Four really good hiking trails in Jamaica

Four really good hiking trails

Jamaica is a green, mountainous island that offers interesting walking trails.

Blue Mountain Peak Trail

Ascending from Portland Gap, the Blue Mountain Peak trail takes approximately 2.5 hours as it’s a 5.6 km (3.5 mile) hike. You’ll enjoy Jamaica’s highest peak and beautiful, natural landscape. Coffee lovers take note: this is home to Jamaica’s famous Blue Mountain Coffee! Hikers can choose to hike with or without a guide; this depends 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 seldom used, so a knowledgeable local guide is absolutely essential.

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 (or run 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 Red Stripe beer is always ice cold.

Mayfield Falls

Nestled in 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, consequently not overly commercial. The climb takes anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours, depending on how long you want to splash around in the pools and “Washing Machine” falls. A delicious jerk chicken lunch awaits at the end of the waterfall climb.

Adaptation of Susanne Richard’s article