Most Booked$80 USD ppAbout 3 hours
All tours
Hiking Trail
The Cot
A moderate forest walk from Runaway Ghaut through the farmlands to a Victorian summer-house ruin, with a view of the buried city and a botanical garden finish.
4.9 on TripAdvisorKing's Honour Award (MBE) · 40+ years guiding
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Duration
About 3 hours
Difficulty
Moderate · Forest and farmland walking
Group size
1 to 30 people
Route
From Runaway Ghaut, through the farmlands, to The Cot, ending at the National Trust
The Experience
Through the farmlands to a piece of history
The Cot Trail is a moderate three-hour walk that begins at the famous Runaway Ghaut and cuts through some of the island's farmlands, where there is a good chance of spotting our national bird, the Montserrat Oriole. It is a gentle, story-filled hike with one of the best history stops on the island at its heart.
That stop is The Cot, the ruins of a fine summer house built in 1873 for the Sturge family, the English family whose company ran Montserrat's lime industry, before it was destroyed in the great hurricane of 1899. From here you get a very good view of the exclusion zone and the buried city of Plymouth in the distance. The trail finishes at the Montserrat National Trust, where you can wander the botanical gardens and browse the gift shop.
5 on TripAdvisor
“He's famous for calling down the birds. Scriber explained what we could see and found things we couldn't. We ended on a local lady's balcony inside the forest, watching hummingbirds dart around. Magical.”— Fairlocks
What makes it special
Moments you'll remember
A historic summer house
The ruins of The Cot, built in 1873 for the Sturge family and lost to the great hurricane of 1899.
A view of the buried city
Look out over the exclusion zone and buried Plymouth in the distance.
The Montserrat Oriole
A good chance of spotting our national bird as you cross the farmlands.
A botanical garden finish
End at the National Trust, with its botanical gardens and gift shop to explore.
Itinerary
What you'll see, in order
Stop 1
Meet and set off
Meet Scriber at Runaway Ghaut. Transport can be arranged for an additional fee — just request a return pickup in your booking notes or message us on WhatsApp. Or you can drive yourself. Take a drink of the spring water if you like — legend says it brings you back to Montserrat.
Stop 2
Through the farmlands
Walk through some of the island's farmlands, watching for the Montserrat Oriole along the way.
Stop 3
The Cot ruins
Reach the ruins of the 1873 Sturge family summer house, and read the historic board that tells its story.
Stop 4
The buried city view
Take in the very good view over the exclusion zone and buried Plymouth in the distance.
Stop 5
The National Trust finish
End at the Montserrat National Trust, with its botanical gardens and gift shop.
The fine print
What's in the price
Included
- Private guided hike with James 'Scriber' Daley, MBE
- The full guided walk from Runaway Ghaut to the National Trust
- The history of The Cot and the Sturge family, plus the plants and birds along the way
On you
- Transport — add at booking for up to 4 guests. Larger parties, contact us for a quote.
- Any National Trust entry or donation, and anything you buy at the gift shop
- Refreshments
- Gratuities (appreciated)
Before you go
Come prepared
Wear
Closed shoes with grip, and light, comfortable clothing.
Bring
Water, insect repellent, a hat, and a camera. We encourage guests to bring their own hiking sticks.
Children
A good moderate walk for families, with plenty of history and birds to keep it interesting.
Weather
The path can be muddy after rain, so closed shoes with grip help. Good most of the year.
Book your spot
Ready when you are
A moderate three-hour walk from Runaway Ghaut through the farmlands to the 1873 Sturge family ruins, ending at the National Trust botanical gardens. Good year-round; muddy after rain. Transport can be purchased when you book (up to 4 persons) — contact us for larger groups or any questions.
Secure your spot online — free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Booking 5 or more? Message us for group pricing.
FAQ
Answers at a glance
Continue the journey
More ways to discover the island
3 hrs · Moderate · History & gardens