By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
The Caribbean’s lush and mountainous topography lends itself to some of the best hiking on the planet, treating trampers to tropical foliage and sightings of indigenous birds and animals, culminating with panoramic views of the Caribbean in all its glory. So if you’re ready to leave your poolside chaise, check out these wow-worthy climbs. From leisurely to lung-busting, they’re the ten best hikes in the Caribbean.
Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica 115 miles-long, the Caribbean’s first long-distance walking trail is divided into 14 segments, which certainly challenge hikers’ endurance but also delight them, with rainforest, waterfalls and Kalinago villages as highlights.
Mont Pelee, Martinique This hike involves scaling the imposing, 4,583-foot Mont Pelee, the still-active volcano that destroyed the town of St. Pierre in 1902. There are a number of places to start from, offering a range of difficulties from the accessible to the very advanced. It offers once of the most incredible views you’ll find in the Caribbean.
Nevis Peak, Nevis Smack in the center of this tiny island, its imposing presence visible from every point, the volcano also known as Mount Nevis is 3,232 feet-tall and best attempted by fit, experienced and adventurous hikers prepared for the rigors of the steep, often slippery terrain. Hiring a local guide is strongly recommended.
Blue Mountain Peak, Jamaica You’ll definitely have earned yourself a cup of Jamaica’s prized brew after conquering its highest peak (7,402 feet up), which requires an overnight half way up the mountain and then a pre-dawn start. Your reward: experiencing the daily miracle of sunrise over Kingston.
Buck Island, USVI When on St. Croix, sail over to this 176-acre islet about five miles offshore from Christiansted for a brisk 15-minute hike up its peak, at which stunning views of St. Thomas and St. John afloat in cerulean seas are revealed.
Gros Piton, St Lucia The larger of the island’s iconic volcanic peaks tests hikers with a challenging climb 2,619 feet up to its summit. It’ll likely take you between three and five hours round-trip, but awe-inspiring views of surrounding islands along the way and the emerald patchwork of St. Lucia below make every minute worth it.
Mount Royal, Canouan The journey to the highest point of this 3.5-square-mile Grenadine is short (it takes 30 minutes) but steep, its aloe-studded slopes rising sharply to the 877-foot-high peak, where Mayreau, Union Island, Carriacou and Petit St. Vincent appear on the horizon.
Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts This island’s highest point (formerly Mount Misery) is 3,792 feet-tall, and surmounting it is a challenging, day-long adventure in the company of professional guides. There’s a stunning crater on the way to the top, and once there, weather permitting, you’ll be treated to a stunning island panorama, with Saba, Statia, St. Barths, St. Maarten, Antigua and Nevis in view.
Mount Scenery, Saba You really can’t say you’ve been to this Dutch-Caribbean outpost (a hiker’s mecca) without having climbed the 1,064 steps up this dormant volcano, which, at 2,855 feet, is also highest point in the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands.
El Yunque, Puerto Rico The only rainforest in the U.S. national park system boasts 20,000 biologically diverse acres and several hiking trails, but our favorite is the easy easy 30-minute hike to La Mina waterfall, which, naturally, ends with a dip in the refreshing cascade.