The Blue Mountains

Rising steeply behind Kingston, the Blue Mountains are Jamaica's highest and most majestic range, a cool, misty world of cloud forest, tumbling rivers and terraced coffee plantations, protected within the Blue and John Crow Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site. The slopes produce the celebrated Blue Mountain coffee, among the most prized and expensive on earth, sampled at plantations and cafes. Hikers tackle scenic forest trails and the classic pre-dawn trek to the 2,256-metre Blue Mountain Peak, timed to reach the summit for a spectacular sunrise.

What you actually see

• Blue Mountain Peak - the pre-dawn hike to the sunrise summit.
• The coffee plantations - the tours and tastings of Blue Mountain coffee.
• The cloud forest - the lush trails, rivers and birdlife.
• The mountain villages - the cool hillside communities and views.

When to go

November to April, the drier season, for the clearest weather and firmest trails; the Blue Mountain Peak hike starts around midnight to reach the summit for sunrise. The mountains are cool, especially at night, so bring warm layers, a contrast to the tropical coast below.

Honest expectations

The mountain roads are steep, winding and rough, best tackled with a guide or sturdy vehicle, and the peak hike is long, dark and demanding, though rewarding. The weather is often misty, cloaking views. As a cool, green, adventurous contrast to Jamaica's beaches, with world-famous coffee and a magical sunrise summit, though, the Blue Mountains are a wonderful and less-visited highlight.

Nearby

The capital Kingston and its cultural sights lie at the foot of the range.