Belham Valley

The Belham valley runs down the western side of Montserrat from the volcano to the sea, and lahars, volcanic mudflows carrying ash and rock down after rain, have filled it repeatedly since the eruption began. The valley floor rose by many metres. A golf course, a bridge and houses are under the deposit, with roofs showing through in places, and the road across is regraded whenever a new flow comes down.

What you actually see

• The filled valley floor - ground raised many metres by mudflow deposit.
• The buried structures - roofs and walls showing through the fill.
• The crossing - a road regraded after each new flow.
• The lahar path - the route material takes off the mountain after rain.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and flows are less likely. The valley must not be crossed during or after heavy rain. Access follows the current hazard level.

Honest expectations

Lahars come down this valley with little warning after rain and the crossing is genuinely dangerous at those times. Access depends on the hazard level in force, which changes. Follow local direction rather than a map.

Nearby

Woodlands is north, and Garibaldi Hill overlooks the valley.