Saba News News and tourist information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
Saba’s nature: take a look at its hiking trails
Saba’s hiking Trails offer a nice view of Saba’s flora and unique beauty. Some pass old ruins, some delve into caves, some go around the uninhabited side of the island, some go through the rain forest, and all offer something different. Most trails are very well marked and in good condition.
Mt. Scenery trail
Hiking time: 90 mins one way
A moderate to strenuous hike.
1064 steps to the top of the highest mountain in the Dutch Kingdom. On your way to the rainforest at the top you will see fascinating changes in vegetation and, at the top, spectacular views of neighboring islands. Click here for pictures
Check out this 45 min. guided hike into the cloud forest.
Bud's Mountain trail Hiking time: 90 mins one way A moderate hike. Bud's Mountain trail is an alternative to the Mt. Scenery top. Start on the Mt Scenery trail in Windwardside. At the Rendezvous Junction take direction Crispeen. Then turn right later. The trail joins the Mt. Scenery trail at the first shelter hut from the top. Click here for pictures
Crispeen trail Hiking time: 60 mins one way A moderate hike. The Crsispeen trail connects The Bottom to Windwardside. From The Bottom, follow the road to Windwardside. The trail head is on your left. Follow the signs to Rendezvous. The trail takes you through the rain forest, passes through fields and old pasture land and ends at Rendezvous.From Windwardside, start at the trail head of the Mt. Scenery trail. Click here for pictures
Bottom-Mountain trail Hiking time: 90 mins one way A moderate hike. The Bottom-Mountain trail connects The Bottom to Windwardside and the Mt. Scenery trail. From The Bottom, follow the road to the queensGardens resort. The trail head is on your right. You pass through rain forest and old pasture land. After the junction to the crispeen trail on your right. Later Bud's Mountain trail gives you access to the climb to Mt. Scenery. If you continue, you'll arrive at rendezvous, from where you can descent to Windwardside or take the steps to Mt. Scenery. Click here for pictures
Paris Hill trail Hiking time: 90 mins up+down A moderate hike. The Paris hill trail has not well defined trail heads. One is located along the road from The Bottom to Fort Bay. Turn right before the office of the Cable Company. Alternatively goi to the parking of the hospital in The Bottom. Take the stairs in the middle of the parking. There are no signs along the trail so follow the path. Your efforts are rewarded with great views of the Caribbean Sea and The Bottom. Click here for pictures
The Ladder Hiking time: 40 mins one way A moderate to strenuous hike. The Ladder is a heritage trail. Before the port in Fort Bay was in operation, all cargo was carried by men from the anchorage in Ladder Bay to the Bottom. In The Bottom, follow the road that passes the Hospital in the direction of Well's Bay. Turn left at the gazebo. The trail head start at your left. The ginning is easy, but once you pass the old customs house, you find yourself on a stone "ladder" that takes you to Ladder Bay. You will get respect for the old Sabans that had to carry all their building material up this "Ladder". Click here for pictures
Sandy Cruz trail Hiking time: 120 mins one way A moderate hike. Many visitors consider the Sandy Cruz trail their favorite. It runs along along the north side of Mt. Scenery. The rain forest protects you from the sun. It connects Upper Hells Gate to Troy Hill, just above The Bottom. From the Bottom, follow the road towards Queens Gardens resort. The trail head starts at the Mommers' residence. Alternatively along the road from Windwardside to the airport, you find a sign that directs you to the Hell's Gate trail head. Follow this road till the end. The trail head is on your left. Click here for pictures
North Coast trail Hiking time: 150 mins one way A moderate hike. The North Coast trail runs from Lower Hell's Gate to Well's Bay. The ecntre part of the trail is somewhat difficult. There is a large landslide area and part of the trail is difficult to find because of multiple goat trails. As you can get lost, you should ask a guide to assist you. However Starting in Well's Bay you can get by yourself to the ruins in Mary's Point. Then stop. Coming from Hell's Gate, you can walk to the "stop" sign after which you should not continue without a guide. Click here for pictures
All Too Far trail Hiking time: 90 mins one way A moderate hike. The All Too Far trail connects the east part of the North Coast trail with the Sandy Cruz trail. Starting from the Sandy Cruz trail you walk down hill. It is fascinating to observe how the vegegation changes from rain forest to scrb when you descent. Click here for pictures
Sulpher Mine trail Hiking time: 40 mins one way A moderate hike. The Old Sulpher Mine trail is the original path the miners walked in the early 1900's when working in the mine. The mine can still be explored, but high temperatures and humidity call for caution. After the church in Hell's Gate,take the 2nd road to the left. The trail head is at the end of this road. At the junction turn right. Once you reach a grassy area overlooking the sea and Green Island a short scramble down the supher deposit will lead you to the mine entrance. Click here for pictures
Tidal Pools trail Hiking time: 15 mins one way A moderate hike. The Tidal Pools at Flat Point (Airport) are pools that get continuoiusly filled with fresh sea water by breaking waves. Just before the airport building, athe road goes down to Cove Bay. At the school building turn to the leftand walk out to the cliff overlooking the ocean. There is no specific trail. Have the guts to go down. Click here for pictures
Spring Bay trail Hiking time: 15 mins one way A moderate hike. Along the Spring Bay trail Saba will show you a completely different side of her nature. No rain forest at all. This results in spectacular views of the ocean and the airport. There is no shadow on the trail so be prepared and take sun block and sufficient water. From English Quarter walk down the road to the right from the Agricultural Station. Continue the path to Old Booby Hill and further down to Spring Bay. From there it goes uphill to Kelby's ridge and then to the road from the airport. There are not a lot of signs to find you way. Follow the path. Click here for pictures
Giles Quarter trail Hiking time: 150 mins one way A moderate - strenuous hike. The Giles Quater trail starts behind the Customs Building in Fort Bay. Follow the road and descent to the sea shore. There is not a very clear path, but the ridge is a good indication where to climb to reach the Road. There is no shadow on the trail so be prepared and take sun block and sufficient water. Click here for pictures
Maskehorn Hill trail Hiking time: 20 mins one way A moderate hike. The Maskehorn Hill trail is the easiest way to have a great look onto Windwardside. Start at the trail head of the Mt. Scenery trail in Windwardside. Follow the path until the sign leads you to the left. Enjoy the great view from the Maskehorn Hill. Click here for pictures
Trail Shop to Museum trail Hiking time: 10 mins one way An easy hike. The Trail Shop to Museum trail leads you from the Trail Shop to the Museum grounds. Although it is only a short distance, it gives you ample time to enjoy the lush vegetation. Click here for pictures
The green lines connect the points of the same elevation. You may use this information to estimate the amount that you have’ll to climb or descent on the trail.
Be sure to visit the Trail Shop close to the entry point of the Mnt. Scenery trail in Windwardside.
The Saba Trail Shop asks a US$3 donation for the trail upkeep, and guests receive a trail badge. Trail maps and various gifts, books and souvenirs can be purchased at the Trail Shop.
Map of Saba trails is courtesy of Paul Illsley
Click here to download a printable version of the map (340 kB)
There is also a rather old topgraphic map of Saba that you could consult for detailed planning of your hiking trips. Click here to download the topographic map (10MB). The roads and buildings have been extended, but the hills remain the same. Enjoy.
You are cordially invited also to visit saba-trails.nl