Hike Report: Middle Ground Trail

[wassup4565]

Back from 10-day Legend and I wanted to report on this as soon as possible. Based on a breezy suggestion on this board a few weeks ago, we decided to walk the Middle Ground Trail - the hike was described as "pleasant" with sightings of goats, cacti, and old gun emplacements. Accordingly we decided to do this hike, described as an easy hour-long hike, on our recent Legend cruise (Feb 6/15).

 

It's an easy hike for a 25-year-old triathlete, maybe, but not for normal people who are generally fit and who like to walk. We were a group of four fit seniors, wearing decent shoes, used to walking, and well-prepared with water, hats, and good clothes. This hike began with an increasingly arduous climb up a narrow trail (it's not called the goat trail for nothing). When we reached the first gun emplacement we thought we had hit the summit, and would gradually begin going downward - not so much.

 

The trail continued along the spine of the ridge, always climbing. Eventually, we did reach the summit, and discovered that all that upward walking, often on an uneven path with loose slippery gravel, did eventually turn downward. Suddenly, steeply, very steeply. With a 200 foot drop on one side and a steep hillside on the other, we picked our way on a path, sitting our bums on large rocks and sliding gingerly down onto the foot-wide slippery gravel track below - one foot wrong and there was a two-hundred foot drop below. This happened over and over again. Billed as an hour-long hike, it took us an hour and three-quarter,s the last half hour white knuckle time.

 

I do not recommend the Middle Ground Hike from Nelson's for anyone in less than very good condition, with good balance. Ordinary sneakers are not appropriate foot wear, - you need something with good grip on the sole. Bring plenty of water because it's hot and the hike is hard work. If you don't like heights, this is not for you.

 

Now to the good part for those interested. This is a loop trail - it starts and ends near Nelson's Dockyard. We were directed to walk away from Nelson's entrance, told to "take the first left and then bear sharp left again very soon, then go up over the rising." The "rising" is no slouch of a hill, but you are walking on pavement, and it's very safe, if hard work. Half our group turned back before they got to the top of the "rising," and it's a good thing they did. If they couldn't take that, they were not suited for the trail that came later. After the summit of the rising, there is a long down slow on the paved road and at the bottom you come to Pigeon Bay Beach. Now, next time, I would stop right there. Gorgeous, uncrowded, with public facilities, and a beach bar. However, we did not stop.

 

You can easily find the Middle Ground Trail, and if you're prepared (you must bring water), and really fit and well-shod, there are lovely views along the way. The goats and cute little kids are here and there along the way, and the cacti are numerous and very interesting. And one can only admire the hard work of the people who had to haul all the stone up to make those gun emplacements.

 

At the end of the trail, you come into Nelson's Dockyard by the back door, and so don't pay the admission fee. (Well you could pay the fee and start hiking where our hike ended, and do it in reverse, but why?)

 

Hope this report helps. If you need more info, ask questions and I'll answer as best I can.

[CaribbeanVirgin]

Thanks for this information - very useful. Planning on getting the bus as suggested. Will see how we feel on the day whether we do the walk or part of it, but will definitely remember to take plenty of water and a hat!

[Alsmez]

Great info. We are considering this hike for our trip to Antigua next year and will make sure to bring proper hiking shoes (and do some practice runs at home beforehand!).

[mdrobtx]

Excellent post. Thanks so much for the info.

[AAAAmerican]

Thank Youall!