Mount Qua Qua is located in Grand Etang National Park, in Grenada’s mountainous centre. Next, we took the number 6 bus which deposited us right at the entrance to Grand Etang National Park and the starting point of the Mount Qua Qua hike. “Looking for another Rainforest hike? Head to Concord Falls…” So, early one morning, our Airbnb hosts dropped us in River Sallee where we jumped on the number 9 bus to Grenville. You will be missed.Our opportunity arose when we were staying in the village of Bathway, on the northeast coast of Grenada. I would like to say Chris, I hope in some way you were able to see the beauty of this adventure. I undertook this hike in memory of a friend who had passed away a few days before. The views and sense of accomplishment though are unparalleled.
![mount quaqua mount quaqua](https://www.tropicalparadisetours.net/uploads/1/1/9/8/119802685/img-4969_orig.jpg)
I really recommend this hike, it is strenuous and probably one of the hardest ones I’ve done on the island.
#Mount quaqua full#
After a full 4-5 hours we made it to the bottom in one piece. It was as steep coming up as going down ), and we really needed to watch our footing. Selfie time :).Īfter having lunch and taking numerous pictures we took on the daunting task of climbing back down. You feel on top of the world up there, overlooking a 50 story drop in all directions! On top of the world! The final push. There was a very large boulder at the top, which of course we had to climb up on.
![mount quaqua mount quaqua](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/0a/f3/3b/partway-up.jpg)
You could see all the way over to the Atlantic side and Caribbean side of Grenada, viewing two oceans at once. We stood at the summit of a mountain at 2370 ft, overlooking the entire island. Reaching the top we all felt an overwhelming sense of amazement. Whenever anyone needed a break or photo op, the group was very accommodating. Our group for this hike was awesome, very enthusiastic and well paced. We were getting very excited at this point, the summit was closer then ever. I feel like this plant is something out of the Hunger Games. I was very careful to avoid it after that, still ending up with a few cuts on my face, arms and legs :|. I felt a sharp prick and all of a sudden my hand was bleeding? Rodger, our guide explained to me that this type of plant had razor sharp edges, equip with spikes on the sides that would cut you without you even knowing. This is about the time when I had my first encounter with razor grass. This crater lake was created by a dormant volcano and is rumoured to be connected still to an outflow from Kick ‘Em Jenny a currently active submarine volcano! Don’t go swimming in it ). Half way up to the top Grand Etang Lake becomes visible directly below you. This hike was totally worth it though, because of the beautiful views and shear adrenalin pumping though our bodies. It felt like we were doing lunges the entire way, each step only taking us a tiny bit closer to the summit of the mountain. I wouldn’t call it climbing, but it was close haha. This is why we need a guide!Īn hour in we realized how difficult this hike was going to be. Looks like the right place? Beginning views. After half an hour though, we started to notice the path becoming steeper, muddier and more treacherous. The path started off deceptively calm and flat through groves of tropical flowers. Don’t worry, this time we did take a local friend/guide with us so we wouldn’t get lost in the rainforest (another friend previously got lost on this hike in the forest for a few hours, he’s ok though ? ). I know these aren’t great directions, but hang a right at the monkey, cross the road and start wandering down the path of mud and leaves and there you will find the trail head for Mt. It is filled with local vendors selling spices and fruit, and a regular spot to sight mona monkeys! Chillin with the mona monkeys. The trail head is located at a convenient hub within the park. This is a drive I have done many times, but it is always so beautiful with the sprawling hills littered with candy coloured houses. We started by taking a taxi up into the rainforest. Four hours of near vertical slopes, climbing between two sheer drops through razor grass, this hike is not for the faint of heart!
![mount quaqua mount quaqua](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d2/46/ba/d246ba4fefab972933d413004901e526.jpg)
To tell you the truth I wasn’t very aware of what I had gotten myself into with this hike lol. From the bottom of the ocean I thought it only right to balance that out with a hike to one of the highest points in Grenada, Mt. The weekend after our PADI diving certificate, I had the urge to go hiking up into the mountains in the Grand Etang forest reserve.