Jacob’s Ladder in St. Helena is one of the world’s longest and steepest stairways

• Jacob’s Ladder boasts 699 relentless steps, rising 600 feet in a near-vertical ascent that challenges even seasoned hikers.
• Originally built in 1829 as a funicular railway, this historical landmark transformed into a staircase after termite-inflicted damage in 1871.
• On the isolated South Atlantic island of St. Helena, famed for Napoleon’s exile, it offers panoramic views that reward those brave enough to conquer it.

In the heart of the vast South Atlantic Ocean lies St. Helena, a volcanic outpost known for its rugged terrain and storied past.

Here, adventure travel enthusiasts flock to test their limits against one of the planet’s most daunting feats: Jacob’s Ladder.

This extreme stairway, etched into the cliffside above Jamestown, the island’s quaint capital, isn’t just a set of steps—it’s a gateway to history, endurance, and breathtaking vistas that leave visitors pondering what other secrets this remote paradise holds.

The Biblical Origins and Early Ascents

The name “Jacob’s Ladder” draws from the Book of Genesis, where the patriarch Jacob dreams of a ladder stretching to heaven, angels ascending and descending its rungs.

From the valley floor in Jamestown, the structure appears to pierce the sky, evoking that ancient vision.

But its roots are far more earthly. In the early 1700s, access to Ladder Hill Fort atop the 600-foot escarpment relied on a simple rope ladder, as mapped by explorer John Thornton around 1700.

This precarious climb was reserved for foot traffic, with soldiers and locals hauling themselves up the twisting path.

By the late 18th century, a gentler road—now called Shy Road—emerged, bypassing the rope.

Yet, as St. Helena evolved under British rule, the need for efficient transport grew. The island, a vital stopover for ships during the age of sail, required a way to move heavy loads from the port town to inland farms.

Enter the Saint Helena Railway Company, which in the 1820s envisioned an inclined plane railway along the steep route.

Completed in 1829, this engineering marvel featured two parallel tracks where cars, loaded with goods, balanced each other via a continuous chain powered by donkeys at the summit.

The primary cargo? Vast quantities of manure, essential for fertilizing the island’s arid soils.

Historical records detail the railway’s mechanics: wooden sleepers supported the rails, and a capstan system ensured smooth operation.

For over four decades, it hummed with activity, ferrying everything from supplies to passengers willing to brave the incline.

Engineering Triumphs and the Shift to Stairs

The railway’s ingenuity shone in its design—a 924-foot length at a punishing 39 to 41-degree angle, making it one of the steepest inclines of its era.

Each car could haul up to several tons, counterbalanced to minimize animal effort.

But challenges mounted: chain breaks were common, and a 1867 fire scorched the undercarriage.

By 1871, white ants—termites—had ravaged the wooden components, rendering the system unsafe.

The Royal Engineers stepped in, dismantling the tracks and re-engineering the site into a permanent staircase.

What remained were 699 steps, each rising 11 inches, transforming the obsolete railway into a pedestrian path that retained its dramatic profile.

This conversion not only preserved access but elevated the site to a Grade I-listed heritage monument, safeguarding its place in St. Helena’s built legacy.

Visitors today marvel at how this shift mirrored the island’s resilience. St. Helena, covering just 47 square miles and home to about 4,500 “Saints,” has long adapted to isolation.

The staircase’s endurance echoes the island’s own, having withstood volcanic origins, colonial upheavals, and modern refurbishments.

In 2006, repairs addressed wear from constant use, and a major 2022-2023 overhaul, funded by a £300,000 donation from the British Napoleonic Bicentenary Trust, restored its lighting and structural integrity by April 2023.

The Daunting Dimensions and Records That Beckon

Imagine facing a stairway that stretches nearly a fifth of a mile straight up, with an average gradient that rivals the world’s most extreme hikes.

Nighttime illumination casts an ethereal glow, turning the climb into a surreal experience under starry skies unpolluted by city lights.

This table captures the essence of what makes Jacob’s Ladder a pinnacle of adventure tourism, but numbers alone don’t convey the burn in your thighs or the rush of achievement at the top.

Climbing records add to the allure. The annual Festival of Running hosts the Jacob’s Ladder Challenge, drawing competitors from afar.

In 2013, Scottish athlete Graham Doig set a benchmark of 5 minutes and 16.78 seconds, a time that stood for over a decade.

Then, on November 21, 2024, local hero James Appleton shattered it with a blistering 4 minutes and 40.75 seconds, fueling debates on whether sub-4 minutes is possible.

Such feats inspire tourists to time their own ascents, earning certificates from the Museum of St. Helena as proof of conquest.

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Tales from the Treads and Hidden Dangers

Beyond the sweat, stories infuse the steps with life.

In the mid-20th century, islander Matty John, a squeezebox musician, would stagger up after pub nights, once dangling by his braces after a near-fatal slip—spotted and saved by a watchful prisoner.

Earlier generations slid down the central handrails on cardboard, a thrill now discouraged for safety but whispered about in local lore.

The ladder’s perils are real: its steepness demands respect, with tips advising climbers to start early to avoid midday heat, wear sturdy shoes, and hydrate profusely.

Yet, the reward? Unparalleled views over Jamestown’s Georgian architecture, the azure ocean, and distant horizons where ships once anchored during St. Helena’s heyday as a maritime hub.

Linking to St. Helena’s Broader Mysteries

Jacob’s Ladder doesn’t stand alone in luring history buffs and nature lovers. It’s a stepping stone—literally—to exploring the island’s tapestry.

From the summit at Half Tree Hollow, paths lead to Plantation House, the Governor’s residence where Jonathan, the world’s oldest tortoise at over 190 years, grazes the lawns.

Nearby, Longwood House whispers tales of Napoleon’s final exile from 1815 to 1821, his restless days plotting escapes amid subtropical gardens.

Venture further to Diana’s Peak, the island’s highest point at 2,690 feet, enveloped in cloud forest teeming with endemic ferns and birds. Or seek the heart-shaped waterfall, a romantic cascade hidden in verdant valleys.

Post box walks, self-guided trails with stamped “post boxes” at endpoints, reveal diverse landscapes from lava fields to lush peaks.

Rupert’s Valley holds somber history as a depot for liberated slaves in the 19th century, its archaeological sites uncovering forgotten narratives.

As you descend Jacob’s Ladder, muscles aching but spirit soaring, questions linger: What drove engineers to build such a beast in 1829?

How did termites topple a railway empire? And with records tumbling, who will next rewrite the limits of human speed on these ancient stones?

St. Helena’s isolation—reachable only by weekly flights from Johannesburg or occasional cruises—preserves its enigmas, but each step up Jacob’s Ladder pulls you deeper into wondering if you’ve truly conquered it, or if it’s the island that’s captured you.

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