nelson's lookout

No guide is required - you can find a very easy to understand route map at https://hikingnevis.wordpress.com. This guides you from the main road, to the base of Saddle Hill where you can park and then up the dirt track to Nelson's Lookout. Be warned the terrain is slightly tricky and you definitely do need stout boots so not to slip on loose gravel/rocks on a trail which is steep in one or two places. The view at both the lookout and the wireless aerial site is worth the effort. Do take water and go later in the afternoon. You need about an hour and a half to complete the hike.

My husband and I walked here (with a helpful map from our inn) and thoroughly enjoyed exploring this area. Trail head up the hill is marked by a blue sign, but then the rest is unmarked. Having a guide or a map would be helpful. Be sure to find the abandoned bungalow, and take a short side trail (overgrown with bushes) to a stone look-out platform. Finding the trail-head to Nelson's Lookout is not too difficult but can be missed if you are not looking for it (it is near the hairpin bend of the trail near the top). Very nice!

Definitely for thoe wanting to be off the besten track. Quite a challenge to find the trail but when you do you have it to yourself.

You can do this hike on your own, not needing a local guide, but a local guide can help you learn some of the local history associated with the lookout. However, if you have a good guide book, then you can learn just as much. A great hike, but not overly exerting. My caveat, with all of my recommended activities in the hotter climates, is that you have plenty of water. Enjoy!

The caption indicates that a guide is necessary, but not so - if you are adventurous you can find your way up the wall yourself. We climbed saddle hill - parked our vehicle at the base, hiked from there. Can't get lost, an easy walk up a dirt road all the way to the summit. Bring water and appropriate hiking shoes/attire, it's hot. Once you reach the ramparts of Lord Nelson, follow the wall until it tapers to the end. If you don't mind negotiating through the scrub, you will notice there is a trail that leads behind and to the top of these walls. You can do your own exploration from there. The views are fantastic and if you look closely you will find your own "lookout" windows. We found a firepit amongst the scrub with some skeletal remains of possibly a mountain goat, and followed the trails along the wall, and then doubled back to the main road. Before you reach Nelson's lookout, if you pay attention you will find Phillipa Prentiss's gravemarker. This was her favorite lookout on the island (and what a view it is), and as such requested to be buried here. If you aren't paying attention, it can easily be missed. Nelson's lookout is just beyond that. You'll see the occasional wild donkey, and you will soon realize that the forest around you is "coming alive." You slow your pace, trying to figure out what it is, only to realize it's the sound of the crabs scurrying for cover once they detect your approach. You'll see succulents - is it the Agave plant? - almost as large as you are. WOW. Watch out for all the thorny bushes though. Long two inch thorns. From there we continued up to the summit where we were rewarded with a welcoming breeze, a 360 degree panoramic views, surrounding ocean and fantastic views of the towns below. I believe, if I remember correctly, Saddle hill is almost half the elevation of Mount Nevis - sounds intimidating but don't let that deter you. It's actually a pretty easy hike with rewarding panoramic views. I'd recommend researching the history of Lord Nelson's ramparts and Philippa Prentiss before doing so as it makes it all the more interesting.