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Grenada Hash House Harriers: On On to Fun Adventures!

ByJill Bockenstette

When we first arrived in Grenada, we quickly heard mention of the Grenada Hash House Harriers. But we had a lot of questions: What is it exactly? How do I join a hash? Do I want to join a hash?

It only took one hash and we were hooked! We took in beautiful views of the town, met fellow cruisers we are still good friends with, and got soaked in beer (read on to learn why!).

After attending several more hashes through the hills in the rainforest and along the coastline, we learned the ins and outs of what makes Grenada hashing such a fun experience for all ages and fitness levels.

This article will cover all of the details of the hashers: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. So lace up your shoes, prepare to get a bit muddy and On On with the hashers!

Scott and I are both wearing our green, red and yellow Grenada Hash House Harriers tank top smiling at the camera after a hash. We are in a grassy field with fellow hashers around us. Hashing is a fun Saturday activity in Grenada.
Scott and I are celebrating after completing the hash!

Who are the Grenada Hash House Harriers?

The Grenada Hash House Harriers are an eclectic group of runners and walkers who get together every Saturday afternoon in different locations around Grenada. They refer to themselves as “drinkers with a running problem”!

Anyone can join in on the fun walks and runs. In the several hashes that Scott and I participated in, they were a great mix of locals, cruisers, expats, and visiting adventure seekers! It’s a great way to meet a wide variety of people and participate in fun group hikes in Grenada.

Grenada Hasher Balancing Soccer Ball on Head

Origin of the Hash House Harriers

Hash House Harriers is an international, non-competitive socal running club that the Grenada Hash House Harriers belongs to. They are referred to as a “kennel”.

The origin of Hash House Harriers began back in 1938 in Selangor, a state of what is now Malaysia, according to Wikipedia.

It started when a group of British immigrants would get together for a fun run on Friday evenings. They would play the game of hare and hounds, where the “hare” runner or runners would run ahead and lay a trail of shredded paper that the “hounds” would try to follow.

The fun part (depending on your point of view and definition of “fun”) is when the “hare” lays false hash trails for the hounds to follow! This part of the “game” still goes on today!

The run ends back where it started and everyone partakes in beers and debauchery.

What Takes Place at a Grenada Hash?

Before the Hash

When you arrive, you will sign in with your name and pay the voluntary $3 XCD (equal to $1.11 USD) if you have it. 

It is important to sign in when you get there, and put a check next to your name when you return from the trail so they can account for everyone.

If you are a “virgin” hasher, this is your first hash, they will go over the rules before it begins. 

You will have an option of two trails: one for runners, and one for walkers. From my experience, walking trails are typically 2-3 miles and can be completed in about an hour. 

Over 50 fellow hashers are standing around on the street near the beginning of the hash trail waiting for the hash to start. There are locals, cruisers, children and dogs all eager to start the hash.
Fellow hashers eagerly awaiting for the hash to begin.

During the Hash

We all start at the same time, with the Hash Master or Hash Mistress shouting “On On”!

The hashes vary significantly from week to week. I have participated in many and have trudged through valleys, across river streams, along beaches, through the rainforest, and even through the streets of St. Georges.

I remember one hash with a particularly steep hike down and back up through a really cool valley that took us almost two hours. It was a longer hash, but well worth it when we got to walk past the largest tree on the island!

To stay on the trail, keep a lookout for clumps of shredded paper. The Grenada Hash House Hares do a great job of putting several clumps of paper out along the way.

You will know you are getting close to the finish line when you hear the festive music and see the gathering of people. It’s time to celebrate!

Our friend Joy, me, Scott and a local hasher stop to pose for a picture along the trail in the woods during a hash with the Grenada Hash House Harriers. Joy, Scott and I are all wearing our Grenada hash shirts.
Posing for a picture along the trail during a hash.
Scott, wearing his red, green and yellow Hash tank top, is standing on large rocks at a river bed along the trail of a hash. The river bed has thick trees along the edges as we are deep in the rainforest.
Scott crossing a rocky river bed along the trail during a hash
I am standing on a rock with my arms spread wide on a peninsula during the hash. Behind me are beautiful views of the southern, steep coastline of Grenada. I am wearing an orange tank top and black shorts.
This was one of my favorite hashes due to the beautiful coastline views!

After the Hash

Drinks, food and music are the reward for completing the hash! And in the hot days of summer, a cold drink tastes great after a 2-3 mile walk!

If you are a “virgin” hasher, be sure to stick around for the virgins’ ceremony. And take note, pass off your valuables to one of your non-virgin friends as it may get covered in beer that gets sprayed as part of the ceremony!

They also have special ceremonies for birthday celebrations similar to the virgin ceremony, and a special tradition if you show up in new, clean running shoes!! It involves drinking beer out of your shoe before the run/walk!

Virgin hashers getting sprayed by beer after our first hash. Everyone is closing their eyes and shrinking away from the spraying beer, including Scott in the middle of the group. This is a tradition for new hashers joining the Grenada Hash House Harriers.
We are getting sprayed with beer after our first hash!

Hash Costs

Hashing is an inexpensive way to have a lot of fun. Remember to bring Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) for the run, beer and food:

  • $3 XCD voluntary fee (equivalent to $1.11 USD)
  • $5 XCD per beer (equivalent to $1.85 USD) 
  • $10 XCD food, typically (equivalent to $3.70 USD)

Where Do You Go to Get to the Hash?

The first hash we ever did was literally right next door to where we were staying for hurricane season at the Grenada Yacht Club. It was so nice being able to just walk to the hash, and back to the boat afterwards!

After this first one, we needed to figure out how to keep going to the hashes. The first one was such a fun outdoor activity, we knew we wanted to join in on more.

The location changes every week. Miss one hash, and you’ll miss out on a different trail and a new adventure!

The Grenada Hash House Harriers schedule is posted on their website and Facebook page. Sometimes you can get lucky and it is nearby, while other times, it can be clear across the island.

The location that they post for the hash is the start and finish point for the hash. It is typically located at a rum shop, sporting venue or open field. 

The best way to get there is coordinating with the bus driver named Abbie (+1 473-419-6600) who provides bus service to and from the hash for a reasonable fee. Seats fill up fast, so call Abbie early to reserve your spot. 

Other ways to get around in Grenada to get to the hash include renting a car, or taking a Haylup (similar to Uber in Grenada). I don’t recommend taking a bus as they may not be running after the hash and festivities are over.

a map showing the trail of the 3.1 mile long Quarantine Point hash trail. We started and stopped at Quarantine Point, a peninsula on the west coast of Grenada. We walked along the beach, then up through some steep hills and back to the point. The trail is from my Garmin watch and shows different colors for different paces I was at along the trail.
3.1 Mile Quarantine Point Hash Trail

When are the Grenada Hashes?

Grenada hashes take place every Saturday afternoon, starting at 4:00 pm in the summer months and 3:30 pm in the winter months. Be sure to get there at least 30 minutes early to get signed in and hear any important instructions.

They also hold special hashes for holidays like New Years, Carnival, and Valentines Day that may or may not fall on a Saturday afternoon.

Why Should You Hash?

Going for a walk or run through the bush in the heat of summer in Grenada may not sound like it’s for everyone. So why should you join in on a hash?

Hashes for me have been a great way to explore different parts of the island that I would have never seen otherwise. 

I got to walk through hillsides, river ravines, across streams in the rainforest, and discover new beaches. And, I didn’t have to worry about getting lost! There are typically a couple hundred people at the Grenada hashes – they get a really good turnout!

It’s great exercise (you can go at your own pace) and fun to do with fellow friends. 

After the hash is always a blast with the mix and mingling of locals, cruisers, expats, and anyone else who wants to join. I love that they make everyone feel welcome!

Also, if you sailed with your dog to Grenada, or otherwise have your dog with you, your furry friend is welcome too!

I am leaning on a palm tree along the beach that we walked on during a hash. There are several other palm trees along the beach, along with some trash bags and wooden debris. This is a great way to see parts of the island I would have never gotten to on my own.
Taking a break along the trail on this beach
A beautiful view of the west coast of Grenada, boats anchored along the coastline, and buildings along the coastline in the foreground. This photo was taken after climbing up a hill offering beautiful views of Grenada.
Beautiful views of the coastline on this hash trail!

How to Prepare for a Hash?

Are you ready to go hashing? Here are some things to bring with you to have the best experience possible.

  • Hydration backpack: hiking through the bush in the middle of summer can definitely leave you thirsty. Stay hydrated before the after-hiking beers!
  • Hiking shoes: I typically wore my Keens, because I never knew if I would be going through a river stream, or how muddy the trail would be. 
  • Bug Spray: Dengue Fever ran through the island this past summer! I took bug spray with me wherever I went, especially when hashing through the trails
  • Hiking Pants: These saved my legs on several hashes from minor scrapes through the bush as well as bug bites in the rainforest.
04/29/2026 07:24 pm GMT

More FAQs about Grenada Hash House Harriers

What is Grenada Hash House Harriers?

Grenada Hash House Harriers are a local chapter (aka “kennel”) of the international organization of Hash House Harriers. They playfully refer to themselves as “drinkers with a running problem”.

How many people join the Grenada Hash each week?

The Grenada Hash House Harriers hosts anywhere from 150-300 runners and walkers each week, making them one of the largest hash kennels in the world.

Why is it called hashing?

The term hashing dates back to 1938 from the original group of British immigrants. Several of them lived and dined in the “Hash House”, named so from the different not-so-great foods served. Back then, hash was slang for bad food.

What are the traditions of the Hash House Harriers?

Some traditions of the hash house harriers include: 1. Inducting “virgin” hashers through a ceremony involving spraying beer on them, 2. Setting up false trails that lead to a dead end, 3. Making people with new running shoes drink out of their shoes, and 4. Having an inclusive environment, welcome to all cultures, ethnicities, ages and fitness levels.

On On to the Trails with the Grenada Hash House Harriers

Sometimes it feels like all we care about as cruisers when we arrive at a new island are how to check in, where to find groceries, and where to find the good restaurants. The hashes are a nice Saturday event in Grenada and a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Participating in the Grenada hashes was also a great way for us to explore the island after making our way to Grenada.

We really enjoyed getting into the thick of things and checking out different parts of Grenada. We also loved hanging out with fellow cruisers and meeting new friends.

The hashes are just one of our favorite things to do on the island, in addition to checking out the waterfalls, and chocolate and rum tours.

Have you hashed before? What are some of your most memorable hashing moments? We would love to hear from you!

Read More Posts about Grenada

Jill Bockenstette has been sailing for over 11 years and has lived aboard her 1998 Hunter 450 Passage, Pelagia, full-time for more than 4 years. She has logged over 7,000 nautical miles across Mobile Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, the east coast of the United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, where she is currently exploring the vibrant waters. Jill enjoys sharing her passion for sailing and the lessons learned from her salty, adventurous lifestyle on the water.