Topes de Collantes is a protected nature park in the Escambray Mountains, 20 km north of Trinidad at 800 metres elevation. The change from the hot colonial town to cool cloud forest happens in about thirty minutes of driving up a winding road, and the landscape at the top — dripping moss, tree ferns, orchids, and endemic birds — is a genuine contrast.
The main attraction for hikers is the Salto del Caburní, a 62-metre waterfall reached by a 3.5 km trail through the forest. The path is well maintained and marked, with a cool natural swimming pool at the base of the falls. The park also has trails to coffee plantation ruins and endemic bird habitat (the Cuban trogon, the Cuban tocororo, and the bee hummingbird — the world's smallest bird — have all been seen here). Tours can be arranged in Trinidad; public transport is infrequent, so most visitors come by taxi or tour.