Do you love hiking? How would you like to get your feet wet in the crystal clear waters of a river high up in the hills of Hanover? Are you up for being on the receiving end of lots of love from a group of energetic dogs who will race to the river, wait patiently for you to get there, have a frolic then graciously lead you back up the trail to their haven?

If you said yes to even one of those questions, you have got to go Hiking with the Hooligans. It’s the latest attraction in the western end of Jamaica, a fun way to do something good for and with animals.

The hike is offered by Montego Bay Animal Haven at its sprawling location in New Milns, dubbed The Farm. The run to the river is a way for dogs being cared for at the facility to let off pent-up energy and also a way for the non-profit organisation to earn much-needed income to help defray some of its expenses. The Haven’s Managing Director Jackie Sangster is hoping that visitors to Jamaica, as well as locals — including students on school trips — will spend a few hours at The Farm with friendly dogs she and her team fondly call hooligans.

“[It] would be a great opportunity where they could hike, get out into nature,” she tells LetsTravelCaribbean.com during a recent visit to The Farm.

Animal Haven is working with local hotels that it hopes will add Hiking with the Hooligans to the list of activities available to guests.

“It is a feat to get up here. So we want to partner with somebody that can help with the transportation from the various hotels. So that’s all in the works. And we’re finalising that,” an optimistic Sangster says.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Ideal for: Lovers of animals, nature and hiking.

Not for: Younger children, pregnant women, anyone with underlying health concerns.

Dress code: Clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and wet. Hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers, long pants, a cap or sun visor. A change of clothes in case you get really wet at the river. Be sure to take drinking water so you can stay hydrated, bug spray and sunscreen if you burn easily.

To book a hike via Instagram: montegobayanimalhaven

Read full story online at LetsTravelCaribbean.com and watch the video on Jamaica Observer’s YouTube channel.