# Saint Helena, Jamestown for Adventurers: Scaling Jacob’s Ladder – 699 Steps That Make Everest Look Easy

Saint Helena, Jamestown for Adventurers: Scaling Jacob’s Ladder – 699 Steps That Make Everest Look Easy (2026)

Your thighs burn before you’ve climbed fifty of them. The wind whips salt spray from the South Atlantic up the rock face, and far below, the pastel-colored houses of Jamestown shrink to Monopoly pieces. You’re halfway up Jacob’s Ladder—699 iron steps bolted into a 900-foot cliff, the steepest staircase on Earth—and your heart pounds like a jackhammer. At the top, the whole island unfurls like a topographical map, and you realize: Saint Helena doesn’t just look adventurous. It demands it.

The Main Event: Conquering Jacob’s Ladder at Dawn

This isn’t a sightseeing stop—it’s a rite of passage. Jacob’s Ladder was built in 1829 to haul goods up from Jamestown to the fort above, but today it’s the ultimate pulse-checker for every traveler who lands on this remote volcanic island. You’ll start at the base near the tourist office on Main Street, where the ladder rises at an absurd 41.5-degree angle. Seasoned visitors know to arrive before 7:00 a.m., when the sun hasn’t yet turned the iron steps into a griddle and the trade winds keep you cool. Plan for 25 to 35 minutes of steady climbing, stopping to let your vision stop swimming. The cost is £0—free, punishing, and utterly unforgettable.

You’ll need sturdy trainers, a water bottle (there’s no shade, zero, none), and the mental grit to ignore the fact that you can see the top long before you reach it. The official count: 699 steps, though locals will tell you it’s 700 because the first one is just for show. Your reward is a panorama that stretches from the lush green interior to the endless blue of the South Atlantic. Don’t descend too fast—the steep angle wreaks havoc on your knees. Keep a hand on the rail, take it step by step, and give yourself ten minutes to come back down. Most tourists overlook the early-morning climb, so you’ll likely have the ladder to yourself. That’s the secret.

Activity #1: Hiking Diana’s Peak – The Roof of the Island

At 823 metres, Diana’s Peak is the highest point on Saint Helena, and the trail to the summit is the island’s most rewarding full-day adventure. You’ll start at the car park near the Thompson’s Wood gate, where a signpost marks the start of the Cabbage Tree Trail. The route climbs steadily through ancient cloud forest, where dwarf cabbage trees—endemic to this island alone—stand like gnarled sentinels. Plan for 4 to 5 hours round trip, and bring a waterproof jacket because the summit is often shrouded in mist by mid-morning. The trail is well marked but muddy after rain, which is most days. Wear boots with decent tread.

Your best bet is to start by 7:30 a.m. to beat the clouds. At the top, on a clear day, you can see the entire island: the volcanic ridges scalloping down to the sea, the tiny white specks of Jamestown’s rooftops, and the vast emptiness of the South Atlantic in every direction. Locals recommend packing a picnic to eat at the summit bench. The trail costs nothing to walk, but you’ll want to tip the guide if you book one through the island’s official tourism office. The endemic wirebird—the island’s national bird—sometimes appears along the upper slopes. Don’t approach; they’re critically endangered and among the rarest birds on Earth.

Activity #2: Diving the SS Hydra – A Wreck for the Brave

The SS Hydra was a British cargo steamer that sank in 1875 off the coast of Jamestown, and today she sits upright in 18 to 25 metres of water, encrusted in soft corals and teeming with batfish, moray eels, and the occasional turtle. You’ll need to be a certified advanced diver to explore her hold—the current can rip through the wreck channels at up to two knots on a spring tide. Book through Saint Helena Dive Club, the island’s only dive operator, at their office on Main Street. Cost is £75 for a single wreck dive, including tank, weights, and a guide. Dives run at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and you’ll need to be at the Jamestown pontoon 20 minutes early.

The courthouse in Jamestown Saint Helena, Saint Helena, Jamestown

Visibility is typically 15–20 metres, but it can drop to five after heavy swell. The secret is to dive on the early morning slot, before the wind picks up. You’ll descend along the mooring line direct to the bow, where the ship’s name is still legible on the rusty steel. Inside, the engine room is open to trained divers but requires a torch and good buoyancy control—one wrong fin kick and you’ll stir up a silt cloud that ends the dive. Travelers often discover that the marine life here is as good as the Red Sea, but without the crowds. After the dive, you can download your log at the clubhouse over a cold beer from the fridge. Bring your own mask and computer if you have them; rental kit is basic but functional.

Refuel: Where Adventurers Eat

After a day on the trails or underwater, your body needs fuel, and Jamestown delivers. Start at Ann’s Place on Main Street, a no-frills café that locals swear by for a post-climb recovery breakfast. Order the “Full Saint”—eggs, local bacon, fried tomato, and the island’s famously dense bread—for £8. It’s available until 11:00 a.m., and you’ll want to be there by 9:00 a.m. to grab a table on the tiny front porch. Next, head to The Consulate Hotel Bar & Restaurant on Napoleon Street for dinner. Their ahi tuna steak, caught that morning and seared rare, comes with roasted local vegetables and a side of lemon-herb rice for £14.50. It’s the best-value high-protein meal on the island.

For a quick lunch between activities, The Tea Room inside the Museum of Saint Helena serves a mean fisherman’s pie with a side salad for £9. It’s a favourite among guides who need a fast, filling meal that won’t weigh you down. Finally, don’t leave without a drink at The Standard, a backstreet pub where divers and hikers swap stories over bottles of local ale. A pint of Saint Helena Pale Ale costs £4, and the bar stays open until the last customer leaves—usually around midnight. Locals recommend the fish and chips here on Fridays, when a portion costs just £7 and comes with mushy peas and tartar sauce.

Base Camp: Where to Stay

Adventurers need a base that understands early starts and gear storage. Mantlemast is a guesthouse on Napoleon Street, a four-minute walk from Jacob’s Ladder and the dive pontoon. Rooms start at £65 per night for a single with shared bathroom, or £85 for an en-suite double. They’ll pack a breakfast bag if you’re leaving before 6:30 a.m.—just ask the host, Valerie, the night before. There’s a secure lock-up for bikes and dive gear in the back courtyard. Book early; there are only six rooms.

Elevated view of a lit coastal town at twilight., Saint Helena, Jamestown

For more independence, Wellington House is a self-catering apartment above a bakery on Main Street. You’ll pay £75 per night for a studio that sleeps two, with a kitchenette and a washing machine—a godsend after a muddy hike. The owner, Mike, is a former mountain guide and can point you to trails that aren’t on any map. The flat has a small balcony where you can air-dry wet gear. Both properties are bookable through Booking.com, though spaces fill two to three months in advance during peak season (November to February).

Gear & Prep Checklist

Hiking boots with ankle support — trails are volcanic rock and mud; trainers will leave you slipping and miserable
Quick-dry long-sleeve shirt — the sun here is fierce even on overcast days, and the windburn on Jacob’s Ladder is real
Waterproof shell jacket — the cloud forest at Diana’s Peak is damp year-round, and sudden squalls hit Jamestown without warning
Snorkel and mask — you can rent them, but bringing your own ensures a proper fit for whale shark spotting
Head torch with spare batteries — if you stay late on the trails or dive a wreck, you’ll want a reliable second light
Fitness requirement: You should be able to climb 200 stair steps without stopping before attempting Jacob’s Ladder, and hold a two-hour steady state hike for Diana’s Peak
Safety consideration: The Golden Mile beach has strong rips; never swim alone here. All dive sites require a buddy and a surface marker buoy—local operators won’t take you without one

Getting There & Around

Flights: Saint Helena Airport (HLE) receives weekly flights from Johannesburg via Airlink, departing Fridays and Mondays. A return ticket costs around £650–800. Book at Skyscanner
Local Transport: From the airport to Jamestown (22 km), you’ll catch a shared minibus taxi for £5 per person; they meet every flight. To reach trailheads like Diana’s Peak, you’ll need to hire a private taxi for around £25–35 for a half-day. Car hire is available from Saint Helena Car Hire on Main Street from £30 per day, but book a week ahead
Best Season: November to February offers the calmest seas for diving and the driest trails for hiking. June to August brings the best whale shark activity, but expect more rain. March to May and September to October are shoulder months with fewer visitors and moderate conditions

Facade of white famous historic catholic church with clock and tower locate…, Saint Helena, Jamestown

Is Saint Helena, Jamestown Worth It?

Honestly? Yes—if you’re an adventurer who values solitude over convenience. Saint Helena isn’t the easiest destination to reach, and it’s not the cheapest once you’re there. But travelers who make the journey discover a raw, untamed island that feels like a secret that only a few thousand people get to share each year. The hiking rivals the Azores, the diving competes with the Maldives for marine life variety (if not visibility), and the sense of remoteness is unmatched anywhere in the Atlantic. If you need cocktail bars and five-star resorts, skip it. If you want to climb a 699-step ladder at dawn, dive a Victorian wreck, and eat fresh tuna while watching whales breach in the bay, you’ll never forget Saint Helena. The island demands effort, but it rewards every drop of sweat with a story you’ll be telling for the rest of your life.