If you think trekking Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp is strenuous, let St. Kitts’ Mount Liamuiga humble you. My hike there was the most challenging I’ve personally experienced (and yes, I have hiked Kilimanjaro).
At 3,793 feet, Mount Liamuiga is the tallest peak on the island of St. Kitts. To summit the stratovolcano, be prepared to scale rocks and use tree roots to pull yourself up. Keep an eye out for monkeys along the way, since the mammals were brought to the island by early French settlers in the 17th century. The hike up takes about three hours, and once you’re at the top, if you turn right, you’ll see views of a crater rim after scaling just a few more rocks.
The trails are not clearly marked, which means it’s easy to get lost. To ensure safety, hire O’Neil from O’Neil’s Rainforest Tours. He is a legend on Mount Liamuiga, making the journey as often as seven times a week for just shy of 50 years.
I can speak from personal experience that O’Neil nearly saved my life. On the trek down, sudden rain made for unsafe conditions on the muddy trails fairly quickly. I slipped and ended up with a nasty quadriceps contusion, but O’Neil patiently helped me down the mountain while cracking jokes, making what would have been a pretty horrid experience into a fun memory, injury aside. I’d avoid this hike if there’s even a small chance of rain, but otherwise, be prepared to break a serious sweat.
Where to stay: Royal St. Kitts has villas with private pools, which is a great way to unwind after an intense journey. The property is closely situated to many great restaurants to fuel up before or after your hike, like Rock Lobster, which is less than a 10-minute walk away. Order the Lobster Thermidor for one of the most decadent meals of your life.
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