Christoffel Mountain Sunrise Hike

Reaching the top of Mount Christoffel at 372 metres is the classic land adventure on Curaçao. The peak sits inside Christoffel National Park in the rugged northwest, and the reward for an early start is a 360-degree view across the whole island, with the rough windward coast on one side and the calm leeward coast on the other. On a clear morning you can pick out the distant outline of Venezuela.

This is a real climb, not a stroll. The trail rises steadily and the final section is a steep scramble over rock that needs your hands. Doing it at dawn means you beat the fierce midday sun and stand on the summit as the light comes up. Rangers set the rules: you must begin the climb early in the day, before a set cut-off time, so the park's opening hours dictate when you start.

How to do it well

• Enter the park at opening and start the hike well before the daily cut-off.
• Carry plenty of water; there is no shade or shop on the trail.
• Wear proper closed shoes with grip for the rocky scramble at the top.
• Watch for the park's wildlife, including rare native deer and orchids.

The park lies near Westpunt, so you can combine the climb with a turtle snorkel or a leeward beach afterwards. Allow a couple of hours up and down, and never climb in the heat of the afternoon.