we invite you to discover the wide range of bird species you can find in Loma de Piedra, but we also show you diverse species of plants and trees of great interest if you are a flora lover. After all, such a flora is the habitat where those birds live!

Alexander Humboldt National Park is a magnificent protected area for Cuban birds. It is home to 35 out of 48 bird species restricted to a Caribbean biome, and to 18 out of the 29 Cuban endemic species. In the following picture you can see the Cuban Emerald hummingbird (Riccordia ricordii, formerly Chlorostilbon ricordii). We call it Zunzún and it can be found in Cuba and the Bahamas.

Observing birds and plants along Loma de Piedra trail requires a significant physical effort. It measures 8 km or 5 miles-long and has a maximum elevation difference of about 240 meters or 790 feet, which you must ascend over the first 2km or 1.25 miles of the hike. It is not a paved trail, it does not have carved steps, nor handrails or anything of the like. You must engage barely marked narrow paths as well as ox-cart roads. It can be muddy, and it includes segments of loose rocks.

First Stretch – Uphill to the Hawks’ Mirador

Nothing beats arriving at the forest with the first light of the day. Feeling wildlife as it comes awake. Breathing the fresh air as you engage your uphill hike on this terrain of serpentine rock and reddish ferritic soil, with its very own and unique flora.

At first, you will be surrounded by the type of vegetation we call charrascal – a relatively low xeromorphic, sub-thorny flora complex (mostly shrubs). These are plants whose structure allows them to retain humidity in the heat, and most of them have no thorns.

One of the first bird species you will come across is the Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii, called Juan Chiví in Cuba). At 13 cm (5.12 inches), they are small – but their song can be heard from a distance – charming and unmistakable.

The Dracaena cubensis is an endemic plant only found in the northeastern region of Cuba. Everybody likes its “prehistoric” aspect. It is abundant here and you will be able to appreciate it at different points along the trail.

In Loma de Piedra you will also find orchids that are endemic to Cuba’s Oriente region. One of them is the tiny Andreettaea llamachoi (until recently classified as Pleurothallis or Specklinia llamachoi). They are an endangered species and not easy to spot, but with an appropriate guide and during the blooming season, you will certainly enjoy their beauty.

Another flora species that is endemic to Cuba’s north-eastern mountains is Adenoa cubensis. You’ll be surprised to learn that it belongs to the Passifloraceae (just like passionflower and passion fruit), as this family’s plants are mostly climbing vines. Well, this one is a unique member of its family!

As you make your way along the trail, the Oriente Warbler (Teretistris fornsi, called Pechero in Cuba) will certainly make a joyful appearance. It belongs to a family, Teretistridae, that is unique to Cuba. These little birds usually hang out in groups of about six individuals and are noisy and never still. They can only be found in certain areas in central and eastern Cuba.

Another common inhabitant of these shrubs is the Cuban Bullfinch (Melopyrrha nigra, called Negrito in Cuba). This species was only recently recognized as a Cuban endemic bird. Their song is thin and delightful, which sadly makes them a target for hunters and traffickers for the caged songbird market.

If you wish to get to know the famous, imposing and equally endemic Gundlach’s Hawk (Astur gundlachi, until recently classified as Accipiter gundlachi), you will have to make an off-trail detour to reach one of its breeding areas.

In Cuba, we call this hawk Gavilán Colilargo. The best months to watch it are February through May. In these pictures you can see a mother with a full throat. And its four young ones still in the nest.

After this detour from your route, you will engage again the Loma de Piedra trail, which now delves into a forest with taller trees. One of the most abundant species is the Pinus cubensis (known in Cuba as Pino de Mayarí), endemic to the country’s northeast region.

Your hike resumes uphill on a narrow, barely marked path along a steep mountain hill. In this area you will enjoy some of the first panoramic views of this excursion.

Another emblematic plant of these mountains is Euphorbia helenae (known locally as Jazmín del Pinar, or « pine tree forest jasmine »). The bush’s beautiful colour will not allow you to miss it!

Measuring only 11 cm (4.33 inches), this little bird is one of the most visually striking and charming in our country: the Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor), called Cartacuba in Spanish. It is endemic and quite common in our forests. Very easy to detect for its vocalizations and the staccato of its beating wings. It’s also quite a curious creature: it may approach humans and not rapidly flee like other species do.

You will know you are approaching Loma de Piedra’s highest point and most beautiful lookout when a glimpse through the trees reveals a huge nest. It’s a Red-tailed Hawk nest (Buteo jamaicensis solitudinis, called Gavilán de Monte in Cuba, and Gavilán de Sierra by Baracoan inhabitants). The nest is built on a Mayarí pine tree.

This species’ breeding season spans the months of January through April. In this area, the trail is at the same height as the nest (even a little bit higher), giving you a privileged view of it. In the following two pictures you can see the mother covering her hatchlings, and the father flying above the area.

Second Stretch – From Mirador to Mirador

This first lookout point, which have informally called the Hawks’ Mirador, is located at an elevation of 240 meters (roughly 790 feet) above sea level. Before your eyes lies Taco Bay, a beautiful enclosed bay which is part of the maritime area of Alexander Humboldt National Park. Its contours are a wonderful example of the karstic rock formations you can explore in Baracoa.

If you look towards the north, you can see the area where river Jiguaní reaches the Atlantic Ocean. That’s where the municipality of Baracoa and Guantánamo province end, and where the municipality of Moa and Holguín province begin. This lookout is an ideal site to take a nice break and enjoy the breeze, hydrate, and talk a bit more with your guide. An initial reward after your effort climbing up the mountain.

When you resume your hike along this second stretch of your excursion, the national park’s forests will keep on surprising you with their flora. Another orchid endemic to the mountains of Cuba’s northeastern region is Tetramicra tenera. It blooms from February through April.

As you explore this higher area of the Loma de Piedra trail, you will hear one of the most sublime and unique birdsongs in Cuba. It’s the endemic Cuban Solitaire (Myadestes elizabeth, called Ruiseñor in Cuba). This species can be more easily detected by its vocalizations than visually.

Equally unmistakable and ubiquitous in Alexander Humboldt National Park are the vocalizations of a Cuban endemic owl: the Cuban Pygmy-Owl (Glucidium siju), called Sijú Platanero in Cuba, and known in Baracoa as Monterita. Different from most owls, which are nocturnal creatures, these tiny ones (only 6.7 inches) are quite active during the day.

We did mention above that few plants in this habitat are thorny. But there is a palm tree species whose trunk and fronds are entirely covered with long and hard needles: the Bactris cubensis palm tree. It’s endemic to Cuba – and you better not get your hands anywhere near it!

The Cuban Green Woodpecker (Xiphidiopicus percussus, which we call Carpintero Verde) also has a unique, loud and at times harsh voice. This exclusively Cuban bird (both the genus and species are endemic to our country) is quite colourful. It may suddenly appear out of nowhere, foraging, and perch close to where you are in any area of this trail.

A very thin and silky song will indicate that a Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena pretrei, called Cabrero in Cuba) is nearby. Its bright colours will surely captivate your eyes. It is a Greater Antilles bird with several subspecies, the Cuban one amongst them.

Some of the bushes that populate the area are covered in precious, delicate little flowers. That’s the case of this Miconia cerasiflora, endemic to eastern Cuba, and also special for the minute pilosity covering its tender new leaves and the base of its buttons.

The Manajú shrub (Garcinia aristata) is native to Cuba and Hispaniola Island. It’s an important species for traditional natural medicine. Its bark is used to treat respiratory illnesses.

This orchid is an Encyclia moebusii and it is endemic to eastern Cuba. It’s widely present across the Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve, where Alexander Humboldt National Park is located. Its deep colour makes it impossible to miss.

Here you can see the largest and most colourful lizard you can find in the national park: Anolis baracoae. It is endemic to our region. Its field mark is the thin line of orange dots matched by black dots on the shoulder.

And thus, we arrive to this other mirador, in an opening in the woods.

Third and Last Stretch – Hiking Downwards to the Clear Waters of River Taco

After this last lookout, the Loma de Piedra trail starts descending again towards its conclusion by the road. Instead of that, we recommend linking your path to El Recreo trail. This will allow you to explore other areas of the park where other bird species can be seen – as well as one of the smallest frog species in the world! You will also make it to river Taco at the end of your hike, where you can make a splash in the cool water.

One of the flora species you can observe frequently in this area is the Cyathea parvula tree fern. It is not exclusive to Cuba, but in our country, you can only find it in the easternmost provinces.

In the midst of these pine trees lives one of Cuba’s rarest and most endangered raptors: the Cuban Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus fringilloides, which we call Gavilancito). Only a tiny number of visitors end up seeing it. Recent genetics studies recognize this subspecies as a full species on its own, separate from its family members in North America, Middle America, and the Greater Antilles.

In this area also lives the largest owl species in Cuba: the Stygian Owl (Asio stygius siguapa, whose Cuban name is Siguapa). Such beautiful eyes and a majestic presence…

The endemic flora continues to be abundant in this stretch. Look at these three species, unique to Cuba’s easternmost region – Tabebuia pinetorum, Jacaranda arborea and Poitea gracilis, followed by an image of the dense forest where you will delve a little later.

Without a doubt one of the most popular bird species among visitors (and locals!) is the endemic Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus), which we call Tocororo. It is Cuba’s national bird – its plumage mirrors the colours of our flag.

Another super star of the Cuban avifauna is the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). We call it Zunzucito. It’s the smallest bird on Earth (measuring only 2.5 inches). During the breeding season, from March through June, the male flashes spectacular colours. On the first of these two photos you can see a male and, on the second, a female in her nest.

One of the loudest vocalizations in these lands is that of the Great Lizard-Cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini), known in Cuba as Arriero and in Baracoa as Guacaica, its indigenous name. This bird lives only in Cuba and the Bahamas and it measures around 50 cm (or 19.7 inches), with that strikingly long tail. It moves stealthily from branch to branch and rarely lets you see the entirety of its body.

The Gray-fronted Quail-Dove (Geotrygon caniceps, called Camao in Cuba) is normally detected by its smooth vocalizations deep in the understory, although sometimes it can be seen walking on the dead leaves along narrow trails. This Cuban endemic bird is extremely shy, but it is sometimes possible to see it if you are careful and patient.

There’s yet another thrill waiting for you at the end of this third stretch of your hike. Behold the delicate Mount Iberia Frog (Eleutherodactylus iberia). Measuring less than 1 cm (0.4 inches), this local endemic species is one of the smallest frogs in the planet.

Further down in this post you will find a few more pictures of bird species living in Loma de Piedra and El Recreo. But first, we would like to let you know that this excursion ends in the clear and cool waters of river Taco, where you can cool down after an intense morning filled with new discoveries.

By now, you may be feeling a bit (or very) hungry! After the hike and the river bath, you can enjoy a nice traditional farmers’ lunch at the El Recreo community, or a fish and seafood meal at Maguana Beach on your way back to Baracoa.

When’s the Best Time to Explore the Loma de Piedra Trail?

This trail is wonderful any time of the year. As you can imagine, the species of plants and trees that will be blooming will vary according to the month when you visit the national park.

In terms of the birds, at the communities of Bahía de Taco and El Recreo, where this trail starts and ends, respectively, it is possible to watch a variety of species, some of them super noisy and cool such as the Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus, which we call Cao Montero) and the Cuban Amazon (Amazona leucocephala, called Cotorra Cubana in Spanish). The first one lives only in Cuba and the Caicos Islands. The second one, in Cuba, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

Between October and April, you will be able to see a larger number of bird species, as migratory birds from North America are present in the national park. For instance, the Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens), the American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla), and the Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor).

Then, between April and August, other species migrate from the south of the continent to breed in Cuba. These include the Black-whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus); the Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis); and the Antillean Nighthawk (Chordeiles gundlachii).

For all these migratory species, we strongly recommend a birding excursion in the Yara-Majayara Protected Area.

The Key to A Great Excursion – Retaining the Best Guides

Observing and appreciating the rarest flora and bird species at Alexander Humboldt National Park requires the support of specialized guides for such fields. Here at Villa Paradiso, we support our guests as they organize their flora and birding excursions, connecting them with the best guides in the region.

If you wish to do a shorter birdwatching hike at the national park, we recommend doing only El Recreo Trail.

If you wish to explore the Loma de Piedra Trail simply to enjoy the hike itself and the views, the national park’s local guides are excellent.

Did You Know?

Cuba has 29 endemic bird species. One of them, the Cuban Macaw (Ara tricolor) has long been extinct – the last specimen was captured at the Zapata peninsula as far back as 1864.

BirdLife International and Cuban expert ornithologists have designated Alexander Humboldt National Park as one of Cuba’s Important Areas for Birds (IBA 027). The park is the last area where two critically endangered species could be living: the Cuban Kite (Chondrohierax wilsonii) and the Cuban subspecies of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis bairdii).

Experts consider that any remaining individuals of the Cuban Ivory-billed Woodpecker must live in remote, difficult to access areas pf the National Park. Several expeditions since the 1990s have failed to spot it, including one in 2016 by world-class ornithologists Tim Gallagher and  Martjan Lammertink.

As is the case in many places around the world, various bird species in Cuba are victims of unscrupulous traffickers. Needless to say, the birds at Alexander Humboldt National Park are adequately protected.

Practical information and budget details

• All trails in Humboldt Park have excellent guides who belong to local communities and who know these lands since their childhood. Their knowledge covers the history of the protected area, general aspects of the flora and the fauna, the area’s farmer culture, and traditional medicine. Using a guide at the park is compulsory – you cannot explore it unaccompanied.
• If you wish to discover a wider range of flora and bird species, including the rarest of them, we recommend retaining a specialized guide for such topics. We will be delighted to help you connect with one of them.
• To access the National Park, you must go through the facilities at the entrance, which include a Visitors Centre as well as washrooms.
• The price for hiking the Loma de Piedra trail is 1,400 CUP per person, which includes a local guide’s service.
• From Baracoa, a taxi for the day to Humboldt Park charges 50 USD or euros for up to two people. For 3 or more people, the average price is 60 USD or euros.
• Don’t forget to bring sufficient water to drink and a sandwich or other form of snack.
• At the end of the trail (if you link to El Recreo trail after Loma de Piedra), you will cross river Taco’s waters a few times. We recommend wearing water shoes for these crossings if your feet are not used to walking on river stones (which can sometimes be slippery too). Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!
• We encourage you to offer your guide a tip, an always welcome extra bit of income for a local family. Likewise, we encourage you to buy from local women at the park entrance the sweets they offer to visitors (such as almond or peanut brittle, or the grated coconut cucuruchos typical of Baracoa). Those treats can be a great source of energy during the hike. And such little expenses help more local families benefit from a more sustainable tourism.
• We invite you to learn more about sustainable tourism in the Baracoa region.
• Don’t miss the photos and videos of El Copal trail and El Recreo trail in Alexander Humboldt National Park, as well as the photos and videos of Taco Bay and the Balcon de Iberia trail.
• If you love hiking, we invite to check out our post on the best trails in Baracoa.

Sources and Recommended Reading

We are grateful to Wisdenilde Navarro, aka El Indio de Humboldt, official guide at the National Park, and Noel Coutin Lobaina, a great Baracoan flora connoisseur for having enriched our multiple hikes along Loma de Piedra trail.

On the topic of birding, we recommend the following publications:

• Kirkconnell, A., y O.H. Garrido, (2024), Field Guide to the Birds of Cuba (Second Edition), Comstick Publishing Association / Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 243 pp.
• Navarro, Nils, (2015), Endemic Birds of Cuba. A Comprehensive Field Guide. Ediciones Nuevos Mundos, 168 pp.
• Navarro, Nils, (2025), Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Cuba 2025 (Number 8). Ediciones Nuevos Mundos.

On the topic of flora and other aspects of the national park, this blog post draws data and information from the following books and publications:

• Begué-Quiala, G. y Larramendi Joa, J., eds., (2013), Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt, la naturaleza y el hombre, Ciudad de Guatemala, Ediciones Polymita, 176 pp.
• Coutin Lobaina, Noel (2023), Inventario de las orquídeas del Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt – Sector Baracoa, Ediciones Nuevos Mundos / Selvi Ediciones, St. Augustine, Florida y Valencia, España, 71 pp.
• García-Beltrán, J.A., et al (Eds.). Catálogo de las Plantas de Cuba. Planta! – Plantlife Conservation Society, Vancouver. https://doi.org/10.70925/cat.2024
• González Torres, L.R., et al (Eds.) (2016). Lista roja de la flora de Cuba. Bissea 10 (número especial 1), 352 pp.
• UNESCO, World Heritage Sites List: Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt.