Hiking to Seguin
Welcome
to the path to Seguin! This is probably the most notorious of hikes in Haiti.
It can take anywhere from 4-7 hours—depending on how fast you walk. There are
alternatives, too, if you’re not up for walking it. You can ride a mule or take
a moto all the way to the top (or
just when you need a break). On this trip, I chose to walk it…
The
winding paths to Seguin take you along trails daily worn in by pack mules and
women on their way to the marche with
baskets of fresh vegetables. You might even find other travelers making their
way up to Seguin, like my friends and I did. The route is a mixture of dirt and
stone. Steep inclines and harsh turns make this one ideal for mountain
adventurers.
You’ll
find all sorts of business transactions taking place because the mountain hike
is lined with farmland, boutiques, and
homes scattered here and there. I stopped for a chilled bottle of Coca-Cola halfway
up. These men are carrying freshly cut calla lilies.
As I
wound around dirt and stony pathways, I had an uninhibited view of the vast
mountains. Textured slopes and ridges gave me a perspective of just how
beautiful the landscape is when you’re visiting Seguin. There are plenty more scenes
of mountaintops as you make your way uphill. It’s nice to take a break from the
city and its traffic and just escape to the fresh air and endless countryside
(which is less than two hours outside of the capital).
There
are endless panoramic views. I was taking point-and-shoot snaps, and don’t have
much photo knowledge, but the experience in person was breathtaking. There were
many moments when I stopped to simply take in the splendor as we journeyed upwards.
Clouds
rested on mountaintops on the sunny morning and afternoon we hiked up. I’m a
slow hiker, so it took two of my friends and I about seven hours (including
breaks) to reach our destination. If you get started early, you can arrive
sometime in the afternoon.
Depending
on the time of day, the sun’s rays cast shadows from the clouds across the
mountains.
Tilled
mountain sides stretch across wide expanses. These rich harvests are enjoyed by
local households and transported to the capital city. Once in Port-au-Prince,
the produce is sold by marchann and
in local marche to the many inhabits
of the populated city.
Hiking
up to Seguin is appealing to avid hikers because of the majestic views, but
scenes of carefully cultivated crops add an awe-inspiring dynamic. Can you
see the hardworking farmer three fourths of the way up the mountain? Hint: Look
for the small sliver of white from his shirt.
Every
good photo journey needs flowers, so here are some blue ones camping out with
the rest of the greenery.
You’re
bound to pass by grazing cattle and horses if you follow the road to Seguin. I
never knew I had bad knees until I trekked up and down the road to Seguin
(while my good friend lectured me on my poor choice of shoes). Despite my knees
bothering me, there was nothing that could compare to the contentment I felt as
I breathed in the fresh mountain air; gazed upon the beautiful surroundings; and
interacted with others who make the journey regularly.
Once we
reached the top of the mountain, the flat walk to Kay Winnie’s was a nice
relief after completing the last leg of the mountain: the zig-zag incline. Kay
Winnie is famous for offering repo (rest)
after the long and taxing hike. My friends and I shared the joy of bottomless
mugs of mint tea and grilled racks of lamb. We stayed in a tent, rented by Kay
Winnie, but there are cabin options, too. We were well nourished the next
morning before we set off for the hike back down.
The
trip to Seguin was satisfying, and it’s a great way to enjoy the breathtaking
beauty found in Haiti’s nature and landscapes. It also offers a vigorous trek
for those who love hiking!
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