The 10 Best Hiking Trails in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

May 30, 2021 Etsuko Causey

Ecotourism is alive and kicking on St. John. There's more than enough to do on land, from watching for wildlife in the national park to hiking miles of trails or strolling sandy white beaches. Hit the water for amazing snorkeling, swimming, even underwater photography—of course. This is the Caribbean, after all.
Restaurants in St. John

1. Ram Head Trail

St John, US Virgin Islands, 00830 St. John
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 327 reviews

Ram Head Trail

Reviewed By leighi2019 - Greenville, United States

Awesome Hike with Awesome Views! I recommend tennis shoes or hiking boots. Best for early morning or late afternoon as it gets hot-amazing views. Landscape dotted with cactus along the way. Our favorite hike while in St John! Hit the Salt Pond beach afterwards! Others have provided information on where to park and how to get to the hike. Very cool to cross over the Blue Cobblestone Beach on the way up!

2. Caneel Hill Trail

St. John
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

Caneel Hill Trail

3. Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail

Virgin Islands National Park St. John
Excellent
52%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail

Take a stroll along the self-guided Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail, which leads you through plantation ruins, tropical landscapes and scenic views of the Caribbean Sea.

Reviewed By MareO

There are many ways to experience the Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail. You can do the short, easy, interesting walk around the sugar plantation ruins, or you can hike up to the top of the 1.8 fairly steep trail and/or take the American Hill Trail off of the Cinnamon Bay Trail to the ruins of an old guest house with an interesting history and a fantastic view. This was my favorite part and I highly recommend the American Hill Trail. If you are looking for a longer, more challenging hike, some of my friends went up the even steeper Maria Hope Trail, connected via the road and hiked down the Cinnamon Bay Trail.

4. Reef Bay Trail

Rte. 10, Virgin Islands National Park St. John +1 340-776-6201 http://www.nps.gov/archive/viis/VIIS/page8.html
Excellent
71%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 449 reviews

Reef Bay Trail

This 2.2-mile hiking trail is one of the best on St. John: descend through a shady, moist forest and a dry forest, through visible remains of four sugar mills, pass by pre-Columbian petroglyphs, and end at a beautiful, pristine beach.

Reviewed By 789jennien

The length of this trail may seem like child's play and it may still seem that way as it is downhill most of the way...until your return hike back. We are relatively in good shape, but the hike back up the mountain is a doozy. However, it is so so so worth it. Little waterfalls, big trees, hermit crabs, and secret beaches make you feel like you're alone on the island. We had an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone that isn't afraid to break a sweat!

5. L’Esperance Trail

Centerline Road, 00830 St. John http://newsofstjohn.com/2015/08/19/a-magical-discovery
Excellent
73%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

L’Esperance Trail

6. Brown Bay Trail

East End Road St. John
Excellent
64%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Brown Bay Trail

7. Francis Bay Trail

Virgin Islands National Park St. John
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Francis Bay Trail

This nature trail is a good place for birdwatching.

Reviewed By Elephanteric - Fort Myers, United States

If you take the boardwalk instead of going directly to the beach from the parking lot or walk nearly all the way down the beach, you will come to a shaded picnic bench that is almost never occupied. When I was there with my family, we could see large, green turtles poking their heads above the water. We also snorkeled with them. This area is very secluded and is very beautiful. There are definitely bugs, so bring repellent. If you hike the full trail, you will also get to the bench. This area is great and genuinely my favorite beach on St. John and I loved seeing turtles, frigatebirds, and pelicans. Highly recommended.

8. Drunk Bay Trail

Coral Bay 00830 St. John
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Drunk Bay Trail

Reviewed By lawjen99 - West Haven, United States

During your trip to Salt Pond Bay, take the walking trail over to Drunk Bay and enjoy both the stunning view and the rock and coral art work that folks before you created. Have fun seeing what people have designed and then collect some coral to make your own creation to leave for others to see. Have fun!

9. Lind Point Trail

Virgin Islands National Park,, Cruz Bay 00830 St. John http://www.nps.gov/viis
Excellent
62%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 73 reviews

Lind Point Trail

Reviewed By JudyK288 - Boston, United States

Starts at the National Park Building (bathrooms and cold water for free, sunscreen and shirt for sale, maps also available). Free parking if you get there early and get one of the passes from the rangers. The trail splits into an upper (harder with better views) or lower (more moderate and direct) spurs. The hike to Honeymoon is about 1.25 miles taking 30-40 minutes and is moderate. Solomon is about 10 minutes less. There are no services at Solomon but Honeymoon has bathrooms, waterspouts/chair rentals, gift shop, drinks (with and without alcohol) and food available. Solomon is more secluded. There are a few nice views along the trail (more with the upper spur) but it is mostly in the wooded area. It is a dirt path with lots of rocks.

10. Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail

Virgin Islands National Park 00830 St. John https://www.nps.gov/viis/index.htm
Excellent
31%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
9%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 160 reviews

Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail

The world's first marked underwater trail located near the shoreline, making it one of the best snorkeling spots in the Caribbean.

Reviewed By carolynl172 - Scottsdale, United States

We were one of the first to arrive here in the morning and brought our dingy onto the beach. We had the beach to ourselves and had a nice snorkel in the park. Was here in 1995 and there seem to be more fish then. Several people said the coral has been damaged by the hurricane, which is too bad. They have a nice bar and public showers and restrooms. There is also a snack bar that served yummy chicken salad wraps and hot dogs.

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