THE 5 BEST Jamaica Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails in Jamaica
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Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails
Parks • Hiking Trails
River Rafting & Tubing • Bodies of Water
Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • Hiking Trails
What travelers are saying
- Mandy11 contributionsA cute drive up Fern Gully as we had rented a car. Right at the top there's a view point with a bar, which we accidentally across. Beautiful views of lush greens. Be careful of you do step out though, it's a prime spot to be motten by mosquitos. We drove back through it to get to the main town but it was just as lovely and mesmerising.Written January 17, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Active Caribbean TravelToronto, Canada160 contributionsThe adventure started when I was picked up at the bus terminal in Kingston. It was a 2-hour drive to a Rasta lodge somewhere in the Blue Mountains. The drive was slow as we ventured on some pretty rough roads to get there - All part of the experience!
I woke at 1:30am, got dressed, had a bite then went outside to meet the rest of the hiking group. There were 7 of us in total, including two Rasta guides. I’ve never hiked in the dark before, so this was a new experience for me. We started the up-hill trek around 2 in the morning, so it was fairly cold – A first for me in the Caribbean. We started the hike on a rough road that past a couple of properties and within a few minutes, we were on ‘Jacobs ladder’ - a long and lazy switchback dirt road with many ‘washed out’ ruts. It was fairly steep at this point and I heated up quite quickly, so I peeled off my coat and was back to my usual Caribbean hiking attire of shorts and a t-shirt.
It was dark, with our headlamps providing the only light, so I didn’t see much of the trail in advance, rather I just put one foot in front of the other and kept moving forward – Basically focusing the light and my attention on the ground, so as to keep my footing.
Once we were passed Portland gap the temperature suddenly dropped again and we were there… At the peak 7,450 feet (2,270m) above sea level! It took us about 3.5 hours, taking only a couple of quick rest stops, to make it to Blue Mountain Peak. It was still dark and I couldn’t see much. After a few minutes, my body had cooled down from the hike and the cold really started to set in so I put my coat and winter hat on and waited for the sun to rise...
As it became more and more light out, I realized that the shapes all around us, weren’t mountain tops, but were in fact clouds… We were above the clouds! That was a stunning surprise! As the sun slowly climbed over the horizon, we could start to see the surrounding valleys and distant mountain ranges, as well as Kingston’s twinkling lights below us near the coast.
On the way down the mountain, I realized that the top half of the trail weaves its way through heavy rain-forest canopy, although there were occasional breaks, when I could see coffee plantations, several valleys, ridges and mountains, as well as some coastline in the distance.
What an awesome "bucket list" experience!Written February 13, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Meredith C1 contributionJamaica's tourist traps highlight the natural beauty of the country at exorbitant prices, and while I enjoy them, they are so highly catered to foreigners that I feel as though I've traveled across an ocean just to arrive at the same place. If you want to truly speak to Jamaicans, explore parts of Jamaica most tourists don't want to see, and avoid expensive tourist attractions, this is the place to find your personalized tour.
I stumbled across this gem while walking out on Mystic Mountain (it was a bit pricey for me) and wondering what to do for the rest of the day. A Jamaican man stopped me and brought me across the street to One Love Trail. As an Asian American woman traveling alone, I was nervous at first to go with him, but I saw that other tourists were doing the same, so I cautiously followed.
One Love Trail might be smaller, but it is one of the few attractions truly owned by the locals. You walk with one of the guides, entrance is free (but you should tip at the end unless you're a horrible person), and you get as much out of the experience as you're willing to give, so ask questions! My guide, nicknamed Weedman, was constantly smoking a joint and seemed intent on enjoying life (marijuana was decriminalized in Jamaica a few years back). He was knowledgeable about nature, broke open almonds for me, and enthusiastic to tell me not only about the falls or fish we saw, but what they meant about how he and other Jamaicans experience life.
If after the main tour (~30 minutes) you've had enough, you can tip your guide whatever you wish and be on your way, but I had time to burn, so I asked Weedman to give me a personalized tour of Ocho Rios, specifically the parts that aren't catering to the tourists but are still what make the town run.
Thus we browsed the markets and ate at a local restaurant. He told everyone I wasn't buying, so I just took photos and got a free tomato. We went to a free park created for Jamaicans and saw koi and turtles. He showed me his paintings and encouraged me to pursue my own writing passions. We walked everywhere, but he was attendant to my needs, at one point hailing and paying himself for a cab. He made sure he left me at the bus station with enough cash to get home. I only wish I could've tipped him more, but I only travel with so much cash at one time.
What I wanted at the beginning of the day was to walk around all parts of Ocho Rios unaccosted, and that's exactly what I got. However, the guides here are knowledgeable and esoteric enough that if you're looking for a different experience, like going out into the villages or seeing other parts of Jamaica that most people don't get to see, you can probably find the guide you want here.
And I highly recommend Weedman. He was a bit flirtatious with me, but I always felt safe, and we ended up exchanging life stories. He's led an interesting life, or so he says! If you want to know more, just ask him how he lost his teeth.Written November 21, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - John WLodi, CA12 contributionsMy wife booked this activity, and I was pleasantly surprised by the day. Chukka is the company at our resort, so we booked their ride on the Great River rather than the Martha Brae. Our captain, Allen, was informative and charming. The ride ended way too soon!Written March 24, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dibigman7 contributionsThe cool hills that overlook Kingston were a perfect getaway for us !! had a blast with Ramon and the team.Written March 26, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jamaica
- These experiences are best for hiking trails in Jamaica:
- 4-Hours Bike, Hike & Waterfall Tour in Blue Mountain with Lunch and Pick Up
- Montego Bay Exotic Herbs, Birds and Animals Interaction Tour
- Dunn's River/ Blue Hole Waterfall Combo
- Healing Guided Nature Experience and Waterfall Brunch in Jamaica
- Dunn's River Falls & Luminous Lagoon Guided Tour from Montego Bay
- These places are best for hiking trails in Jamaica:See more hiking trails in Jamaica on Tripadvisor