HIKING

You are invited to experience the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area and enjoy breathtaking vistas. Visit the communities, including descendants of Nanny of the Maroons, Jamaica's only National Heroine, and come to understand the true meaning of 'Roots'. Your hosts are trail guides from the communities in the Valley who will make you feel relaxed as you stroll or hike with them through the lush valley. Hikers are guided under misty, forested canopies, along footpaths where you'll see miniature orchids, primordial ferns and lacy moss. The forest is home to numerous endemic birds and the endangered Swallowtail Butterfly, the largest butterfly in the northern hemisphere with a wingspan of six inches.
Hiking tours both in the Rio Grande Valley and the Blue Mountains can be arranged through the hotel or Jamaica Explorations.

A range of trails consisting of varying lengths and different levels of challenge are listed below, however please keep in mind that not all trails may necessarily be available depending on the weather conditions and level of maintenance. Some trails are used more often than others so that some trails get overgrown and may need bushing before they can be used again. The hotel will be able to advise you what is feasible during the period of your stay.

Lower Valley - Estimate 2 hour return travel time to hotel if staying in Port Antonio.

Darley Trail - Walking time: 4 hours. Grade: Medium - The hike starts at Berridale, crossing the Rio Grande by raft. An easy walk then takes you to the River Say. Once there, you follow the river, passing three waterfalls.

Stanton Trail - Walking Time: 3-4 hours. Grade: Easy/Medium - Hikers have a choice of 2 loop trails starting at Stanton. Your reward on either of these trails is the view. Hikers sit in a pasture at the highest point on the trail and have a 3 way panoramic vista of the Rio Grande.

Plantation Trails - Walking Time: 2-4 hours. Grade: Moderate - Hikers have the choice of 2 trails. The longer version starts at Premiers Bananas, taking the Golden Vale route. Hikers meet at the end of the teak lined avenue and proceed through banana and coffee plantations . The shorter hike is a loop trail starting in Berridale. Taking a tour of a local farm and plantation.

Bird Watching Trails - Walking time: 1-4 hours. Grade: Easy/Medium - A number of trails have been selected, each offering a large number and variety of birds along the way. Hikers request the length and grade of walk they require.

Middle Valley - Estimate 3 hours return travel time to hotel if staying in Port Antonio.

Mooretown Trails & Falls - Walking Time: 4 hours. Grade: Moderate - This loop trail starts at Mooretown. This is the Maroons' community. The 'Maroons', are the descendents of slaves who were freed by the Spanish when they fled for Cuba and those who ran away from the British plantations. The British fought them on several occasions, but never managed to defeat them. In a treaty with the British the independence of the Maroons was officially recognized. It is customary to meet the Colonel and pay your respects on arrival here.

Nanny Falls - Walking Time: 2-3 hours; Grade: Easy - This short trail is a must for people wanting a short hike and is one of the most beautiful in Portland with excellent swimming opportunities.

Cornwall Barracks & Dry River Falls - Walking Time: 3-4 hours. Grade: Moderate. These trails start at Cornwall Barracks. Hikers start by crossing the swinging bridge over the Rio Grande and then proceed for an hour until reaching Dry River Falls.

Nanny Town - Walking Time: Overnight/Two full days walking. Grade: Very Hard and not for the faint -hearted. Starting from Coopers Hill hikers take a trail to Nanny Town, named after the 18th century warrior priestess who led the Maroons against the British. Overnight accommodations are situated at the campsite on the Makunnu River. The return hike passes Johns Hall, a deserted village and along precipitous mountain slopes.

Upper Valley - Estimate 4 hours return travel time to hotel if staying in Port Antonio.

White River Trail - Walking Time: 5-6 hours. Grade: Hard - Starting at Millbank the trail goes to the White River. This is a two-hour walk. The White River is the home to the giant swallowtail butterfly. Follow the river upstream to see the seven falls and swim, in the first pool. The return journey takes the higher grounds back to Millbank. The views are excellent.

Guava River Trail - Walking Time: 7 hours. Grade: Hard - This trail starts at Bellevue and goes into the heartland of the Blue Mountains, most of the route following the Guava River. The clear waters and numerous falls make it one of the most scenic hikes in Jamaica. There are many opportunities for swimming and diving and there are hot streams further upstream. Hikers return at a more leisurely pace to Bellevue.

Watch Hill - Walking Time - 4-5 hours; Grade: Moderate - Hikers can choose two options for getting to Watch Hill, once a very important look out point for the Maroons. This trail features banana plantations and an old 18th century sugar plantation.

Rafting - US$52 per couple