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Jamaica:
Get Blue

By John Bigley and Paris Permenter

If you know coffee, you know Jamaica's Blue Mountains; indeed, many hikes into this cool, rugged region weave through coffee fields. Just keep in mind that Jamaica is not the safest place to veer off the beaten path without a guide or at least some direction from a tour company — there are some well-protected ganja fields hidden out there. The Blue Mountains-John Crow National Park is filled with sites to challenge adventure travelers of all types — hikers, birders, mountain bikers, and more.


Feeling blue? Trek up
to Jamaica's Blue Mountains

For a real lung-expanding hike, set your sights on Blue Mountain Peak, the highest mountain in Jamaica at 7,400 feet. Intrepid climbers begin their ascent very early (4 a.m.) to watch the sunrise from the mountaintop, but it's advisable to hire a guide if you plan to climb in the dark. You'll trek through coffee plantations and banana and papaya groves, which change to wilder forest as you reach the higher altitudes.

Trip Facts
Difficulty rating: Moderate  Hardcore
When to go: Year-round




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