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.
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Jason Laloux
Says:July 8th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
I never realized that Jamaica was such an interesting destination for hiking. I’ll definitely have to check out these trails next time I’m there.
Katherine Scott
Says:July 12th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Great post! I’m not usually one for hiking, but the Mayfield Falls sound like fun. 🙂
Jazz
Says:August 3rd, 2012 at 9:08 am
A nice way to burn off those Red Stripe calories!
Naldo Gray
Says:September 15th, 2014 at 12:31 am
One error, its not calked Cockpit County, but rather “Cockpit Country”…
chris2x
Says:September 15th, 2014 at 8:53 am
Naldo, thanks for the correction!
Denise Allen
Says:August 31st, 2015 at 5:05 am
Great article on trails in Jamaica
MGCS
Says:February 8th, 2016 at 8:28 pm
There are a few trails out there, such as Judgement Cliff that #VisitStThomasJamaica caters to. An all-inclusive hike, history food etc event.
Jamaica has so many untainted and untouched area’s the beauty that is my Island of Jamaica.
Winifred
Says:March 30th, 2017 at 5:07 am
That isn’t a picture of Mayfeild falls, that is a picture of Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios
chris2x
Says:March 30th, 2017 at 10:32 am
Thanks Winifred, I replaced the photo
Carol Kee
Says:January 17th, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Could someone please help me to know how we can sign up for a hiking tour in the Blue Mountains. It would be best if we could find a guide or an organized hiking group to go with. We will be in Jamaica between February 1 and February 7.
Thank you.
chris2x
Says:January 17th, 2018 at 10:44 pm
Carol, I am not sure, the only one I see is a bit expensive https://www.partner.viator.com/en/11802/tours/Kingston/Scenic-Blue-Mountain-Tour-from-Kingston/d22634-40590P1
Alexandra Parfenov
Says:January 20th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
I can’t find on Google maps mt.Zion – where is it?
chris2x
Says:January 21st, 2018 at 8:40 am
search for mount zion jamaica, it shows up right by Faiths Pen
Sim
Says:January 25th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
For blue mountain hike you can contact Leon Barnaby 894 7990 or Stokely rose 366 0435
Kris
Says:February 22nd, 2019 at 8:47 pm
There is either another Montego Bay or another Mount Zion because I see it on a map as 70+ mile walk
chris2x
Says:February 23rd, 2019 at 9:27 am
Yes, looks like there are more than one and Google does not seem to know “Mt Zion Hill”.