If you are up for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, or you want to get in your daily dose of steps, take a hike!

There are more than enough hiking tours for visitors to the island of Jamaica to enjoy.

Tour operators located in the major tourist destination cities on the island can guide you on thrilling-seeking adventures through Jamaica's wet and dry terrain.

And we recommend you leave no one behind, except maybe the little ones who haven't learned quite how to stay stable on two feet!

Now, here's a list of the nine Jamaican hikes you'll never forget. If you're a true nature explorer, you possibly did a few of them already.

1. 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 180-foot climb up a slippery waterfall. There are trusted guides to lead you and your team upstream.

It's best to wear water shoes for this wet hike. The dry hike takes you across the nature trails on the property.



2. 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 experience because you'll get 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.  

3. Reggae Falls, St. Thomas

You'll need a local guide for clear directions and escort to Reggae Falls.

The journey from Seaforth in St. Thomas takes about 17 minutes on foot. You'll find that it's worth the stroll uphill as a beautiful oasis awaits. 



Blue Mountain Peak (from Kingston)

Start your journey to Blue Mountain Peak in the wee hours of the morning, about 2 am. If you start any other time of day, you may find this hike a bit brutal. 

The trail is roughly 10 kilometers so prepare to hike for no less than four hours. 

Once you arrive at the peak, you'll certainly feel accomplished and the striking view ahead will feel like a gift for your leg work. 

NB. If you're new to hiking, try a shorter distance before you take on this beast. 


Watch Hill Trail, Portland

If you're vacationing in Portland, this hike would be ideal for you.

While traveling by foot, you'll pass a river and an old banana and sugar plantation.

It takes roughly four hours to complete the journey, which takes you back to your starting point. 

6. Cockpit Country Trail, Trelawny

The Cockpit Country trail is actually one of the famous hikes on the island.

It's ranked among the more challenging hikes in the Caribbean because the terrain won't be gentle on your feet, so wear comfortable walking shoes.

From Falmouth, it takes about five hours to get to Cockpit Country on foot. The trail is 16 kilometers in distance. 



7. 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 to behold, so carry a great camera or a smartphone that takes clean photos.

The hike is approximately 16 kilometers and takes roughly eight hours. 

You'll need a local guide and hiking experience to tackle this beast of a journey.

8. 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 nine feet so the hike is much shorter than Dunn's River.

You may find the kids doing hiking rounds throughout your day at Mayfield Falls. 

9. Holywell Park, St. Andrew

Holywell actually has a number of nature trails for hikers to explore.

The popular ones are the two-kilometer waterfall hike with multiple swimming holes and the trail, Oatley Mountain Trail, which is roughly five kilometers.

You'll find Holywell 90 minutes from Kingston in the Blue and John Crow Mountain National Park.