Jamaica might be best known for its beautiful beaches and lively culture, but savvy travellers know there’s no shortage of active options and off-the-beaten-path adventures that also await, from river rafting to caving, and, of course, hiking galore. Tour operators located in the major tourist destination cities on the island can guide through Jamaica’s wet and dry terrain, or trekkers can set out on their own (or with guides).
Here’s a list of nine hikes they’re bound to like:
- Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rios
There are actually two hiking options at this popular tourist attraction in Ocho Rios: Dunn’s River Falls and Waterpark offers a 55-m. climb up a slippery waterfall. There are trusted guides to lead people upstream. It’s best to wear water shoes for this wet hike. The dry hike crosses the nature trails on the property.
- Nanny Falls, Moore Town, Portland
Expect to journey for a little close to an hour to discover Nanny Falls in Moore Town. This hike is an unforgettable, providing a close-up view of the crawling, flying, and even eight-legged inhabitants of the island that do not feature as prominently in Jamaica’s developed, urban areas.
- Reggae Falls, St. Thomas
A local guide for clear directions and escort to Reggae Falls is required for this hike. The journey from Seaforth in St. Thomas takes about 17 minutes on foot and is worth the stroll uphill as a beautiful oasis awaits.
- Blue Mountain Peak (from Kingston)
Start this journey to Blue Mountain Peak in the wee hours of the morning, about 2 a.m. – at any other time of day, it can be a bit brutal. The trail is roughly 10 km so prepare to hike for no less than four hours to the peak, where striking views await. Novice hikers can try a shorter distance before you take on this beast.
- Troy-Windsor Trail, Trelawny
This was the path taken by many Maroons to escape English soldiers on the island in the 1700s. Expect to be enveloped by trees with everlasting branches. The limestone rock formations are beautiful, so carry a great camera or a smartphone that takes clean photos. The hike is approximately 16 km and takes roughly eight hours. A local guide and hiking experience are suggested for the challenging experience.
- Cockpit Country Trail, Trelawny
The Cockpit Country trail is one of the famous hikes on the island and ranked among the more challenging hikes in the Caribbean. From Falmouth, it takes about five hours to get to Cockpit Country on foot. The trail is 16 km long and the terrain is rugged, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Watch Hill Trail, Portland
While traveling by foot, hikers will pass a river and an old banana and sugar plantation. It takes roughly four hours, round trip, to complete the journey.
- Mayfield Falls
Mayfield Falls is located on Dolphin Head Mountain in the parish of Westmoreland. It’s a great waterfall hike for the entire family. The waterfall is roughly 2.75 m. so the hike is much shorter than Dunn’s River.
- Holywell Park, St. Andrew
Holywell actually has a number of nature trails for hikers to explore. The popular ones are the 2-km waterfall hike with multiple swimming holes and the trail, Oatley Mountain Trail, which is roughly 5 km. Holywell is located 90 minutes from Kingston in the Blue and John Crow Mountain National Park.