Backpacking & Camping in Jamaica – Trails, Guides, Tour Operators & Campsites
Looking for a longer trek through Jamaica’s wilderness? No Problem – There are a number of trails in the Blue Mountains and Cockpit Country where you can spend a couple of days in the bush.
The best Jamaica backpacking trails include:
- Blue Mountain Peak Trail from Mavis Bank
- Starting at Mavis Bank this trail takes you to Penlyne Castle and Abbey Green before reaching Portland Gap and the peak itself
- This trail is approximately 10 miles (18km) long one-way, taking approximately 12-16 hours (return).
- Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park’s ‘Portland Gap Recreation Area’ offers rustic accommodations (rooms with bunk beds) as well as a campsite.
- Note: You can also walk the 11 miles (18km) from Papine (Outskirts of Kingston) to Mavis Bank.
- Old Vinegar Hill Trail (just outside of Kingston)
- 25 miles one way, with optional 10 mile return hike to a spectacular waterfalls
- Nanny Town Trail
- Two full days of challenging hiking will take you entirely through the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park (from west to east) – Starting at Coopers Hill, following a trail to Nanny Town (campsite on the Makunnu River) and ends at Johns Hall.
- Cunha Cunha Pass
- This south-north trail crosses the north-eastern Blue Mountains from St. Thomas parish to Portland Parish
- Accommodations (rustic cabins) can be found at Ambassabeth
The best Jamaica Campgrounds include:
- Holywell Recreation Area offers three furnished cabins as well as a campsite and picnic area
- Blue Mountain Wilderness Retreat, deep in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, offers three furnished cabins as well as a campsite.
- There are also a few campgrounds at Treasure Beach (on the south-west coast between Negril and Kingston) as well as near Negril…
To enjoy Jamaica Backpacking – from the Kingston area, these local Tour Operators will take good care of you (Click on a Tour Operator name below for more details):
Sun Venture Tours Jamaica – Guided Backpacking Adventures
- Grand Ridge Crossing / Extreme Wilderness Adventure
- A 12 Hour overnight wilderness hike in the Blue Mountains – from Bangor Ridge (Portland) to Cinchona Gardens (St. Andrew)
- One night Accommodation at the Retreat (base Camp) plus One Night Accommodation in the Forest
- Fish Dunn Waterfalls (Mabess Gorge) Expedition
- 8 hours return wilderness hike to the spectacular Fish Dunn Falls in the Blue Mountains. The hike ends at the Mabess river with a Traditional riverside cookout, swimming and relaxation. One night Accommodation at the Retreat (base Camp)
- Degree of difficulty: 8.5/10
- Cockpit Country Crossing
- 10 hours crossing of the island through Jamaica’s largest wet limestone wilderness
- Trafalgar Uncharted
- 10 hours return hike through extreme wilderness from the Blue Mountain Wilderness Retreat (Bangor Ridge, Portland) to Trafalgar Coffee Estate Ruins
- One night Accommodation at the Retreat (base Camp)
- Camping & Guided Hiking from the Blue Mountain Wilderness Retreat
- International Summer Camp (for Teens and Young Adults)
- Eastern Escape Hike
- Hike to the Mabess River Gorge and Water Falls along with Riverside Cookout
- Hiking Time: 4 Hours
- Degree of difficulty: 6.0/10
- Community Walk-about and Blue Mountain Coffee Farm Tour
- Tours of the Heritage Corridor of the Blue Mountains – The Buff Bay Valley
- Charles Town Maroon Museum Tour
- Shantemee – Blue Mountain Coffee Farm Tour
- Nyam Jam Travel Halt – Games, Swimming and Relaxation
Back to Jamaica Hiking
Back to the Jamaica Vacations
Back to the Caribbean Island Adventures
Back to the Active Caribbean Travel Home page
