CC BY 3.0, Shane.torgerson, Wikimedia CommonsHike· Cat Island· Bahamas — Eleuthera, Andros & the Out Islands
The Hermitage (Mount Alvernia)
24° 17.7′ N · 75° 24.5′ W
Father Jerome's miniature stone monastery crowns Mount Alvernia, at 63 m (207 ft) the highest point in the Bahamas, with stations of the cross cut into the climb and views over both coasts.
Practical
From the New Bight beach by the BaTelCo tower or government dock it is about a mile up the road, then a steep path with Stations of the Cross carved along the rock steps. Watch your head: the doorways are low, built at about half scale. You can come down the back trail east to the road, an easier descent than the steps. Free and always open; bring water and go early or late to avoid the midday heat. Built from 1939 by Monsignor John Hawes (Father Jerome), an architect-turned-priest. The ruins of the Armbrister plantation are just to the south.
Best for
The must-do walk on Cat Island
Nearby
- Armbrister Plantation ruinsRight here
- Father Jerome's CaveRight here
- New Bight Service Station (fuel, propane, car rental)0.5 NM away
- Cat Island Regatta0.6 NM away
- New Bight fish fry0.6 NM away
- Gilly's Laundry (Freetown, New Bight)0.9 NM away
- New Bight groceries and bakery1.1 NM away
- The Bight Community Clinic (New Bight)1.1 NM away