1. Summary of Our Mount Liamuiga Hike
We explored the breathtaking Mount Liamuiga volcano in St. Kitts, discovering its rich history and lush rainforest surroundings. Led by our knowledgeable guide, we navigated a challenging but rewarding climb to the summit, enjoying unparalleled views and insights into the island’s unique ecosystem.
We expected our Mount Liamuiga Hike in St. Kitts to be a walk in the park. It turns out that the Volcano hike of St. Kitts is a grand adventure. After all, who would have thought that there was an amazing adventure awaiting us on the tiny island nation of St. Kitts? When we think of the Caribbean, we picture vacationers sitting at the pool bar, drinking margaritas and never leaving the beach. This was not the case when we went to the Marriott Resort.
Mount Liamuiga Volcano on St. Kitts
St. Kitts is a destination for those who want to experience the true flavor of the islands. It caters to individuals seeking to explore beyond their resort confines and sample authentic Caribbean life without straying too far outside their comfort zone. St. Kitts offers a wide array of attractions including stunning beaches, verdant rainforests, vibrant parties, and captivating beauty.
However, what truly surprised us was Mount Liamuiga. Standing at 1,166 meters (3,792 feet) high, this dormant volcano offers an exhilarating hiking experience through a dense jungle.
About Our Tour of Mount Liamuiga
We awoke to a clear and sunny day at the St. Kitts Marriott, where our guide, Dion from Greg’s Safaris, greeted us. The hour-long drive to the opposite side of the island was delightful as we bounced along in the back of a truck, skillfully dodging other vehicles, goats, and families strolling along the roadside. This picturesque journey granted us breathtaking views of the St. Kitts coastline, highlighted by a stop at Black Rocks.
A striking cluster of jagged black rocks along the Caribbean Sea, Black Rocks were formed by the lava flow from Mount Liamuiga’s last eruption 1,600 years ago. However, we couldn’t linger long as this sleeping giant awaited our conquest.
About Mount Liamuiga
The name Mount Liamuiga comes from the island’s original name, meaning “fertile island.” This name is indeed fitting, as the area surrounding the mountain is filled with a lush rainforest teeming with exotic trees, plants, and cascading water, not to mention a few spiders. Nevertheless, it wasn’t always so peaceful on this island.
History of St. Kitts
Back in the 1600s, thousands of Carib Indians faced a tragic fate, massacred by the French and English forces who united against a local uprising. The few survivors either fled the island for safer grounds or sought refuge on higher ground, tragically jumping into the volcano’s deep crater.
Mount Misery
Consequently, the English renamed it Mount Misery. Fortunately, centuries later, peace and stability have returned to St. Kitts, and the mountain now proudly bears its original name: Mount Liamuiga.
With our packed lunch from the Marriott in tow, we began the ascent under the guidance of Dion. He enriched our journey with fascinating facts about the mountain’s history and surrounding environment while entertaining us with his fun sense of humor and hearty laughter.
Education on Vacation
Every plant and tree serves a purpose. For instance, the sap from a certain tree can be used as a torch, while the Viper tree can be tapped for fresh drinking water.
The Wonders of the Rainforest
In the rainforest, you really can find everything you need. There are trees that create canoes, those used as building foundations, fire-resistant trees whose sap flows continuously, and trees offering medicinal leaves. Dion’s extensive knowledge about the use of every plant made him one of the best guides we’ve ever encountered!
The Climb up Mount Liamuiga
Our hike was not just educational; it was also a vigorous challenge. Mount Liamuiga features a steep trail winding through the jungle, requiring us to navigate over roots, fallen logs, giant boulders, and slippery paths. This truly authentic rainforest hike presents challenges at every turn.
The trails are narrow and unkempt, with the jungle enveloping us every step of the way. We were surprised by how tough this climb was. Closer to the summit, one needs to scramble over large rocks while securely holding onto sturdy roots or, in some areas, using attached ropes.
While this climb can be exhilarating for experienced hikers, it may overwhelm those who have never ventured into the jungle before. Dion noted that many individuals choose to turn back at the halfway point.
It’s important to remember that this is a tropical island; many visitors typically don’t come here to hike volcanos. Therefore, if they are inexperienced in the outdoors, they might find it challenging. For regular hikers, however, this isn’t a daunting task, but an incredibly enjoyable 5-hour hike.
At the Top of Mount Liamuiga
We reached the summit just in time for the clouds to part, revealing a clear view of Devil’s Tooth, the highest point on the crater. You must snap your pictures quickly since the clouds continually roll in and out, often obscuring the peak in a white haze.
After taking in the glorious views, we prepared for another scramble up the rocks to enjoy our snacks and take a deserved rest before beginning our descent. Perched on the side of Devil’s Tooth, we sat on rocks, marveling at the breathtaking jungle scenery. It was a perfect day, with low humidity, warm weather, and sun shining down upon us.
We couldn’t have been luckier during our hike up to the crater of Mount Liamuiga. If you find yourself in the West Indies at the eastern end of the Caribbean, make sure to venture to St. Kitts and Nevis and give this remarkable hike a try. You certainly won’t be disappointed.
