Hike to Mt El Tucuche on Saturday

It is recognisable by its two altitudinous peaks, visible from miles around. Two places to see its grandeur are from Luengo Village in the Maracas, St Joseph Valley and Rincon Village on the North Coast Road. The climb to the summit is always a memorable and breathtaking experience.

Some do it for the pleasure of adventure, accomplishment and to improve one’s fitness.

Tucuche is an Amerindian word that refers to the hummingbird and living on the mountain slopes are several species. Some common names are the copper-rumped, black-throated mango, white-tailed sabrewing, tufted-coquette, white-chested emerald and rufous-breasted hermit. Also found on El Tucuche is the golden tree frog (Phyllodytes Auratus) which lives inside the water brackets of the giant bromeliad plant at elevations of 800- 940 metres. This frog is endemic to Trinidad but its survival is threatened by forest destruction and man’s intervention.

There are several routes to access the summit, however, the preferred one is from Hobal Trace in the Maracas, St Joseph Valley.

Depending on one’s fitness the climb to the first peak will take one-and-a-half- to two hours. Visible from the first peak are fantastic views of the Las Cuevas Valley. While getting to the second peak is more challenging one can see a magnificent panorama of Maracas Bay. A colourful flower growing peak two is the Psammisia Urichiana with its red trumpet petals and yellow tips.

On the return, there is the option to divert off the main path and visit the Morang Pools for a refreshing dip. This route passes through abandoned cocoa and tonka bean estates. The primary source of the Maracas, St Joseph River begins in the valley.

Fitness Walkers will explore the summit of Mt El Tucuche with a return visit to the Morang Pools.

Assembly: 7 am at Eastern Main Rd and Abercromby St. (next to St. Joseph Mosque) Rating: 6 (challenging) Hike begins: Hobal Trace in Maracas, St Joseph.

Average hiking time: 2 hours one-way For more info: www.

islandhikers.com.