TRAIL NAME: Blackwood Allen
DURATION*: 2 hours
DISTANCE: 1.2 miles
LEVEL**: Moderate
DESCRIPTION: This trail follows a series of steep climb and descends through a lush portion of the Centre Hills, including a formerly active agricultural village known as Underwood. There are two sections, east and west. Both are often done together, or you can shorten the journey by exiting the forest via the Underwood trail which bisects the eastern and western portions of the Blackwood Allen at approximately the half-way point.
TRAIL NAME: Dry Waterfall
DURATION*: 1.5 hours each way
DISTANCE: 1.2 miles
LEVEL**: Moderate
DESCRIPTION: This trail is often wet and slippery, with dramatic cliffs rising on either side. There are several moderate gullies to cross, and some of the trails climb directly through the rocky bed of Soldier Ghaut. The actual waterfall is about 100 feet high, but only runs in the rainy season or after heavy rainfall. It is still worth the hike even when the weather has been dry! The return journey retraces the same path by which you entered.
TRAIL NAME: Duberry
DURATION*: 45 minutes
DISTANCE: 0.5 mile
LEVEL**: Light
DESCRIPTION: This can be done on its own or serve as a connector between The Cot and The Oriole Walkway trails. It is a short hike with mostly gentle slopes through the dry forest. There is a marked picnic area in a clearing in the forest that is not far from the southern end of the trail.
TRAIL NAME: Jack Boy Hill
DESCRIPTION: Many people make the return journey up and down Jack Boy Hill, however those seeking a longer and even more strenuous experience may also continue on from the summit to Katy Hill and points beyond.
TRAIL NAME: Jack Boy Hill
DURATION*: 1 hour each way
DISTANCE: 0.8 mile
LEVEL**: Difficult
DESCRIPTION: The trail begins just above the Jack Boy Visitor Facility and rises steeply up the western slope of Jack Boy Hill. There are several opportunities to look out towards the Tar River Valley in the southeast. From the summit, unless you are planning to continue on to Katy Hill, turn and retrace your steps along the same path that you ascended.
TRAIL NAME: Jack Boy/Katy Connector
DURATION*: 2 hours
DISTANCE: 0.4 mile
LEVEL**: Extreme
DESCRIPTION: From the summit of Jack Boy Hill, this trail continues westward, descending steeply and climbing again until you reach the junction of the Katy Hill South and Big River trails.
TRAIL NAME: Katy Hill Trail System
DESCRIPTION: This is a trail system where you will definitely need a guide as the trail becomes quickly overgrown due to almost constant moisture and it is easy to lose one’s way. Note also that it is easy to become lost or disoriented high up amidst the fog that is often present at the summit. Hikers should be prepared for a very strenuous experience, as well as mud and moisture in the Katy Hill cloud forest. Be sure to pack snacks and plenty of water to keep your energy up. There are several route options to choose from.
TRAIL NAME: Big River
DURATION*: 1.5 hours
DISTANCE: 0.7 mile
LEVEL**: Extreme
DESCRIPTION: This is a strenuous section of trail connecting the agricultural lands at upper Blakes to a narrow upland saddle. It twists, ascends, and descends several times, crossing and then rising up the rocky ghaut of Big River before a steep ascent to the eastern ridge approach to Katy Hill.
TRAIL NAME: Katy Hill South
DURATION*: 3.5 hours
DISTANCE: 1.6 miles
LEVEL**: Extreme
DESCRIPTION: This portion of the trail system connects a moderately sloping route from the east to the long ridge of Katy Hill’s summit, passing across the disused MVO helipad. From the southern summit, an excellent view of the volcano is afforded on a clear day. The ridge top is comprised of unique elfin woodland vegetation, one of the last remaining examples of this threatened habitat in Montserrat. From the northern summit, the path diverges to Baker Hill or upper Blakes.
TRAIL NAME: Katy Hill North
DURATION*: 0.5 hours
DISTANCE: 0.6 miles
LEVEL**: Extreme
DESCRIPTION: This is the most direct route up or down Katy Hill, but not the easiest! This trail is very steep and the terrain very uneven. Not for the faint of heart, the route follows a ridge along the north face of Katy Hill where slopes of up to 80 degrees fall off on either side of the narrow trail. There are
wonderful views of the north of Montserrat from the higher portions of this route.
TRAIL NAME: Baker to Katy
DURATION*: 3 hours
DISTANCE: 1.0 mile
LEVEL**: Extreme
DESCRIPTION: From Baker Hill, the first part of this trail rises moderately, traversing dense forest. Farther along to the east approaching Katy Hill, the terrain becomes steeper and more uneven, with a very challenging final ascent to Katy Hill’s northern summit.
TRAIL NAME: Oriole Walkway
DURATION*: 2 hours
DISTANCE: 1.3 miles
LEVEL**: Moderate
DESCRIPTION: This is the most popular hiking trail in Montserrat. With a trail guide, you are very likely to see and/or hear the national bird from this trail. From either direction, the trail ascends gently then steeply to the top of Lawyer’s Mountain. A short spur to a clearing at the highest point of the trail affords breathtaking views of the island to the north and south.
TRAIL NAME: Rendezvous Beach
DURATION*: 1 hour each way
DISTANCE: 1.3 miles
LEVEL**: Moderate
DESCRIPTION: If you don’t feel up to the entire Silver Hills trail, you can still be rewarded with a modest hike to Rendezvous Bay - where wonderful swimming and snorkelling opportunities await you at Montserrat’s only white-sand beach. Use the same trail to go and return, which originates behind the concrete block company in Little Bay and climbs steeply over a saddle and descends steeply into the Rendezvous valley, taking you directly to the beach. There are no facilities at Rendezvous Beach, so be prepared. Snorkelling gear can be rented from one of the two dive shops in Little Bay. A hat and sunscreen are advised for this trail, which has very little tree cover.
TRAIL NAME: Rendezvous
DURATION*: 3.5 hours
DISTANCE: 1.9 mile
LEVEL**: Difficult
DESCRIPTION: A hat, sunscreen, and extra water are advised for this trail, and it is recommended that you get an early start to avoid the midday and afternoon heat. Though you can do this trail in reverse, most begin this trail at Drummonds on the dirt road leading northward from the end of the paved road and the last of the houses. Continue up the dirt road until you reach a three-way junction. Follow the left-hand road to the north-west through dry forest and open grassland. The trail slopes steeply downward to Rendezvous Bay, where you can detour for a swim or continue on over the saddle towards the south, ending with a descent into Little Bay.
TRAIL NAME: The Cot
DURATION*: 1.5 hours
DISTANCE: 1.6 miles
LEVEL**: Light
DESCRIPTION: The trail begins just south of the National Trust on an unpaved road heading uphill. The path winds up a gentle slope broken occasionally by small farms. From the top, follow the arrow and trail northward through ferns and fruit trees. You will then descend to a point where you can rejoin the main road at the telephone exchange for a short walk southward to the National Trust.
TRAIL NAME: Underwood
DURATION*: 45 minutes
DISTANCE: 1.0 mile
LEVEL**: Light
DESCRIPTION: Connecting Barzeys to the Blackwood Allen trail, this offers a short hike through former agricultural lands and also enters the dense forest. Although affording mostly modest slopes, there are a couple of sections that can get slippery. At the junction with the Blackwood Allen trail, turn and retrace your steps along the same path that you ascended unless you plan to continue on the Blackwood Allen and finish elsewhere.
