Hiking in St John

St John, Virgin Islands

Hike Safely

Plan your hike with a map.
Bring plenty of water and snacks: 1/2 gal of water for each four hours of hiking is minimum recommendation.
When walking on the road please walk facing traffic when possible.
Notify friends where you are going and when you will return.
Many trails have limited (or no) cell phone access!
Plan for ample time to allow for uphill terrain, exploring, swimming and enjoying the scenic rests.
Stay on the trails. Do not trespass on private property.
Many trailheads have limited parking so plan to carpool or take a taxi.
Wear cool, loose clothing and comfortable sturdy walking or hiking shoes.
Use insect repellent, especially during rainy seasons.
Sunscreen is always recommended. Use Reef Safe sunscreens to protect our coral reefs.

Trail Safety

Avoid hiking or swimming alone.
Pace yourself to prevent fatigue and watch your footing on wet rocks.
DO NOT eat unknown fruits, nuts or berries. Some are poisonous.
Avoid handling or picking vegetation. Some cause severe rashes or may have stinging insects.
Do not climb on the fragile, historic structures, and leave all artifacts in place.
Use extreme caution when walking on our narrow roads.
Do not leave valuables unattended at any time.

St John Hiking Trails

Hiking is one of the most popular activities on St. John. Virgin Islands National Park provides a wide variety of hiking experiences and more than 20 trails to choose from.

Check out Plants to Avoid before you head out. Stop by the Visitor Center store, operated by the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, to pick up a copy of the Hikers Guide to Virgin Islands National Park for information on all our trails.

We offer accessible boardwalks that meander through historic ruins or take you to a bird viewing deck on one of our lovely salt ponds. For the adventurous, you can put on your hiking shoes and take the Reef Bay Trail down to the petroglyphs, and then down to the old Sugar Mill which is near a lovely beach.

Island Destinations to Hike

Annaberg Ruins Trail

The Annaberg Hiking Trail starts at the east entrance to Annaberg Plantation and ends at Leinster Bay. Accessible from North Shore (Rt. 20), Annaberg Plantation, and the nearby trail, are popular sites of interest if you’re visiting St. John.

Annaberg Area Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 30 minutes - .02 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Annaberg School Trail

This trail leads to ruins of one of the Caribbean's oldest public school houses. The school offers great views of Mary Point, Leinster Bay and Tortola.

Annaberg School Area — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 15 Minutes - 0.2 Miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Bordeaux Mtn. Trail

This is a steep, open to the sun trail. It connects the shady Bordeaux Mountain Road with Lameshur Bay 1,000 feet below. Bordeaux Mountain is the highest point on St. John at 1,277 feet.

Bordeaux Mountain Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 2 Hours - 1.6 Miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Brown Bay Trail

The beach at Brown Bay is sandy and wind swept with plenty of shade along the narrow sand and pebble shoreline. The water is a mix of sandy bottom and sea grasses. Shallow entry. Waves are lightest early in the morning and on days when the wind is out of the south. Snorkeling is best along the eastern side where the corals are exposed to a stronger current and deeper water.

Brown Bay Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 2 Hours - 1.6 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Cabritte Horn Point Trail

Cabritte Horn Point Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 2 Hours - 2.4 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Caneel Hill Spur Trail

The Caneel Hill Spur, as its name implies is a spur trail off the Caneel Hill Trail. It runs between the Upper Lind Point Trail and the Caneel Hill Trail crossing the Northshore Road (Route (20) in between.

Caneel Hill Spur Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 2 Hours - 0.8 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Caneel Hill Trail

This is a point to point trail that joins Cruz Bay to Northshore road. At the top of Margaret Hill, you have stunning views of the island and ocean around you. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking.

Caneel Bay — Cruz Bay, St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 2 Hours - 2.4 miles each way

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes, Dogs must be on a leash

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Cinnamon Bay Trail

For a more adventurous hike, try the strenuous 1 mile Cinnamon Bay Trail which begins east of the ruins. Hike uphill through a shaded forest filled with several tall trees including mango, genip, guava berry, kapok, and mammee apple. There is a 0.38 mile spur off of this trail leading to the ruins of a great house known as America Hill. This trail ends at Centerline Road.

Cinnamon Bay Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 1 Hour - 1.1 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Cinnamon Bay Self Guiding Trail

The boardwalk and nature loop are located across the road from the entrance to the Cinnamon Bay Campground. The nature loop is an easy 0.5 mile hike.

Cinnamon Bay Self-Guiding Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 20 Minutes - .05 niles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Drunk Bay Trail

The Drunk Bay Trail is . 3 mile beginning on the left (east) at the end of the Salt Pond Bay beach. It follows along the north side of Salt Pond, and over to the shoreline where waves are always crashing and dangerous swimming conditions exist.

Drunk Bay Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Hiking

Duration: 20-60 Minutes

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Europa Bay Trail.

This is a 2.2-mile out-and-back trail near Reef Bay, Saint John.

Europa Bay — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 60-120 Minutes - 2.2 m

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes - Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Francis Bay Trail

Francis Bay Trail starts at the Francis Bay Sugar Factory. It continues past the Mary's Point Estate house and around a salt pond. The dry tropical forest and salt pond provide an excellent opportunity to view birds. The lower portion of the trail is an accessible boardwalk that continues through the mangroves to the two viewing platforms.

Francis Bay Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 15 minutes - .03 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Genti Bay Trail

This sandy beach, at the end of the Reef Bay Trail, is not only beautiful but one of the most secluded on St. John. With plenty of shade but no amenities

Genti Bay — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Duration: 20-60 Minutes

Reservations: No Age: 5-75 years old

Pets: Yes Location: Tektite Trail Head

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Great Lameshur Bay Shoreline Trail

The Great Lameshur Bay shoreline trail begins at the lefthand end of the beach and climbs over the rocky shoreline.

Great Lameshur Bay — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Duration: 20-60 Minutes

Reservations: No Age: 5-75 years old

Pets: Yes Location: Tektite Trail Head

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Johnny Horn Trail

The Johnny Horn Trail is 1.8 miles, passing through sunny, upland dry forest and scrub. This historic trail begins at Waterlemon Bay and crosses the ridges southward to the paved road at Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay.

Johnny Horn Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: Hours - 1.8 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Lameshur Bay Trail

This trail is 1.5 miles and connects Lameshur Bay with Reef Bay trail. It provides open, dry forest hiking. If you continue to the left at the junction with Reef Bay trail, it is another 1.3 miles to the Reef Bay beach and sugar mill ruins.

Leinster Bay — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 20-60 Minutes - 1.5 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Leinster Bay and Waterlemon Cay Trail

After touring the historic Annaberg Ruins, taking a dip at Leinster Bay is heavenly. This .8 mile trail follows the old Danish road eastward along the seashore from the Annaberg picnic site to Leinster Bay and Waterlemon Cay.

Annaberg Area Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 30 Minutes - .8 mile

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Lind Point Trail

The Lind Point Trail starts just behind the park visitor center and ends at breathtaking Honeymoon Bay or Solomon Bay. The trail offers several spurs one of which heads to the overlook. Stop and rest on the bench as you watch the boats sail by.

Lind Point Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 40-60 Minutes - 1.1 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Peace Hill

Peace Hl Trl — Dennis Bay/ Hawknest, St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 10-20 Minutes - .1 mile

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Petroglyph Trail

This trail begins 1.5 miles down the Reef Bay trail, and is .2 of a mile long. A very nice little side-trail off of the Reef Bay Trail which leads to the Petroglyph Falls and Petroglyphs. During the dry season the falls reduce to a small trickle. The rock carvings by the pools are attributed to early Arawak Indians.

Petroglyph Trl — Reef Bay, St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Duration: 30 Minutes

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Rams Head Trail

Ram Head Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Duration: 20-60 Minutes

Reservations: No Age: 5-75 years old

Pets: Yes Location: Tektite Trail Head

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Reef Bay Trail

Reef Bay Trail is a strenuous hike that will take you past some of the oldest and tallest trees on the island. Danish sugar plantation ruins, stone walls from cattle grazing, and ancient rock carvings left behind by the pre-Colombian Taino can be found along the trail. During rainy season the waterfall can be spectacular.

Reef Bay Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Eaqsy

Duration: 20-60 Minutes

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Salt Pond Bay Trail

This trail is .2 mile from the parking area to the beach, and is open to the sun. Salt Pond Bay is also called Concordia Bay. Concordia means "of the same heart" or "of the same mind".

Saltpond Bay Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 20 Minutes - .02 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Tektite Trail

The trailhead can be found to the right of Lameshur Road at the first switchback. The .7 mile trail begins with a moderately strenuous ascent on the Cabritte Horn Point. Hike through the desert-like terrain to reach scenic views atop coastal cliffs.

Tektite Trail — Lameshur Complex, St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 20-60 Minutes

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Turtle Point Trail

Trail begins at the north end of the Caneel Bay Plantation. Hikers on this trail should enter the property and register at the front desk.

TURTLE Point Court — Cruz Bay, St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Easy

Duration: 30 Minutes - .06 miles

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Water Catchment Trail

Starting across the road (Route 20) from the entrance to the Caneel Bay Resort, you can access the Water Catchment Spur Trail and hike back to your starting point. The entire loop involves less than one mile of hiking.

Water Catchment Trl — Caneel Bay, St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 30 Minutes - 1.0 mile

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Yawzi Point Trail

Located between Great Lameshur Bay and Little Lameshur Bay, this .3 mile trail is a good choice if looking for an easy hike. Stone ruins of homes from the Danish colonial period can be found alongside the trail. Small rocky beaches can be accessed by side trails for a quiet snorkel entry spot.

Yawzi Point Trail — St John 00830, USVI

Parks: Virgin Islands National Park

Skill: Moderate

Duration: 30-50 Minutes

Reservations: No

Pets: Yes

Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk