Jacob's Ladder
A straight staircase of 699 steps climbing from Jamestown to Ladder Hill. It was originally an inclined railway for hauling goods, and from the top you can look down over the whole valley town.
Jacob's Ladder was built in 1829. It was originally an inclined track for hauling goods and manure between Jamestown and Ladder Hill Fort at the top. The tracks were later removed, leaving only 699 steep steps. The vertical drop is about 180 metres, with a slope of about 40 degrees. The climb takes about 20–40 minutes. Fit people sometimes time themselves as a challenge. On the way down, local children have a tradition of sliding down the handrails on their stomachs. From the top you can see Jamestown and the harbour, and the summit has the ruins of Ladder Hill Fort. It is free to visit. The steps are lit at night. They are steep, so take it slowly.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Museum of St Helena
- St James' Church
- Jamestown Main Street & Castle Gardens
- Jamestown Wharf & Whale Shark Waters
- Briars Pavilion
- High Knoll Fort
- Heart Shaped Waterfall
- Lemon Valley