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Cuba🇨🇺 | hikesLoma de la CruzStone staircase, summit cross, town panorama, street snacks | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Loma de la Cruz
👀 For curious travelershike ranked #9
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Loma de la Cruz is a hill, not a long trek, and many travelers expect a full day hike when it is a short climb of under an hour. It sits in Holguín in eastern Cuba, a few blocks from the center of the city, so you reach the start on foot. The 458 steps are the whole workout. Skip the midday slog, since the stairs have little shade. Go late afternoon for the view over the red-tiled roofs and palms. I once bought a small paper cone of peanuts and a cold Cristal beer from a vendor at the base for about US$2, and ate them on the steps. At the top, a cross stands on a stone platform.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Cuba Travel Guide.
Best time to go: November - April
Duration: 1 hour
Distance: 1 kilometers
Total ascent: 120 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 hike in CubaReasons people choose to hike the here

Loma de la Cruz earns its place on a route through eastern Cuba because it asks for so little. The climb starts at the edge of Holguín’s old center, so you can drop your pack at a casa particular, walk up in under an hour and be back for dinner. There is no transport to sort out and no guide to hire.

The payoff is the view. From the top you see the grid of Holguín, the City of Parks, the green plains running toward the coast. The 458 steps give the climb a clear goal, and the hill works as an easy leg-stretcher between long bus rides toward Santiago or Baracoa.

It also lets you see local life. Families, students and couples climb up in the evening, and the cross is the focus of the Romerías de Mayo festival each spring.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. The Cross at the Summit: A large cross stands on the hilltop, placed in the 1790s by a priest, and the whole climb is built around it. Locals touch it on pilgrimage days.
  2. The 458-Step Staircase: Whitewashed concrete steps run straight up from the foot of the hill. Counting them is a local habit, and the shade of trees on the lower flights makes the first half easier.
  3. Panorama of Holguín: From the platform you can see the city’s red roofs, parks and church towers laid out below. Late afternoon gives the softest light for photographs.
  4. Romerías de Mayo Pilgrimage: In early May the hill fills with crowds, music and processions. Visit then if you want to see the climb as a ritual rather than a view.
  5. Hilltop Gardens and Rest Spots: Along the stairs and at the top there are benches and small landings
… read more 👉
  1. The Cross at the Summit: A large cross stands on the hilltop, placed in the 1790s by a priest, and the whole climb is built around it. Locals touch it on pilgrimage days.
  2. The 458-Step Staircase: Whitewashed concrete steps run straight up from the foot of the hill. Counting them is a local habit, and the shade of trees on the lower flights makes the first half easier.
  3. Panorama of Holguín: From the platform you can see the city’s red roofs, parks and church towers laid out below. Late afternoon gives the softest light for photographs.
  4. Romerías de Mayo Pilgrimage: In early May the hill fills with crowds, music and processions. Visit then if you want to see the climb as a ritual rather than a view.
  5. Hilltop Gardens and Rest Spots: Along the stairs and at the top there are benches and small landings where you can sit and look out. Vendors at the base sell drinks and snacks.
Loma de la Cruz needs no ticket or advance booking, though a small fee may be asked at the base in busy periods.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

November to April is the window for climbing Loma de la Cruz, with dry air and the least mud on the final stretch.
  • Dry Season (Nov to Apr): Days run 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F), nights 16 to 21°C (61 to 70°F). Daylight lasts roughly 10.5 to 12 hours. Views over Holguín are clearest, and this is when most visitors come, so expect more company on the steps.
  • Hot, Wet Season (May to Oct): Highs reach 32 to 35°C (90 to 95°F) with heavy humidity and afternoon storms. Climb at first light. Daylight stretches to about 13.5 hours. Casa particular rates and taxi fares usually soften a little.
  • Hurricane Peak (Aug to Oct): Storm warnings can close the site and disrupt transport.
  • Holidays: Christmas, New Year and Easter bring Cuban families and pricier rooms in Holguín.
Start before 8 a.m. in any month and you get cooler air and a quieter hilltop.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Cuba

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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🥾 Hike detailsKey facts about the Loma de la Cruz hike

Total Distance: Loma de la Cruz is a short climb of well under 1 kilometer one way, with the stairs as the main route.
Duration: Plan 30 to 60 minutes up and back, plus time at the summit.
Difficulty: Easy, but steep. The 458 steps are tiring in the heat.
Starting Point: The staircase begins at the northern edge of Holguín’s center, a short walk from the main parks. No transport is needed from town.
Major Landmarks:
  • Base of the Stairs: Vendors and a small plaza mark the start.
  • Mid-Landings: Benches let you rest between flights.
  • Summit Cross: A stone platform with the cross and the view.
Terrain and Scenery:
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Loma de la Cruz is a short climb of well under 1 kilometer one way, with the stairs as the main route.
Duration: Plan 30 to 60 minutes up and back, plus time at the summit.
Difficulty: Easy, but steep. The 458 steps are tiring in the heat.
Starting Point: The staircase begins at the northern edge of Holguín’s center, a short walk from the main parks. No transport is needed from town.
Major Landmarks:
  • Base of the Stairs: Vendors and a small plaza mark the start.
  • Mid-Landings: Benches let you rest between flights.
  • Summit Cross: A stone platform with the cross and the view.
Terrain and Scenery: Concrete stairs climb a rounded hill. The view opens over city rooftops, parks and the surrounding plains.
Vegetation: Scattered trees, shrubs and grass cover the slopes, with palms in the city below.
Wildlife: Expect birds and lizards rather than large animals. Dawn and dusk are the best times for birdsong.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Loma de la Cruz

Loma de la Cruz is a short, well-used climb, and the main hazard is heat rather than terrain. The roughly 458 concrete steps are uneven in places and can turn slick after rain, so wear closed shoes with grip instead of flip-flops. Shade is thin, which makes midday ascents tiring from May to October. Carry at least a liter of water, since vendors at the base may run out or charge more. Take a hat and sunscreen. Pace yourself and rest on the landings. The cross at the summit sits in an open spot, so skip the hilltop during thunderstorms. Watch your phone and camera on the crowded top, as petty theft is uncommon but not unknown. No dangerous wildlife lives on the hill.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Loma de la Cruz

Loma de la Cruz takes about 20 to 40 minutes to climb and roughly the same to come down. Allow one to 1.5 hours in total with a stop at the summit for views over Holguín. The steps start a short walk from the city center, near Calle Maceo.
Loma de la Cruz is easy, though the 458 steps are steep enough to make unfit hikers pause on the landings. The hilltop stands about 261 to 275 meters above sea level, a small gain compared with real mountain hikes. Go early in the morning to avoid the heat, and bring water.
Loma de la Cruz needs neither a guide nor a permit. Entry is open and usually costs nothing or only a small fee of about US$1 at the base. A local taxi from central Holguín to the foot of the steps costs around US$2 to 4.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Cuban hikes near Loma de la Cruz

Explore more nearby:

  • Sierra Maestra—Rebel camp history, Turquino ascent, endemic birds, mountain homestays| 100 km away
  • Pico Turquino—Cuba's highest point, mossy cloud forest, guerrilla routes, stream crossings| 117 km away
  • Cuchillas del Toa—Toa River gorge, rapids, epiphyte forest, ridge viewpoints, campesino farms| 174 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Loma de la Cruz needs one evening, nothing more. I would climb it in the late afternoon, stay for the lights coming on across Holguín, and then walk down to dinner. Bring water and small bills for the vendor at the base. A second visit is only worth it during the May pilgrimage.

✈️ When did I visit Cuba?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Cuba for 6 weeks in February, March 2016, being extremely lucky that that coincided with the free concert of The Rolling Stones.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Cuba, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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