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Virgin Islands National Park: Hiking Trails

Leinster Bay Trail/Road

(Distance 0.8 mile, Approximate Time: 30 minutes)

The trail follows the old Danish Road eastward along the shore from the Annaberg picnic area to Waterlemon Bay. This is a good place to swim. Snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay is very good.

Johnny Horn Trail

 (Distance: 1.8 miles, Approximate Time 2 hours)

This trail begins at Waterlemon Bay and crosses the ridges southward to the paved road at Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay. The trail passes through sunny, dry forest.

Brown Bay Trail

(Distance: 1.6 miles, Approximate Time: 2 hours)

The National Park cautions that this trail is NOT maintained! The trail begins from the ridge 0.7 miles out of Johnny Horn trail from Waterlemon Bay. The trail branches to the east and descends through a dry thorn shrub area and into a valley. The trail borders Brown Bay for a short distance and then ascends over a ridge which overlooks Hurricane Hole. The trail ends at the East End Road just a little over a mile passed the Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay.

Reef Bay Trail

(Distance: 2.2 miles, Approximate Time: 2 hour)

This trail begins on Centerline Road. The trail descends 937 feet through a shady forest. There is a variety of plant life to be seen while hiking. The visible remains of four sugar estates and a more recent farming community are found along the trail. The trail ends at the Reef Bay Plantation ruins near Genti Bay. Guided Hikes are available with a National Park ranger.

Petroglyph Trail

(Distance: 0.2 miles, Approximate Time: 15 minutes)

This trail starts 1.5 miles down the Reef Bay trail. Mysterious rock carvings are located at the end of the trail. In rainy season a small waterfall and stream run through the rocks; in dry season the stream becomes small brackish pools.

Lameshur Bay Trail

(Distance: 1.5 miles, Approximate Time: 1 hour 15 minutes)

This trail connects Lameshur Bay with Reef Bay trail. The hiking is through dry, open forest. 1.2 miles from the Reef Bay junction a spur trail leads 0.3 miles to a salt pond and coral rubble beach at Europa Beach.

Yawzi Point Trail

(Distance: 0.3 mile, Approximate Time: 20 minutes)

This trail leads from Little Lameshur Bay Road through thorny vegetation to isolated coves.

Bordeaux Mountain Trail

(Distance: 1.2 mile, Approximate Time: 1 hour 30 minutes)

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.

Salt Pond Bay Trail

 (Distance 0.2 mile, Approximate Time: 15 minutes)

This trail begins at the parking area 3.9 miles south of Coral Bay. The trail leads down to Salt Pond Beach through cactus and scrubland. There is good snorkeling and swimming at this beach. This area is usually particularly hot and sunny.

Drunk Bay Trail

(Distance: 0.3 miles, Approximate Time 20 minutes)

This trail begins at the south end of Salt Pond Bay Beach and turns to the east along the north side of the salt pond. In the past salt from the pond was harvested, some residents still collect salt during the summer months for personal uses. The windy conditions and salt have stunted the growth of many plants in the area therefore along the trail you will pass many short shrubs. Drunk Bay is a rocky bay and is not safe for swimming. Figures made of the coral rocks on the beach are often left by visitors. A deer and man can be made out in the picture shown.

Ram Head Trail

(Distance: 1.0 miles, Approximate Time: 1 hours)

This trail begins at the south end of Salt Pond Bay Beach. This rocky trail leads to a blue cobble beach and then leads back up the hillside to an overlook 200 feet above the Caribbean Sea. Use caution when walking near the edge of cliffs.

Safety Tips

Remember we drive on the left side of the road. Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no safe drinking water along the trails. You can easily get dehydrated from the heat and from the exercise of hiking. Protect your skin and eyes from the sun. Use sunscreen, wear a hat, a shirt and UV protected sunglasses. The sunlight is most damaging between 10am and 2pm. Sun burns and sun poisoning are dangerous and painful. Don't leave valuable items exposed in your car or on the beach. Theft is not a big problem, but do not tempt potential thieves by leaving valuables in the open. Large, shore breaking waves are dangerous. Do not venture into the open ocean along coastlines. Use caution when entering and leaving the water when the surf is high. Do not feed or harass the wildlife.

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