Mt. Scenery
Stone and concrete steps—1,015 of them—rise to a mahogany grove at the roughly 2,900-foot summit of this mountain. The steps pass giant elephant ears, ferns, begonias, mangoes, palms, and orchids—six ecosystems in all. Staff at the Trail Shop in Windwardside can provide a guide (by advanced reservation). Have your hotel pack a lunch, wear sturdy shoes, and take a jacket and water. After it rains, the trails can be slippery, so a walking stick and good hiking boots can be help, too. It's best to begin what will be a 2½- to 3-hour round-trip hike in the early morning.