Your hike at a glance
This is a past outing. These details are kept for reference.
- Date
- Saturday, 24 January 2026
- Departure
- 6:30 AM
- Difficulty
- Hard What levels mean
- Distance
- 4 mi out-and-back
- Cost
- Free to join
About this hike
Catherine's Peak is the highest point in the parish of St. Andrew, rising to 5,050 feet within the Blue Mountains. It is named after Catherine Long, the wife of Sir Henry Moore, who served as Governor of Jamaica in the mid-1700s, as she is believed to have been the first white woman to scale the peak, making the ascent in 1760. The summit is easily spotted from a distance, identifiable by the cluster of communications antennas at the top. The trailhead begins at Newcastle, a Jamaica Defence Force training camp, where hikers can park and set off on foot.
Is this hike right for you?
Every hike has a level from 1 (easiest) to 10 (toughest). If you're new, start around Level 1–4 and work up. See what each level means →
It's a hike, not a race: we move at the group's pace and take breaks together. Read the first-hike guide →
Arrive on time, bring water, and wear footwear suited to the terrain. Conditions can change quickly in the Jamaican hills — check the forecast the night before.
Meet our leaders and how we keep the group safe →
Joining Lifestyle Hikers is free. Most hikers carpool or meet us at the meeting point; for out-of-town hikes we usually arrange transport at a shared cost, shown above.