la gran piedra (the big rock)

最高点海拔1234米，可以先开车到达山腰的酒店再徒步上山顶。山顶风比较大，远远望去海天相接，传说中天气好的时候可以看到海地，不知是真是假。

At approximately 6500 ft, La Gran Piedra features amazing views of the coastline and the interior mountains. The climb is not difficult as the steps are spaced out by the path - it is not a straight climb to the top. You feel the change in air pressure and your legs will feel a bit rubbery as you go. If you go early in the morning, be sure to wear something warm - it's only 15C at the top. With being so high up, you are often enveloped by mist as the clouds waft over and around you. The vendor at the foot of the steps up La Gran Piedra sells delicious local chocolate for only 1CUC for 2 bars, as well as local coffee beans. It costs 2CUC pp and the taxi was 80CUC from Club Amigo Los Corales.

Abut 450 steps at staircases to get to the top. But it is worth it - great view. Simpe, but nice restaurant below the Piedra.

Beautiful panorama and a must see. Get a driver and go visit this beautiful site. While there stay at the Gran Piedra Hotel. The views are spectacular. Take in the coffee farm and the botanical gardens are really amazing. Remember to bring a jacket or sweater it can get chilly up there

Good to get out of Santiago, see some of impressive countryside, and drink a coffee made by a coffee farmer's wife that was better than anything we found in Santiago!

It is basically a huge rock on a mountaintop. Superb panorama from 1200 meters. Beware of the cooler weather and the stairs to the rock.

b/c it's the big rock! lol. if you like nature and your kids like rocks..it's a sight for tired eyes - and awake eyes - short trip to get there - won't take you long either - bring walking shoes - digi cam or mobile cam - androids & iphones take da best pics - just saying!

The road is dangerous but the view on top of la Gran Piedra is priceless. Be ready to climb quite a few stairs

a another high point ,the view was breathtaking from this point...it s located about 25 km from downtowm santiago..a good place to take some nice photos

I walked up in 1995 . I seem to remember the top area as being larger . It was cloudy then also . Oh well , 20 years from now it may seem different , who knows ?

When we took the road to La Gran Piedra did not know how the road was, bumpy, full of holes and sometimes scary to drive, then you arrive ( well you think you have) and the stairs starts right there. Astonishing views, great air, amazing experience. Every cuban hopes to see La gran Piedra at least once in a lifetime, so take the time to do it in a decent car. They have a restaurant with local food. Of course you will visit the highest Gift shop Cubas when you reach the top.

I was looking forward to do some trek finally in Cuba, see some nature - instead you get a ride almost to the top, and then walk for 10 minutes. The rock itself is actually pretty small, and if you are out of luck (I read somewhere it's most of the time), it's covered in clouds and you see nothing but a scary building right next to it. On the other hand, the way there is actually interesting (vilages, steep road etc.)...

On a cloudless day, the view is lovely and you can see the Caribbean. We drove the road up in our rented KIA Picanto. This road is "doable" but one needs to be careful. It is full of potholes, switchbacks, and cattle. The doable part of the road ends at Gran Piedra. The road to the coffee plantation is rough. However, The plantation is a short enjoyable walk. We easily climbed the steps to Grand Piedra and we are in our 60's. There is also a dirt path on the other side which is rough but walkable. There is no charge to go the pathway.At the top there is a wonderful 360 degree view. There are vendors selling their wares who were not pushy. It is relatively cool here which makes this a pleasant trip on a clear day. We went twice. The first time there were clouds at the top of the mountain and there was little view. We also suggest that this trip is done early in the day. We went around 800 and there was no vehicles going down.

You have to be reasonably fit to climb the steps up or to go the roundabout way up the track, which is quite steep in the final stages. Also steep wooden steps for about 10m onto the top of the rock. Sound footwear is recommended particularly if damp or wet. Enterprising souvenir stall right on the top. If not covered in cloud then the view would be outstanding.

It's very hot and a long hike to the top, so we found a cuban car to take us there and near to the top (a 'taxi particular' rather than registered government taxi, as this is cheaper). Then it's a short walk from the carpark to the very top. We're glad we did this, as I love to hike but not in that heat!