Article written by Mark Stevens. Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens.
Looking for a break from the beach? Then take a hike!
Experience local flora and fauna. Discover crater lakes or gorgeous waterfalls; climb a mountain.
Get some exercise; earn that next Piña Colada.
If your ideal vacation includes a walk in the woods (or anywhere else) then consider this quintessential quintet of islands.
Tackle the Pitons in Saint Lucia
Enjoy the stunning views from the Pitons in Saint Lucia.
Not long ago a friend of mine accepted a marriage proposal high atop the Pitons in Saint Lucia, a duet of statuesque mountains dominating the skyline of this lush island.
My last time there I wanted to bond with the Pitons as well, but I’m neither as ambitious nor fit as my friend. Even so, I still experienced incredible views of both the Pitons and the sapphire waters far below on a trail called Tet Paul. The view from a weather beaten wooden lookout on this trail is one I will remember forever.
And that’s just one of nearly two dozen Saint Lucia trails.
Explore The Caribbean’s Longest Trail in Dominica
Hiking through Waitukubuli National Trail in Dominica
According to Discover Dominica Authority’s Canadian representative, Jerry Grymek, Dominica boasts the Caribbean’s longest hiking trail. “This island is a hikers’ paradise.”
This route, the Waitukubuli National Trail, is a challenging course roughly eighteen kilometres long. Though you could break it into one of two segments – from Scotts Head to Soufrière Estate or Soufrière Estate to Bellevue Chopin – either segment is still rated as difficult.
Hit the trails here in Dominica and visit a boiling lake or explore one of three hikes through lush rainforests leading to cascading waterfalls.
Hike this unspoiled gem and discover why Dominica’s called the “Nature Island.”
Discover Waterfalls on a Grenada Hike
Grenada offers a variety of hikes for different skill levels.
On my first visit to Grenada I began a hike rising up from a crater lake called Grand Etang, making for the heights of Mount Qua-Qua.
Twenty minutes in I stopped and asked our guide if things got any more challenging. His answer in the affirmative abruptly ended that adventure, though I was struck by the lush forest and great views.
On our next Grenada visit we made for Seven Sisters Falls, trudging cross-country for roughly forty minutes before achieving a septet of delightful cascades.
I was starting to like Grenada.
Grenada boasts a wealth of trails ranged from the “easy”-rated Grand Etang Lake Loop (I survived that one) to the eight-plus-kilometre challenge of Mount Saint Catherine.
What’s not to like?
Take a Forest Bath in Montserrat
All smiles hiking in Montserrat – finding ancient stone Taino carvings and petroglyphs (photo courtesy of Montserrat Tourism).
Hit the trails in Montserrat and experience the newest health craze – forest-bathing – first-hand.
Soak in the lush tropical rainforest ambiance dominating the route along the Oriole Trail and you’ll get Montserrat’s nickname: the “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean.”
Cool off in a refreshing waterfall on another trail after encountering ancient stone Taino carvings, book a walking tour in the Exclusion Zone – a controlled access area due to its proximity to the Soufrière Hills Volcano.
According to Alltrails.com, the definitive online hiking resource, five iconic and diverse routes dot the island’s landscape.
If you’re a hiker, Montserrat’s a definite must-do.
Check out the views from a St. Eustatius Trail
Enjoy a break with stunning views while hiking The Quill in Statia (photo courtesy of St. Eustatius Tourism)
Do some pre-vacation homework on St. Eustatius (AKA Statia), and two things become readily apparent.
First, with an area of a mere twenty-one square kilometres, this island is tiny. Second, with sixteen diverse trails, St. Eustatius boasts a range of hiking possibilities way out of proportion to its size.
Many of St. Eustatius’ most popular trails are in Quill National Park. Hike here and descend the crater of an extinct volcano. One trail – Panorama Point – offers spectacular views of neighbouring islands. Soak up some history on the Signal Hill trail, traverse a cactus-studded countryside past the ruins of a plantation.
According to travel writer Gay Nagle Myers, “trails wind all over the island and many are well-worn paths trodden by goats over the years.”
If you’re a hiker this island is a definite must-do. So go ahead: book your trip to St. Eustatius.
Just remember to pack your hiking boots.
Article written by Mark Stevens. Photography by Sharon Matthews-StevensFor twenty-five years the writing/photography team of Mark Stevens and Sharon Matthews-Stevens has provided editorial and photographic Caribbean content to a multitude of publications.
They’ve worked with newspapers from The Washington Post to The Globe and Mail, magazines from Travellife to Caribbean Business and Travel, and online publications from ATasteforTravel.ca to VacayNetwork.com. They have hiked the rainforests of St. Vincent in search of the Vinci parrot, sailed the waters off countless islands and traversed Jamaica in search of the world’s best jerk.
In addition to numerous other writing and photography awards, they have been recognized for their writing and photography fifteen times by the Caribbean Tourism Organization during their Canadian Media Awards events. Mark and Sharon are true Caribbean specialists.
