Mount Alvernia is the highest natural point in The Bahamas, rising 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level on Cat Island. Located near New Bight in the central part of the island, the hill is also known locally as Como Hill and combines geographic significance with the religious and architectural legacy of Father Jerome Hawes.
The summit is crowned by The Hermitage, a small medieval-style stone monastery constructed in 1939 by Monsignor John Hawes, better known to Cat Islanders as Father Jerome. Hawes was a Roman Catholic priest, architect, sculptor and admirer of St. Francis of Assisi. He renamed Como Hill Mount Alvernia after La Verna in Tuscany, the Franciscan site traditionally associated with St. Francis.
Reaching the summit is part of the experience. The official Bahamas tourism authority describes the approach as a stone staircase ascending a steep, rocky incline. Along the route, visitors encounter Father Jerome's hand-carved stone reliefs depicting the Stations of the Cross before arriving at The Hermitage.
Despite Mount Alvernia's modest elevation compared with mountain destinations elsewhere in the Caribbean, its 206-foot summit is nationally significant because The Bahamas is an exceptionally low-lying archipelago. From the top, visitors have a 360-degree perspective across Cat Island's vegetation, settlements and surrounding coastal landscape.
Mount Alvernia is therefore more than a geographic high point. For travelers searching for things to do on Cat Island, hiking in The Bahamas, historic attractions near New Bight or Father Jerome's architectural legacy, it combines a short hike with Bahamian history, religious heritage, stone architecture and elevated island views.
KEY FACTS
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Destination Name: Mount Alvernia
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Alternative Name: Como Hill
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Category: Nature, History & Cultural Heritage
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Destination Type: Geographic Landmark / Historic Site / Hiking Attraction / Religious Heritage Destination
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Location: New Bight area, Cat Island, The Bahamas
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Island Group: Bahamian Out Islands
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Elevation: 206 feet / 63 meters
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Known For: Highest natural point in The Bahamas, The Hermitage, Father Jerome and Stations of the Cross
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Best For: Hikers, photographers, history enthusiasts, cultural travelers, architecture enthusiasts and first-time Cat Island visitors
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Nearby Attractions: The Hermitage, New Bight, New Bight Fish Fry, New Bight Beach and central Cat Island
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Transportation Access: Road transportation to the New Bight/Como Hill area followed by a climb on foot
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Ferry Access: No direct ferry access
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Airport Access: New Bight Airport (TBI) is near Mount Alvernia and has Customs and Immigration services.
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Ideal Length of Visit: Approximately 1–2 hours
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Best Time to Visit: Year-round; cooler morning or later-afternoon conditions are preferable for the exposed climb
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Family Friendly: Suitable for families whose children can safely manage steep, uneven terrain
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
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Highest natural point in The Bahamas at 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level.
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Located near New Bight in central Cat Island and historically known as Como Hill.
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Summit crowned by The Hermitage, one of Cat Island's principal historic and architectural landmarks.
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The Hermitage was constructed in 1939 by Monsignor John Hawes, known locally as Father Jerome.
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Father Jerome used local stone to construct his small medieval-style monastery at the summit.
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Hand-carved stone Stations of the Cross line portions of the ascent toward The Hermitage.
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Steep rocky terrain and a stone staircase make the approach a short but physically active sightseeing experience.
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Summit provides a 360-degree perspective across Cat Island's low-lying landscape.
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Mount Alvernia's name references La Verna in Tuscany, a site closely associated with St. Francis of Assisi.
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Combines hiking, geography, religious history, architecture and photography within one central Cat Island attraction.
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New Bight Airport is nearby, making Mount Alvernia relatively accessible to travelers based in central Cat Island.
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The attraction can be combined with New Bight Fish Fry, nearby beaches and other central Cat Island stops.
HIGHEST POINT IN THE BAHAMAS
Mount Alvernia's defining distinction is its status as the highest natural point in The Bahamas. The summit reaches only 206 feet, but that elevation is significant within an archipelago dominated by low limestone islands and cays.
The Bahamas Department of Statistics likewise identifies Mount Alvernia in New Bight as the country's highest elevation at 206 feet above sea level.
For travelers interested in geographic landmarks, climbing Mount Alvernia provides an opportunity to stand at the national high point while simultaneously visiting one of Cat Island's most important historic sites.
THE HERMITAGE & FATHER JEROME
The relationship between Mount Alvernia and The Hermitage gives the hill much of its cultural importance.
Monsignor John Hawes—Father Jerome—selected the summit as a location for contemplation. An architect and sculptor as well as a Roman Catholic priest, he constructed The Hermitage from local stone in 1939 as a small monastery where he could withdraw from the outside world.
Father Jerome also gave the hill its present name. Mount Alvernia references La Verna in Tuscany, traditionally associated with St. Francis of Assisi, whom Hawes admired.
The monastery's position directly on the country's highest point creates an unusually strong connection between Cat Island's natural geography and its religious and architectural heritage.
HIKING MOUNT ALVERNIA
The Mount Alvernia experience is better described as a short, steep climb than a long wilderness hike. The official tourism authority describes the route to The Hermitage as following a stone staircase over a steep rocky incline.
The ascent incorporates Father Jerome's hand-carved Stations of the Cross, giving visitors historical and religious points of interest before reaching the summit.
The uneven rock and steps make appropriate footwear useful, particularly after rainfall. Because portions of the climb are exposed, visitors should also consider heat and direct sun when choosing when to visit.
VISITOR INFORMATION
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Best Time to Visit: Year-round; morning and later afternoon generally provide more comfortable conditions for climbing
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Suggested Visit Duration: Approximately 1–2 hours
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Accessibility: Limited for visitors with mobility restrictions because of steep rock, uneven terrain and stone steps
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Transportation Options: Rental car, taxi or arranged transportation to the New Bight area, followed by walking
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Ferry Access: No direct ferry access
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Airport Access: New Bight Airport is located near Mount Alvernia.
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Road Conditions: Road access reaches the general attraction area; the final ascent is on foot
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Accommodation Availability: Resorts, villas, cottages and inns are available around New Bight and central Cat Island
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Dining Availability: New Bight has local restaurants and the nearby Fish Fry
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Family Suitability: Appropriate for families comfortable with a steep, uneven climb
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Swimming Suitability: Not applicable; beaches around New Bight provide nearby swimming opportunities
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Snorkeling Suitability: Not applicable at Mount Alvernia
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Diving Opportunities: Available elsewhere around Cat Island
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Boating Opportunities: Available through local resorts, guides and marine operators
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Fishing Opportunities: Bonefishing and offshore fishing are established elsewhere around Cat Island
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Photography Opportunities: The Hermitage, Stations of the Cross, stone architecture and elevated island landscapes
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Infrastructure Level: Basic heritage attraction rather than a developed hiking park or visitor complex
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Weather Considerations: Heat, direct sun and wet or slippery rock can affect the climb
FAQ
IS MOUNT ALVERNIA THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE BAHAMAS?
Yes. Mount Alvernia reaches 206 feet, or 63 meters, above sea level and is officially identified as the highest natural point in The Bahamas. It is located on Cat Island near New Bight.
WHAT IS MOUNT ALVERNIA KNOWN FOR?
Mount Alvernia is known both as the highest point in The Bahamas and as the location of Father Jerome's Hermitage. The hill also features Stations of the Cross along the steep approach to the summit.
WHERE IS MOUNT ALVERNIA ON CAT ISLAND?
Mount Alvernia is in the New Bight area of central Cat Island. New Bight Airport is nearby, making the attraction convenient to combine with other central Cat Island destinations.
CAN YOU HIKE MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Yes. Visitors climb a steep rocky incline and stone staircase to reach The Hermitage at the summit. The route is relatively short but includes uneven terrain.
ARE THE HERMITAGE AND MOUNT ALVERNIA THE SAME PLACE?
They are closely connected but are not technically the same entity. Mount Alvernia is the hill and national high point, while The Hermitage is Father Jerome's stone monastery located at its summit.
WHY IS MOUNT ALVERNIA ALSO CALLED COMO HILL?
Como Hill is the hill's traditional local name. Father Jerome renamed it Mount Alvernia after La Verna in Tuscany, which is associated with St. Francis of Assisi.
HOW HIGH IS MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Mount Alvernia is 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level. Although low compared with mountains elsewhere in the Caribbean, it is the highest natural elevation anywhere in The Bahamas.
TRAVELER EXPECTATION SUMMARY
Travelers typically value Mount Alvernia because a relatively short climb combines several important Cat Island experiences: reaching the highest point in The Bahamas, exploring Father Jerome's stone Hermitage, seeing his Stations of the Cross and gaining an elevated perspective across the island. The experience is more historical and cultural than a conventional mountain hike.
LOCAL AND DESTINATION CONTEXT
Mount Alvernia rises near New Bight in central Cat Island, linking the country's highest natural point with The Hermitage, Father Jerome, New Bight Airport and the island's central travel corridor. Visitors can readily combine the climb with New Bight Fish Fry, local dining and nearby beaches before continuing north or south through Cat Island. Within the wider Bahamian Out Islands, Mount Alvernia is both a nationally significant geographic landmark and one of Cat Island's strongest historical and cultural attractions.
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