With its abundance of jungles, waterfalls and caves, Belize can simply make you’re feeling like an intrepid explorer.
Abounding with alternatives to expertise nature, the Central American nation has 17 nationwide parks, three nature reserves, 5 pure monuments, seven wildlife sanctuaries, 16 forest reserves, eight marine reserves, seven chicken sanctuaries and numerous personal reserves – all in an space solely a little bit greater than New Jersey.
Naturally, Belize has loads of nice hikes that can show you how to get a better have a look at the pure treasures this nation has to supply. Is mountain climbing tough in Belize? Total, no – you’ll simply discover an tour appropriate on your stage of consolation. But it helps to come back ready.
Sturdy footwear with an excellent tread are a should, particularly throughout the wet season when some trails can get slippery. Because you’ll discover many a critter slithering or crawling on the bottom, closed footwear normally are the higher choice. You’ll additionally want loads of water and bug repellent, whereas binoculars are extremely beneficial if you wish to view the wildlife.
So that are the highest hikes in Belize? Right here’s our decide of one of the best.
1. Victoria Peak Path
Greatest multi-day hike
About 34 miles (55km) spherical journey, 3–4 days, tough
At 3675ft (1120m), Victoria Peak is the second-highest mountain in Belize. It’s situated within the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary within the Stann Creek District – and the chance to see an abundance of wildlife, together with jaguars, makes this climb a Belizean bucket-list merchandise. You have to be skilled and match, although, and it’s beneficial that you just house the journey over not less than three or 4 days.
The hike begins on the park headquarters, following a comparatively flat grime highway to an ATV-accessible picnic spot/campground round 8 miles (13km) away on the banks of the Sittee River. Then it’s rather less than 4 miles (6.5km) by the jungle alongside more and more steep terrain to KM19, the place most individuals camp for the evening. The following leg is the climb to the summit and again; as you climb larger, the bushes make approach for smaller crops. There’s a bit simply earlier than the summit the place you’ll want to make use of ropes and harnesses. For the descent, you may camp at KM19 once more or push by to the start line.
You have to do the Victoria Peak hike in Belize accompanied by a licensed information. As well as, you may solely set out between February 1 and Might 31, throughout the dry season. You have to ebook prematurely with the Belize Audubon Society.
2. Ben’s Bluff Path
Greatest hike for views with out the exertion
About 2.5 miles (4km) spherical journey, 1–2 hours, reasonable
In order for you views of the Stann Creek District with out the exertion of the Victoria Peak hike, Ben’s Bluff Path makes for an ideal various. It’s additionally situated within the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and is open year-round.
The straightforward first a part of the hike takes you to a small waterfall the place you may swim. After that, a slim path leads as much as Ben’s Bluff, the place good views are your reward. Although many of the path is roofed by tree cover, the trail is cleared, which makes for a snug stroll. But issues can get muddy, particularly within the wet season, and also you’re unlikely to see a lot wildlife apart from birds and small reptiles.
3. Crystal Cave Path
Greatest hike for caves
As much as 1 hour every approach, tough
The most effective mountain climbing excursions in Belize is the Crystal Cave Path in St Herman’s Blue Gap Nationwide Park within the Cayo District. You’ll be able to ebook this guided tour with one in every of a number of dependable native firms.
The mountain climbing half includes a strenuous uphill climb by the forest, which takes between 45 minutes and an hour. On the Crystal Cave entrance, you’ll rappel some 15 toes down into the opening (the tour firm will provide the gear you want for this), which is thought regionally as Mountain Cow Cave. From there, your information will lead you deeper underground to take a look at the artifacts and relics left behind by the traditional Maya, together with the skeletal stays of sacrificial victims. The stalactites and stalagmites are one thing to behold, too.
Notice that exploring the cave includes plenty of scrambling and crawling alongside slim passages, so put on footwear with an excellent tread – and be ready to get soiled. The period of the complete tour is determined by the tour firm however will take not less than 5 hours.
4. Antelope Falls
Greatest hike for waterfalls
About 2.25 miles (3.6km) spherical journey, 1–1.5 hours, tough
Mayflower Bocawina Nationwide Park close to Dangriga could very properly be probably the most stunning place to hike in Belize, with its blue-green streams and waterfalls in a dense jungle. You could spot spider monkeys, howler monkeys, tapirs, ocelots and (when you’re very fortunate) a jaguar.
The Antelope Falls path begins out pretty straightforward, following a large path. Close to the beginning of the path, you’ll move the Maintzunun ruins, consisting of an unexcavated mound. As you go alongside, the trail will get steadily steeper in between flat stretches. Simply whenever you assume it’s not as unhealthy as you anticipated, you’ll attain the approximate midway level – and end up grabbing onto tree roots and assist ropes that can assist you up.
Whenever you attain the highest of the falls, which cascade down about 1000ft (305m), take a couple of minutes to catch your breath and admire the views. Then proceed for an additional couple of minutes to a fantastic pool for a swim earlier than heading again down.
5. Lamanai Ruins
Greatest hike for historical past lovers
A loop of about 1 mile (1.6km), 20–25 minutes, reasonable
The Lamanai Archaeological Reserve within the Orange Stroll District is a Mayan web site relationship again to across the sixteenth century. It’s situated on the banks of the New River and may be reached by highway or speedboat.
When you can full the loop across the web site in lower than half an hour, we suggest taking your time to discover the ruins themselves and do some bird-watching. You may additionally spot monkeys and different creatures. The terrain is flat, although stone steps by the ruins may be exhausting in your knees and leg muscle tissue.
6. San Pedro Reef and Village Areas Stroll
Greatest seaside hike
About 6 miles spherical journey, 2 hours, straightforward
Belize jungle treks could also be all the fad, however don’t neglect that this nation additionally has some critically glorious seashores. A simple however very satisfying seaside stroll takes you alongside the jap coast of Ambergris Caye, between the Belize Barrier Reef space on the southern tip of the island and the city of San Pedro.
The stroll is principally on compact sand, with some grassy areas in between. Windswept palms and ocean views characteristic all alongside the way in which. If you happen to get thirsty, there’s no scarcity of seaside bars for refueling.
