El Tucuche

El Tucuche reaches 936 metres and is the second highest point in Trinidad, and the climb through it passes from cocoa and citrus at the bottom through closed rainforest to elfin woodland near the top, where the trees are stunted and hung with bromeliads and mosses. The golden tree frog, found only on this peak and on Cerro del Aripo, breeds in water held in the giant bromeliads. The round trip takes six to eight hours.

Background

The peak stands in Trinidad's Northern Range and is known for its pyramid shape, and Amerindian lore treats it as a sacred mountain. Petroglyphs carved by Amerindians on a rock outcrop below it are the only ones in the country known to archaeologists. Hikers pass two summits: the first, above 2,000 feet, has a 1000 feet sheer cliff, and the higher second one lies at over 3,000 feet. Maracas falls, at 91.5 meters the nation's highest waterfall, is in the foothills, and about 2,000 people live in Lluengo village at the base. Wildlife includes the red brocket deer, fer-de-lance, bearded bellbird and emperor morpho butterfly, with heliconias on the lower and middle slopes.

Source: Wikipedia, "El Tucuche"

Highlights

• The elfin woodland - stunted mossy forest near the summit, unlike anything lower down.
• The golden tree frog - a species found only here and on Cerro del Aripo.
• The giant bromeliads - the tank plants the frog breeds in.
• The forest zones - cocoa, rainforest and elfin woodland passed in one climb.

When to go

January to May is the dry season and the only sensible window. The wet season makes the trail treacherous. Early starts avoid afternoon rain and heat.

Good to know

The trail is steep, muddy and poorly marked, and a guide is strongly advisable. The round trip is a long day and not for casual walkers. The summit is often in cloud with no view.

Nearby

Maracas valley is below, and Cerro del Aripo is east.

Key facts