St. John Hiking
For the best hiking in the US Virgin Islands, come to St. John. Most of the island is a national park, so nature is preserved for you to hike through and marvel at. There are hikes of different lengths and difficulties, and many of the trails connect with each other. You can start out slow and build up your endurance as you keep hiking St John USVI trails.
Here are some of our favorite hiking trails that you should explore when you stay in a St. John vacation villa!
North Shore Trails
The Francis Bay trail is a short and easy loop around the Francis Bay salt pond. It is a half-mile trail that can take 60-90 minutes, depending on how long you pause to take in the sights. It begins at the Francis Bay Sugar Factory and takes you through a mangrove lagoon and the ruins of an old plantation. It also takes you to Francis Bay beach, so you can make a day of it as you frolic in the water.
Don a snorkel and mask to explore the coral reefs at the Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail. With a $5 entry fee paid to the national park, you can enter Trunk Bay and take a snorkeling hike for about 30-60 minutes. The trail follows underwater signs. You need to be confident of your swimming ability so you don’t step on the coral reefs and damage them. You also want to be sure to use sunscreen or wear rash guards.
For a more difficult North Shore trail, try the Caneel Hill Trail. It is a one-mile steep trail up Mount Caneel. There is an observation deck where you can climb up and admire the view. Then you can continue to Margaret Hill or return to the beginning. You can reach the trail at the top of the hill right from Cruz Bay or through the Upper Lind Point trail by using the Caneel Spur to connect the two.
South Shore Trails
The Yawzi Point trail is an easy hike past stone ruins from the Danish colonial period that leads you to isolated rocky beaches. It is a .6-mile out-and-back trail that is generally flat and well-marked and takes less than a half hour to hike.
The Tektite Trail is labeled as easy, but many hikers find the steep incline at the beginning more like a moderate hike. It starts near Coral Bay on the south side of Lameshur road at the first switchback. It is a 1.3-mile trail that you can hike out and then return on the same path. You can see some wonderful views from the trail, and you’ll see a variety of cacti growing.
The Reef Bay is one of the more famous St John USVI trails. It’s a fairly strenuous back-country hike of approximately three miles that begins near mile marker five on Centerline Rd and takes you to the beach. You’ll see some of the oldest trees on the island, Danish sugar plantation ruins, and ancient rock carvings. You’ll also see signs telling you about the plants you see along the way. The hike back involves a 900-foot elevation, so this is not for the faint of heart or people without good hiking shoes.
Plan Your Visit
Contact the team at Caribbean Villas to start planning your beach getaway to St. John today. We look forward to hosting you!
Where to Stay
Caribbean Villas has many St. John beachfront rentals near the local hiking trails. Stay in one of our amenity-filled villas while you are hiking St. John USVI, and you will rest easy after a day exploring nature. Our exceptional service, luxuriant villas, and the amazing St John hiking trails will combine for a vacation of a lifetime. Contact us today to begin planning your St John hiking trip.
