La Gran Piedra

La Gran Piedra Review

La Gran Piedra, a gigantic rock offshoot of the Sierra Maestra, rises 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) and offers views of Haiti and Jamaica on clear days. Visibility is best first thing in the morning. The cutoff to it from the Carretera de Siboney is right beyond the Prado de las Esculturas, a contemporary sculpture garden that's one of several points of interest near La Gran Piedra. The road to the peak climbs about 15 km (9 mi), passing from lush jungle vegetation—with towering bamboo and palms that block out the sun—to scrub forest open to the rays and affording great views. The road ends at a hotel and restaurant; a large stairway leads to the rock peak from here. To one side of the peak is the Jardín la Idalia, a colorful farm with gardens full of tropical flowers. It's sometimes called the "Jardín Ave de Paraíso" for the bird of paradise flowers that grow here.