The Blue Mountains Jamaica dominate the parishes of St. Thomas, Portland, St.Mary and Kingston on the eastern coast of Jamaica. This mountain range sprawls along the eastern side of Jamaica for around 28 miles.
The highest point in Jamaica is Blue Mountain Peak at 2,256m (7,402 feet).
This mountain forest area has over 800 species of endemic plants. The Blue Mountains is also the home to the Jamaican Swallowtail butterfly and is also one of the largest bird habitats in the region.
There are also a few hundred species of flowering plants in the Blue Mountain Park.
Blue Mountain Jamaica Map
How to get There
If you are in Kingston you can drive up to Papine and go along the Gordon Town Road. You then turn onto the Irish Town Road. You can journey to Newcastle from here.
You can also drive pass the New Castle Army Camp and exit in Buff Bay on the Northern side of the island. If you want to explore Jamaica this is an excellent route. The roads are narrow but the views are gorgeous.
If you are in the Silver Hill area you will pass a few waterfalls by the roadside. If you feel like taking pictures a great photo op would be at the falls used by Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours on their downhill bicycle tour.
Turn left up the hill once you pass the Silver Hill Police Station and the Silver Hill primary school. Once you are on the bridge you will see the waterfalls.
On your way to Buff Bay, you will also pass through Charles Town. You can also visit the Maroon museum in Charles Town.
An alternative entry point to the Jamaica Blue Mountains is to continue straight along the Gordon Town Road and travel to Mavis Bank. Mavis Bank is the main launching point if you plan to climb up Blue Mountain Peak.
If you are planning to climb the Blue Mountains in Jamaica you can park your car at the Mavis Bank Police Station and have someone from your lodge pick you up. Whitfield Hall offers this transportation option.
If you are in Portland you can explore the foothills of the Blue Mountain by taking the Bowden Road that runs adjacent to the Rio Grande river.
Blue Mountain National Park
The Blue Mountain and John Crow Mountain national park was recently named as a UNESCO world heritage site.
This national park consists of over 200,000 acres in the Blue Mountain range and encompasses the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary and Portland.
Blue Mountains Jamaica Recreational Parks
The main recreational park is Hollywell. If you are travelling from Kingston it takes about one hour to get there. Hollywell is around 15 minutes from the New Castle army camp.
There are a number of picnic areas and log cabins in this park. There is also a kids discovery zone. It’s a great play area to keep the children occupied.
There are around five nature trails in this park
Blue Mahoe Trail (350 meters): This short trail will take you through a forest of Blue Mahoe, Pine and other trees and ferns.
Oatley Mountain Trail (1.2 kilometers): This trail has a steep ascent to the Oatley Mountain Peak. You can get great views of the parishes of St. Mary, St. Andrew and Portland.
Waterfall Trail (1.3 kilometers): This trails runs along the mountain edge and culminates at a small waterfall.
Shelter Trail (650 meters): This trails is great if you are travelling with children. There is a great view of Portland at the end.
Wag Water/ Dicks Pond Trail (630 meters): This trail takes you through forest areas. You pass the beginning of the Wag Water stream.
Cabins / Camping
Hollywell park has a few log cabins for rental. All utilities are provided, the only thing you need to do is bring food and toiletries. The park also has a BBQ pit.
Guided Tours
You can also book guided tours. A few of the tours available are listed below:
- Bird-watching Tours
- Coffee Tours
- Nature and Coffee Tour
- Gordon Town to Redlight or Gordon Town to Greenwich Trail
Hiking to Blue Mountain Peak Jamaica
Have you always wanted to climb Blue Mountain Peak Jamaica? We have all the information you need. Most hikers prefer to arrive on the peak for sunrise.
If you arrive later there is a chance you will be surrounded by mist and be unable to see anything.
Most hikers usually overnight at a lodge such as Whitfield Hall or Wildflower Lodge and start their journey around 2:00 am or 3:00 am in the morning. It will take around 3 to 4 hours to make the 7-mile journey to the peak.
The steepest part of the journey is the section known as Jacobs Ladder. If you arrive on the peak on a clear day you can see Buff Bay in the North and the city of Kingston in the South. If you are lucky you can see the outline of Cuba on the horizon.
The staff at Whitfield Hall or Wildflower Lodge can arrange to pick you up at Mavis Bank or in Kingston. They can also arrange a local guide. The best time to attempt to climb the Blue Mountain peak is during the dry season from December to April.
Blue Mountain Jamaica Coffee Tours
Blue Mountain Coffee is known as one of the best coffees in the world. Only coffee that is grown between 2,000 feet and 5,000 feet is allowed to use the name Blue Mountain for their coffee.
There are two main coffee tours the Mavis Bank coffee factory tour and the Craighton Estate Blue Mountain Coffee Tour.
Blue Mountains Jamaica Facts & Trivia
- Blue Mountain peak Jamaica is the sixth highest peak in the Caribbean.
- The Blue and John Crow Mountains are a world heritage site.
- The Blue Mountains National park is the largest area of natural forest in Jamaica.
- The Blue Mountains National park consists of 10 watershed management units, covering four parishes.
- There are over 1.357 flowering plants with over 25% being endemic to the Jamaican Blue Mountain area.
- All Jamaica’s 29 endemic bird species can be found in the Blue Mountain Area.
- The largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere is endemic to this area.
Blue Mountain Jamaica Tours
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours
- Sun venture tours – Bird watching and Hiking tours.
- Lime Tree Farm
Blue Mountain Jamaica Hotels – Mavis Bank side
If you plan to climb Blue Mountain peak more than likely you will overnight at a hotel in Mavis Bank. A few hotel options are Lime Tree Farm, Whitfield Hall and Forres Park Guest House.
Blue Mountain Jamaica Hotels – Newcastle Side
If you are looking for a Mountain weekend getaway or you simply want to experience a different side of Jamaica for a few days here are a few suggestions. If you feel like splurging Strawberry Hill Hotel is a good option. Enjoy gorgeous views of the city of Kingston. If you are on a budget the Mount Edge Guesthouse and Starlight Chalet are a few options.
Places to Eat
Strawberry Hills, Eits, Gap Café, Café Blue, Starlight Chalet, Crystal Edge
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