Lady Chancellor Hill, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

Lady Chancellor Hill – original outdoor gym

As the Carnival season fast approaches, scores of people flock to gyms, sporting facilities and pools in an effort to attain that Carnival ready body or to shed the extra pounds added on over the holidays. One favourite is Lady Chancellor Hill located at the northern end of the Queen’s Park Savannah. It offers a unique experience to the street runner.

You get the best of both worlds, the convenience of a running path within the capital Port of Spain as well as the most picturesque views that one can imagine. Mostly shaded during the afternoon it allows you to conquer it at your own pace. If you decide to walk, hike, jog or run you will realise that the road is basically traffic free, with the occasional patrol by the police and officers of Community Comfort Patrol. Some caution should be taken as the road is also used by cyclists. The course is approximately 2 miles long one way.

You feel as if you are one with nature, surrounded by trees and various wildlife. Occasionally, you hear a lion roaring as the Emperor Valley Zoo is just a stone’s throw away.

Being at the top of Lady Chancellor Hill, every once in a while you get a glimpse of Port of Spain, and what a sight it is. During later months of the year the sun sets pretty early so when you reach the end of the road you are rewarded twice, you just burned about one million calories and you get the most beautiful view of Port of Spain. You may want to stop and take in the view. You will forget about the traffic and fast pace of the city below. You just stand in awe at what must be one of the most beautiful skylines in the Caribbean.