Mount Liamuiga and the Rainforest

Mount Liamuiga, the dormant volcano that rises to over 1,150 metres and dominates the island of Saint Kitts, is cloaked in lush, dense tropical rainforest and offers the island's finest inland adventure. Its slopes, thick with towering trees, ferns, lianas and tropical flowers, are alive with birds, butterflies and the island's ubiquitous, mischievous vervet monkeys. A rewarding but strenuous guided hike climbs through the jungle to the rim of the volcano's crater, often wreathed in cloud, revealing the forested crater below and, on clear days, sweeping views over the island and sea, a green, wild contrast to the coast.

Highlights

• The rainforest hike - the trek through lush jungle to the crater.
• The crater rim - the cloud-wreathed volcanic crater.
• The vervet monkeys - the mischievous monkeys of the forest.
• The views - the vistas over the island and sea on clear days.

When to go

December to April, the drier season, for the best hiking conditions, as the rainforest trails become very muddy and slippery in the wet season; even in the dry months, the summit is often cloudy and rain is possible, so an early start and a guide are wise. The forest is cool and shady, a refreshing contrast to the coast.

Practical notes

The hike to the crater is a genuinely strenuous, muddy and steep several-hour trek through rainforest, requiring reasonable fitness, sturdy footwear and ideally a guide, and the cloud-wreathed summit often hides the views; it is a real jungle adventure rather than a gentle walk. For the reward of a lush rainforest alive with wildlife, a volcanic crater and, on clear days, sweeping views, though, and a green contrast to the beaches, Mount Liamuiga is a rewarding highlight for the active.

Nearby

Brimstone Hill, the beaches and the capital Basseterre are within reach.