Mt Liamuiga

The 3,792 foot summit of Mt Liamuiga is the highest point in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the entire British Leeward Islands. Naturally, this makes it an unparalleled vantage point for taking in the stunning expanses of the Eastern Caribbean. Formerly possessed of the discouraging moniker Mount Misery, Liamuiga comes from the Kalinago name for the island itself, which means “fertile land.” And the mountainsides surrounding this peak are certainly fertile.

Nearly half way up the mountain, the land is a patchwork of farmland and small villages, beyond which tropical rainforest covers the slopes before giving way to cloud forest. Guided tours to the summit are readily available starting from Belmont Estate in St. Pauls. The whole of the island is easily visible from the top, as well as the nearby islands of Saba, Statia, St. Barths, St. Martin, Antigua, and Nevis.

Practical Info

Guided tours typically take approximately 2 hours each way, and the length and elevation gain make the trek unadvisable for children, the elderly or the infirm. Hikers attempting to make the journey alone have reported complications, so take precautions to prepare for poorly marked paths, jungle conditions, and huge rocks and boulders.