Massif de la Hotte

A mountain range in southwestern Haiti, the massif forms a compact highland region noted for steep ridges and cloud forest. It is one of Haiti’s principal centers of biodiversity and endemism.

The area draws researchers and nature-oriented visitors for its endemic flora and fauna and for hiking of rugged forested ridges. Key features include high-elevation cloud forest, karstic terrain, and isolated valleys that support species found nowhere else.

The massif has long been occupied by local communities and has become the focus of conservation efforts in the 20th and 21st centuries because of its unique biodiversity. Portions were later designated for formal protection to conserve remaining primary forest and endemic species.

Situated in the far southwest of Haiti, the massif runs near the Tiburon Peninsula; its higher peaks, including Pic Macaya, dominate the local landscape. The region is remote from Haiti’s main cities and is accessed via provincial roads and trails.

• Biodiversity: Recognised as a biodiversity hotspot with high levels of endemism, especially for plants and amphibians.
• Access: Steep terrain and limited road access make many parts of the massif remote and biologically intact.

What to See#

• Pic Macaya: One of the range’s highest summits, rising to about 2,347 metres and located in the western part of the massif.
• Macaya National Park: A protected area that conserves primary forest and endemic species; the park contains steep ridges, cloud forest and many endemic plants and amphibians.