Mount Alvernia Guide: Exploring Cat Island’s Historic Como Hill
INTRODUCTION
Mount Alvernia rises only 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level, but that modest elevation gives it national geographic significance: it is the highest point anywhere in The Bahamas. Located near New Bight on Cat Island, the hill is also known locally as Como Hill, an older name that remains important to its identity.
The name Mount Alvernia came from Monsignor John Hawes, the Roman Catholic priest better known on Cat Island as Father Jerome. Hawes renamed the hill in reference to La Verna in Tuscany, a place associated with St. Francis of Assisi. In 1939, he built a small medieval-style stone monastery called The Hermitage at the summit.
Today, travelers visit Mount Alvernia for several overlapping reasons: to reach the highest point in The Bahamas, climb the rocky hill, see Father Jerome's hand-carved Stations of the Cross, explore The Hermitage and take in the elevated views over Cat Island.
This guide focuses specifically on Mount Alvernia/Como Hill and its summit experience. For beaches, accommodations, transportation and complete island planning, readers should continue to the Ultimate Cat Island Travel Guide.
COMO HILL OR MOUNT ALVERNIA: WHAT IS THE CORRECT NAME?
Both names are relevant, but they represent different layers of the hill's history.
Como Hill is the traditional/local name associated with the elevation. Official Bahamas tourism information continues to acknowledge it, describing Mount Alvernia as “also known locally as Como Hill.”
Mount Alvernia is the name given to the hill by Monsignor John Hawes, or Father Jerome.
He chose the name in reference to La Verna in Tuscany, the mountain retreat associated with St. Francis of Assisi. According to The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, La Verna was given to St. Francis as a place for peaceful contemplation and is traditionally associated with his receiving the stigmata.
For modern destination content, the strongest entity structure is therefore:
Mount Alvernia (formerly/locally known as Como Hill)
rather than presenting Como Hill and Mount Alvernia as two separate attractions.
This distinction is useful for travelers because older maps, local references and online searches may use either name.
WHY MOUNT ALVERNIA IS IMPORTANT
Mount Alvernia's primary geographic distinction is straightforward:
At 206 feet (63 meters), it is the highest point in The Bahamas.
The elevation sounds low compared with mountainous destinations elsewhere in the Caribbean, but The Bahamas is an exceptionally low-lying archipelago.
That makes Mount Alvernia unusual within the country's physical geography.
Its importance also extends beyond elevation.
The hill combines four distinct visitor interests:
The summit's most significant structure, The Hermitage, transformed what might otherwise have been simply a geographic high point into one of Cat Island's most recognizable landmarks.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN COMO HILL AND FATHER JEROME
The history of modern Mount Alvernia is closely connected to Monsignor John Hawes.
Known to Cat Islanders as Father Jerome, Hawes was a Roman Catholic priest as well as a skilled architect and sculptor. Official tourism information describes him as a self-described contemplative and admirer of St. Francis of Assisi.
After working as a missionary in The Bahamas and elsewhere, Father Jerome sought a quiet location for contemplation.
Como Hill provided the combination he wanted: elevation, open space, sea breezes and relative isolation.
The hill consequently became more than the place where he constructed a building.
Its landscape became part of his spiritual retreat.
That relationship explains both the renaming of Como Hill as Mount Alvernia and the construction of The Hermitage at its summit.
THE HERMITAGE AT THE SUMMIT
In 1939, Father Jerome constructed The Hermitage using local stone.
Official Bahamas tourism information characterizes the structure as a small medieval-style monastery built as a place where he could withdraw from the world.
The building is deliberately modest.
Its stone walls, compact rooms, arches, tower and religious elements fit closely into the rocky summit rather than dominating it.
That relationship between architecture and terrain is central to understanding the site.
Visitors should therefore resist treating The Hermitage simply as a scenic backdrop. Its location was chosen specifically for isolation and contemplation.
Father Jerome died in 1956 and is said to be buried somewhere on The Hermitage property.
For deeper coverage of Father Jerome's religious legacy, this section should internally link to Cat Island's Spiritual Side rather than duplicating that supporting article.
CLIMBING MOUNT ALVERNIA
Mount Alvernia is often described as a light hike, but the final approach involves a steep rocky incline and stone staircase.
The short distance can make visitors underestimate the terrain.
This is not a long wilderness hike requiring specialized trekking equipment, but secure footwear is preferable to loose sandals or footwear with poor grip.
The climb is also part of the site's historical experience.
Along the route are detailed stone reliefs depicting the Stations of the Cross, hand-carved by Father Jerome.
Rather than rushing directly to the summit, visitors can pause along the ascent to examine these carvings.
The route therefore functions simultaneously as:
trail → religious pathway → historic feature → approach to The Hermitage
That combination distinguishes Mount Alvernia from a conventional scenic viewpoint.
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Stations of the Cross reinforce the spiritual meaning Father Jerome gave to Mount Alvernia.
These hand-carved stone reliefs appear along the route leading toward The Hermitage.
For Christian visitors, the Stations represent stages associated with Christ's journey toward the Crucifixion.
For visitors interested primarily in history or architecture, they provide another example of Father Jerome's abilities as a sculptor and builder.
Their placement is also important.
The religious sequence is encountered during the physical ascent, linking movement through the landscape with the spiritual character of the summit.
This is one reason visitors should allow enough time for the climb rather than approaching Mount Alvernia solely as a quick viewpoint.
WHAT YOU CAN SEE FROM THE TOP
Mount Alvernia's elevation creates a noticeably different perspective on Cat Island.
Official Bahamas tourism information describes a 360-degree view around the island from the summit.
Visitors can appreciate the surrounding green landscape, coastline and broader geography that are difficult to understand from road level.
The view also helps explain Cat Island itself.
Unlike a dense urban destination, much of the visible landscape remains low-rise and vegetation-covered. Settlements, roads, coast and inland terrain appear within a broader natural setting.
For photographers, the combination of stone architecture, elevated landscape and surrounding sea creates some of Cat Island's most recognizable compositions.
The summit, however, remains a historic religious site and should be treated accordingly.
WHERE IS MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Mount Alvernia is located near New Bight in central Cat Island.
Official Bahamas tourism information lists The Hermitage at Como Hill, New Bight.
Its central position makes it relatively convenient to combine with other New Bight-area experiences without attempting a full-island itinerary on the same day.
New Bight Airport is also located near Mount Alvernia. The airport currently has Customs and Immigration facilities for international travelers.
For visitors exploring Cat Island by rental vehicle, Mount Alvernia can therefore serve as an important geographic anchor for understanding central Cat Island.
HOW TO GET TO MOUNT ALVERNIA
Most independent visitors reach the Mount Alvernia area by road and then continue on foot for the summit portion.
Because Cat Island's attractions and settlements are widely dispersed, a rental vehicle is generally useful for travelers planning to explore beyond their accommodation.
The most important practical distinction is between reaching the base area and completing the summit climb.
Visitors should expect to walk the final portion.
Wear footwear suitable for uneven stone and rock, bring drinking water and avoid assuming the short elevation means the terrain will be effortless.
For complete airport, rental-car and island transportation information, internally link this section to the Cat Island Transportation Guide.
BEST TIME OF DAY TO VISIT
Early morning is particularly practical for visitors who want cooler conditions during the climb.
Late afternoon can also offer lower temperatures and attractive light, although travelers should leave sufficient daylight for the descent.
The exposed summit can feel significantly warmer under strong midday sun.
Weather matters as well.
Rain can make rocky and stone surfaces more slippery, while clear conditions provide better visibility from the summit.
For photography, morning and later-afternoon light generally produces more dimensional views of the stone architecture than harsh midday light.
However, visitors should prioritize safe conditions over photography.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE MOUNT ALVERNIA HIKE?
The climb is short rather than technically difficult, and official tourism material describes visiting The Hermitage as a light hike.
That does not mean every traveler will find it effortless.
The approach includes:
Travelers with mobility limitations should evaluate the terrain before attempting the full climb.
Families with older children accustomed to walking outdoors may find the excursion manageable, but younger children should be supervised closely around uneven stonework and elevated areas.
There is no advantage in rushing.
Mount Alvernia is best experienced at a deliberate pace.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU ALLOW?
Travelers should avoid allocating only enough time to reach the summit, take a photograph and immediately descend.
Allow time for:
-
the ascent
-
Stations of the Cross
-
exterior architecture
-
The Hermitage
-
summit views
-
photography
-
quiet observation
-
safe descent
For many visitors, approximately one to two hours is a reasonable planning window, depending on pace and how much time is spent at the summit.
This is a planning estimate rather than an official fixed duration.
The attraction works particularly well as a focused half-day stop when combined with another nearby central Cat Island experience.
VISITING MOUNT ALVERNIA RESPECTFULLY
The Hermitage is both a historical structure and a place created for religious contemplation.
Visitors should behave accordingly.
Avoid climbing onto walls, removing stones, carving surfaces or disturbing religious features.
Keep noise reasonable and give other visitors space.
The Stations of the Cross should likewise be treated as religious artwork rather than trail furniture or climbing structures.
Responsible visitation matters particularly at historic sites where age, weather and repeated human contact can gradually damage original material.
The goal is straightforward:
observe, photograph and experience the site without altering it.
COMO HILL, MOUNT ALVERNIA AND THE HERMITAGE: UNDERSTANDING THE ENTITIES
For search engines and travelers alike, these three terms should be distinguished clearly.
Como Hill — the traditional/local name associated with the hill.
Mount Alvernia — the name given to the hill by Father Jerome and the name commonly used for the geographic landmark today.
The Hermitage — Father Jerome's stone monastery located on the summit.
They are related but not interchangeable entities.
The correct geographic relationship is:
Cat Island → New Bight → Como Hill/Mount Alvernia → The Hermitage
This structure is particularly useful for Discover Bahamas because it strengthens the relationship between the destination, settlement, natural landmark and historic attraction without creating competing pages around essentially the same location.
FAQS ABOUT COMO HILL AND MOUNT ALVERNIA
IS COMO HILL THE SAME AS MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Yes. Official Bahamas tourism sources describe Mount Alvernia as also being known locally as Como Hill. Father Jerome gave the hill the Mount Alvernia name.
WHAT IS COMO HILL CALLED NOW?
Mount Alvernia is the formal name commonly used today, although Como Hill remains an important local and historical name for the same geographic feature.
WHERE IS MOUNT ALVERNIA IN THE BAHAMAS?
Mount Alvernia is located near New Bight on Cat Island in The Bahamas. The Hermitage stands on its summit.
IS MOUNT ALVERNIA THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE BAHAMAS?
Yes. At 206 feet (63 meters) above sea level, Mount Alvernia is the highest point in The Bahamas.
CAN YOU HIKE TO THE TOP OF MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Yes. Visitors ascend a rocky incline and stone staircase to reach The Hermitage. Father Jerome's hand-carved Stations of the Cross appear along the route.
WHAT IS AT THE TOP OF MOUNT ALVERNIA?
The summit contains The Hermitage, a small medieval-style stone monastery constructed by Father Jerome in 1939.
WHY WAS COMO HILL RENAMED MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Father Jerome named it Mount Alvernia in reference to La Verna in Tuscany, a mountain associated with St. Francis of Assisi and contemplative religious tradition.
HOW HIGH IS MOUNT ALVERNIA?
Mount Alvernia reaches 206 feet, or approximately 63 meters, above sea level.
EXPLORE MORE CAT ISLAND GUIDES
LOCAL & DESTINATION CONTEXT
Mount Alvernia occupies an important position within New Bight and central Cat Island, connecting the island's physical geography with its religious and architectural history. The older Como Hill name preserves local geographic identity, while Mount Alvernia connects the site with Father Jerome, St. Francis of Assisi and The Hermitage. Nearby New Bight Airport provides another strong geographic relationship, while Father Jerome's broader architectural work links Cat Island with Long Island and New Providence. Together, these entities position Mount Alvernia not simply as Cat Island's highest hill, but as a landmark connecting landscape, settlement, history and faith within The Bahamas.
CONCLUSION
Como Hill's transformation into Mount Alvernia created one of the strongest combinations of natural and cultural heritage on Cat Island.
At 206 feet, the hill holds the straightforward distinction of being the highest point in The Bahamas. Yet elevation alone does not explain its importance.
Father Jerome's decision to rename the hill, construct The Hermitage at its summit and carve the Stations of the Cross along the ascent turned the landscape into a place where geography, architecture and spiritual history overlap.
Today, visitors can climb the same rocky hillside, examine his stonework and look across Cat Island from the country's highest natural point.
For accommodations, beaches, transportation and complete destination planning, explore the Ultimate Cat Island Travel Guide.
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Updated as of August 2026.