The 4 Best Hiking Destinations in Jamaica

Most people book a trip to the Caribbean seeking white sandy beaches, a warm turquoise ocean and great rum. But there’s a growing market of active travelers, people who want to do more than simply listen to Bob Marley and lay on the beach for seven consecutive days (not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s your vacation!). If you’re one of these active travelers, this is one blog post you’ll enjoy.

If you’ve never been to Jamaica before it’s important to note that this is one of the larger Caribbean islands. To give you a rough idea, it takes about two hours to drive from Montego Bay to Ochos Rios and that’s just the northern part of the island. But size does have its advantages, and Jamaica offers would-be travelers some of the best hiking in the Caribbean.

Blue Mountain Peak Trail

Ascending from the Portland Gap, the Blue Mountain Peak Trail should take you approximately 2.5 hours as it’s a 5.6 km (3.5 mile) hike. You’ll get to enjoy Jamaica’s highest peak but and the beautiful, natural landscape on your way up. Coffee lovers take note: this is home to Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain Coffee! Active travelers can choose to hike with or without a guide; it’ll depend on your comfort level and experience hiking.

Cockpit Country Trails

Located on the north western part of the island, Cockpit Country is a challenging area as it features steeper hills. Make your way to the Barbecue Bottom Road which runs north-south and from there you’ll find two old historic trails: The Troy Trail and The Quick Step Trail. These trails are not easy to find and are seldom used, so a knowledgeable local guide is absolutely essential on these routes.

Mount Zion Hill Walk

This is not a traditional hike but rather an interesting 2-mile walk from Montego Bay, to an authentic rural community on Mount Zion. At a leisurely pace you’ll reach Mount Zion in 2 hours (you can run it in 40 minutes!) along a well worn path that winds upward through pastures, farms and orchards. Mount Zion boasts a church built in 1861, a primary school that serves the hill communities and a rum shop where the Red Stripe beer is always ice cold.

Mayfield Falls

Nestled in the Dolphin Head Mountains near Westmoreland, Mayfield Falls offers one of the most refreshing hikes in Jamaica! With 2 waterfalls, natural pools, and plenty of tropical plants, birds and butterflies, it’s far enough off the beaten path so as not to be an overly commercial destination. The climb takes anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours, all dependent on how long you want to splash around in the many pools – the “Washing Machine” falls are the most fun. A delicious jerk chicken lunch awaits at the end of the waterfall climb.

This article was written by Susanne Richards for Luxury Retreats http://www.luxuryretreats.com/, a great place to find villas in Jamaica to rent.