Mount Liamuiga Volcano Hike to the Highest Peak of St. Kitts

Mount Liamuiga, the volcano of St. Kitts

Mount Liamuiga is the dormant stratovolcano that forms the northern half of St. Kitts and, at about 1,156 metres or over 3,700 feet, is the highest point of the island and of the whole federation. For centuries it was known in English as Mount Misery; it now carries the name Liamuiga, from the old indigenous name of the island, usually translated as fertile land, a nod to the rich volcanic soil on its slopes.

The volcano has not erupted in recorded history, but its shape, its crater and the warm springs at its foot show its volcanic past clearly. Hiking Mount Liamuiga is considered the classic adventure on St. Kitts, and anyone searching for the best hike in St. Kitts will find it at the top of the list. This tour lets you do it safely with a guide who knows the trail well.

The rainforest trail

The trail starts on the northern slopes above the coastal villages, first crossing old sugar-cane land and farm tracks before entering the rainforest. Under the canopy the air becomes cool and humid, and the path climbs steadily between giant tree roots, tree ferns, wild orchids, heliconias and hanging vines. Birdsong fills the forest, and troops of green vervet monkeys, which live wild on the island, are often seen or heard moving through the trees.

The path is narrow and frequently muddy, with roots and steep sections where you use your hands, so good shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are essential. Your guide sets a careful pace, stops to explain plants and wildlife and makes sure everyone stays together. In total you spend about five hours walking up and down, with short rests along the way.

The crater rim and summit views

Near the top the rainforest gives way to a stunted cloud forest, where moss covers every branch and mist often drifts across the trail. Then the ground falls away and you reach the crater rim: a vast bowl around a kilometre wide, its steep walls covered in forest, sometimes with a small pool of water on the floor far below. It is a dramatic, quiet place and the reward for the climb.

On clear days the views stretch over the whole island, from the green slopes and coastline to the neighbouring islands on the horizon, including Sint Eustatius and Saba. Clouds can close in quickly at this height, so enjoy the view when it opens. The best time to hike Mount Liamuiga is in the drier months from December to April, but the trail can be done all year with the right gear.

Basseterre and the coastal road

The day starts in Basseterre, the small capital of St. Kitts, where our guide picks you up at your hotel or rental at about 9:00. Basseterre is known for its colonial heart around Independence Square, the Berkeley Memorial clock in the Circus and its historic churches, and you pass through the town on your way out.

The road then follows the west coast toward the north of the island, passing fishing villages, old plantation sites and the great hilltop fortress of Brimstone Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that you see from the road. This drive gives you a first look at the volcano rising ahead. After the hike, you return along the same coast and are dropped off at your accommodation in the afternoon, tired but happy.