Outdoor Activities in Jamaica
Hiking in Jamaica
Only the peaks of the Dominican Republic (+10,000 feet) and Haiti (+9,000 feet) stand taller than the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Serious hikers can take on a two day mini-expedition to the crown of Blue Mountain Peak (7,402 feet), or casual walkers can take a refreshing stroll through a fern gully.The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains make up the eastern two thirds of Jamaica. Kingston and Port Antonio serve as the gateways to this incredible, diverse region. The mountains are covered with forests of pines and dotted by coffee plantations that harvest the most expensive coffee in the world - Blue Mountain coffee.Although the Blue Mountains offer spectacular terrain, please be advised that hiking here is a physically challenging endeavor which requires stamina. The trail system can be complicated and sometimes confusing; hikers may encounter rainy conditions and cold to freezing temperatures during winter nights.
Hikers will traverse a maze of roads, goat tracks, footpaths and trails that will carry them up through woodlands, past isolated mountain towns, secluded farms and finally into the rain forest. Many of Jamaica's largest rivers are born on these slopes and the flanks of the mountains are home to rare and exotic flowers, plants, animals and birds that are indigenous to the island. The views offered from these heights are astounding and worth the journey itself.
It is recommended you take local guides when hiking this fascinating area. The following organizations offer some of the best Blue Mountain hiking tours.
Catherine's Peak
If you're in the mood to get to the top of one of the high peaks quickly - take the road to Newcastle, the site of a Jamaican military post. located at 3,500 feet, the post looks similar to an alpine village. The town is surrounded by pine trees and the air is cool and refreshing. Hikers can follow the paved road that the military troops use to get to the top of Catherine's Peak. At 5, 060 feet the panoramic view includes nearby mountain tops, valleys, and the coastline. Newcastle is also the jumping-off spot to many other major trail areas.Jack's Hill
Just outside Kingston and not far from Catherine's Peak is the mountain town of Jack's Hill (2,059 ft), a hub of eco-adventures and activities. The Maya Lodge is a center for such activities. The Lodge is surrounded by forests of bamboo, pine, ferns and flowers. Here hikers can connect with local guides, or follow the excellent self-guided hike that goes between Jack's Hill and Peter's Rock. The two hour trek takes you along numerous streams, waterfalls, gullies and woodlands. From Peter's Rock you can hook up with trails that continue into the Holywell National Park.- Touring Society of Jamaica (876.974.5831) - Runs a program with local people called "Keeping Company", which offers hiking tours into various parts of Jamaica, including the Blue Mountains.
- Sense Adventures (876.927.2097) - Specializes in two-day treks to the top of the Blue Mountains, as well as outdoor adventure activities throughout the country.
- Pine Grove Lodge (876.922.8705) - A great base of operations to hike many nearby trails. The Lodge provides tours and jeep trips as well.
