Valley Hikes
Port Antonio

Perfect for the adventure traveler who really wants to get out and see more of Jamaica, Valley Hikes offers guided hikes into some of the most interesting regions of Jamaica. Tours are operated by one of 18 trail guides from the surrounding communities; all have been trained and certified by the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Excursions include visits to the Valley communities to meet descendants of Nanny of the Maroons, Jamaica’s only national heroine.

The goals of Valley Hikes are not only to introduce travelers to this region but also to generate income for the area residents and to promote and develop ecotourism in the Rio Grande Valley.

The company has developed many trails that offer a variety of experiences, from soft-adventure to rugged. Many hikes take place under a forested canopy that is home to many endemic bird species as well as the swallowtail butterfly.

Valley Hikes also works to promote environmental conservation by organizing special training for trail guides, sponsoring clean-up activities and environmental awareness programs.
In the Lower Valley, travelers staying in Port Antonio should budget two hours for return travel time to and from all hikes. The hikes include:

Darley Trail: This four-hour hike over medium grade begins at Berridale and crosses the Rio Grande by raft. You then continue with an easy walk to the Say River, following its course and passing three waterfalls.

Stanton Trail: This three- to four-hour hike of easy to medium grade offers the choice of two loop trails. Trails begin at Stanton and both offer a panoramic view of the Rio Grande.

Plantation Trails: These two- to four-hour hikes of moderate grade also offer two options. The long hike starts at Premiers Bananas and takes the Golden Vale route. On this hike, you meet at the end of a teak-lined walk and travel through banana and coffee plantations. The shorter hike is a loop trail that starts in Berridale and includes a tour of a local farm and plantation.

Bird Watching Trails: Valley Hikes offers several hikes along different trails of easy to medium difficulty; budget one to four hours for these hikes. You can pick the difficulty level and length of hike you’d like to take.

In the Middle Valley, budget three hours return travel time to Port Antonio hotels for these hikes:
Mooretown Trails and Falls: This four-hour hike over moderate grade starts in the community of Mooretown, home to descendants of the Maroons. Groups meet the Colonel, the leader of the community, on arrival.

Nanny Falls: This two- to three-hour walk over easy terrain is a good short hike in the Rio Grande Valley. It begins in Mooretown and continues down a dirt road. Along the way, you can sample fruits, learn about the herbal medicines and take a swim in Nanny Falls.

Cornwall Barracks and Dry River Falls: This three- to four-hour hike over moderate grade starts at

Cornwall Barracks. You’ll cross a swinging bridge over the Rio Grande and continue for an hour to Dry River Falls. The return hike takes in more of the Rio Grande Valley as well as Maroontown.

Nanny Town: This overnight trip includes two full days of hiking over very difficult grade. It starts at Coopers Hill and follows a trail to Nanny Town, where you’ll overnight at a campsite on the Makunnu River. The trail continues to Johns Hall, a deserted village, and travels along steep slopes of the Blue Mountains.

In the Upper Valley, several hikes are offered. Times given below include four hours return travel time to Port Antonio hotels.

White River Trail: This nine- to 10-hour hike over hard grade starts at Millbank and continues to White River, which is known as a good spot to see swallowtail butterflies. Fit travelers can follow the river upstream to see the seven falls. On the return hike, the trail follows a higher ground to Millbank for excellent views.

Guava River Trail: This seven-hour hike over difficult terrain starts at Bellevue. The trail winds into the heart of the Blue Mountains, following the Guava River much of the time. You can swim and dive in the river and – if you’re super-fit – can continue upstream to see hot springs.

Watch Hill: This four- to five-hour hike over moderate grade offers two options to reach Watch Hill, once used by the Maroons as a lookout. Along the way you’ll see banana plantations still in use and an 18th-century sugar plantation.