Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Montserrat Woodlands Runaway Ghaut

Runaway Ghaut

Legend says those who drink from this trickle of water are destined to return to Montserrat.

Woodlands, Montserrat

Added By
Blake Allen
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Fabled Water of Runaway Ghaut.   Blake Allen / Atlas Obscura User
Signage for Runaway Ghaut.   Blake Allen / Atlas Obscura User
Stone Fountain along Salem Road.   Blake Allen / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Maps as old as 1673 illustrate just how littered with ghauts the tiny, mountainous Caribbean island of Montserrat is. But Runaway Ghaut, which bisects the town of Olveston, is one of only four ghauts in Montserrat with a permanent flow of rainwater. Local legend claims that those who drink right from the ghaut are destined to return to Montserrat, should they ever leave the island.

A ghaut (pronounced “gut’”) is an usual geological feature that’s quite common on the islands of the Lesser Antilles. These narrow but deep gullies run along the steepest slopes of the islands’ mountains, funneling rainwater into the larger bodies of water at the lower elevations.

Because of the permanence of their runs and the reliability of their flows, ghauts play an instrumental role in maintaining the lush forest ecosystems of these small islands and have historically played an equally important role as a source for clean drinking water for the island’s human populations. And while most ghauts only run seasonally, due to their entirely weather-dependent source, there are a noted few across the Caribbean that maintain a constant trickle year round.

Runaway Ghaut received both its peculiar name and its famous legend after French forces fled the island from the Olveston area following their defeat by the British, only to return years later and briefly reclaim control of Montserrat. But this lackluster landmark’s legend has only recently taken on an even greater significance in light of the island’s recent history.

On July 18, 1995, the long-dormant volcano in the south of Montserrat, Soufrière Hill, began to spew ash and trigger mud slides. More than 11,000 people were evacuated from the island’s most populous area surrounding the capital city and were forcibly relocated. A lucky few resettled in the more geologically stable north of the island, but most of the evacuated Montserratians made their way to the United Kingdom as refugees via ferries from the north of Montserrat (as Soufrière had destroyed the island’s only airport). The only safely passable road to the north ran through Olveston and directly past the famous Runaway Ghaut, which became an important stop for those being displaced.

Today, Runaway Ghaut continues to trickle rainwater down from the Centre Hills year-round, and is clearly marked along Salem Road, which runs from the new capital of Brades (Little Bay) south to Salem and the boundary of the “exclusion zone” (as Soufrière remains geologically unstable). Travelers who enjoy their time on this underappreciated Caribbean island are encouraged to stop here and drink from the ghaut to guarantee their own return.

Related Tags

Geology Geological Oddities Water Islands Rites And Rituals Legends

Know Before You Go

Due to the sensitivity of Montserrat’s endangered ecosystem, it is not recommended that travelers shimmy their way through the brush to drink from Runaway Ghaut. Instead the citizens of Olveston have constructed a stone fountain so that anyone may drink from its fabled flowing waters. However, this fountain rests along one of the islands major roads, right before a blind curve, and does not have a designated parking space. So travelers should be alert for on-coming traffic and conscious of where they park should they arrive by car. These precautions are equally important to ensuring your return to the island.

Community Contributors

Added By

Blake Allen

Published

January 31, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Fergus, Howard A. "Montserrat: History of a Caribbean Colony" (MacMillan Caribbean. 1994)
  • Pattullo, Polly. "Fire from the Mountain: The Tragedy of Montserrat and the Betrayal of its People" (Papillote Press, 2000)
  • Fergus, Howard A. "Montserrat: History of a Caribbean Colony" (MacMillan Caribbean, 1994)
  • Pattullo, Polly "Fire from the Mountain: The Tragedy of Montserrat and the Betrayal of its People" (Papillote Press, 2000)
Runaway Ghaut
Salem Road
Woodlands
Montserrat
16.757187, -62.224892
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Montserrat Volcano Observatory

Flemming, Montserrat

miles away

AIR Studio Ruins

Montserrat

miles away

Montserrat's City of Ash

Saint Peter's, Montserrat

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Montserrat

Montserrat

Caribbean

Places 3

Nearby Places

Montserrat Volcano Observatory

Flemming, Montserrat

miles away

AIR Studio Ruins

Montserrat

miles away

Montserrat's City of Ash

Saint Peter's, Montserrat

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Montserrat

Montserrat

Caribbean

Places 3

Related Places

  • A view of the perfectly round Lac Pavin.

    Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France

    Lac Pavin

    This volcanic crater lake is renowned for its perfectly round shape, stunning blue-green waters, and unique geological properties.

  • Lake Posta Fibreno

    Carpello, Italy

    Lake Posta Fibreno

    This serene, turquoise lake in an extraordinary nature reserve showcases a rare natural phenomenon.

  • Seaward entrance.

    Peñíscola, Spain

    Bufador de Peñiscola

    The blowhole bursts spectacularly right next to the buildings in a medieval seaside town.

  • Corryvreckan Whirlpool.

    Scotland

    Corryvreckan Whirlpool

    Legend says a witch conjured the world's third largest whirlpool to protect Scotland from a nasty pirate.

  • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

    Keahole Point Blowhole

    This unusual lava tube spouts seawater during high surf.

  • Beware of the spectral cowboy.

    Ashland, Kansas

    St. Jacob's Well

    Stories of sightless fish and ghostly cowboys are only a fraction of the legends surrounding this Kansas sinkhole.

  • Jindo, South Korea

    Jindo-Modo Landbridge

    Landbridge created by the South Korean version of Moses.

  • Philippines

    Vulcan Point

    An island in the middle of a lake, in the middle of a volcano, in the middle of a bigger lake, in the middle of a bigger island, in an archipelago, in the Pacific Ocean.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.