Hiking & Walking Trails in the British Virgin islands

HIKING AND WALKING TRAILS AROUND THE ISLANDS

On your luxury yacht charter, you will be spoiled by the crew with all kinds of water sports and other onboard activities. However, you may feel the need just to stretch your legs and go for a nice long walk. Enjoy a stroll on a pristine beach or a scenic hike to the top of an island for a better view of your yacht down below in the crystal-clear waters of
 the Caribbean.

We have created a few suggested walks/hikes which we like and know you will
 enjoy too. Many of the trails are clearly marked and others are a bit more off
 the beaten track. Some are easy and others are a little bit more demanding. Always
 carry some water and sunscreen on your shore excursions to stay hydrated and
 protected from the sun’s rays.

On some islands, you may end up at a bar and stay awhile to enjoy the local food and
specialty drinks. The Sage Mountain hike is on the YouTube video.

On some trails, you may come across some of the indigenous fauna and flora. There is nothing to fear as most animals will shy away from you and there are no poisonous snakes in the BVI. There is one tree to avoid, which is the Manchineel tree which is not commonly found on trails.

Norman Island

There is one scenic trail that runs along the ridge of Norman island with short trails that lead off to a few bays. The views looking back at the anchorage from the helicopter pad are awesome and you will be able to see most of the island from there.

From the dock in front of Pirates Bight beach bar in The Bight (the main anchorage) walk behind the restaurant toward the hill on an unpaved road until it ends, only then turn right to follow the road up to the top. Here you can either turn left toward Benures and Money bay or you could turn right toward Spyglass hill and Bluff bay. Depending on how quickly you want to return to the bar and your boat, you can spend about a half-hour walking in each direction. This is not really a good running trail.
Note: Flip-flops are fine if you are just going for a walkabout.

Peter Island

There are a few very easy walk/run roads on Peter island. The island has a very popular resort located near the marina. A paved and unpaved road leads you from the marina all the way across the island for 2.5 miles to a very pretty lookout with Adirondack chairs and a water station. Video of the lookout.

From the marina in Sprat Bay: Just follow the paved road uphill and continue straight uphill to the top of the island. There is a water station with a shaded bench almost at the top. Here you can stop and enjoy the views or continue to the end of the island which ends with a loop road near the wind turbines. There are also unpaved roads that lead to White Bay at the top and Reef bay from the end of Deadman’s bay.

From Little Deadman’s bay: Your crew can drop you off at the beach and then walk/run from there either toward the resort or up the hill from the Spa at Reef Bay. Video of the view.

From White Bay beach: After spending time on this beautiful beach, walk up the hill and do the loop at the wind turbines. Short and scenic. Stop at the lookout with the chairs and drinking water.
Note: Running shoes are advised for comfort if you are going to do a longer walk or run otherwise flip flops or sandals are fine for walking.

 

Salt Island

There really isn’t a road or trail on Salt Island, but it is fun to explore ashore and hike up to the top of the hill on the right-hand side of the bay. From here you can overlook the Sir Francis Drake channel and look back at the salt ponds on the island.

From the dock, walk toward the few structures on the island, and behind the buildings, you will find tracks that will lead you to the salt pond then from there hike up toward the hill on the right on a rocky path where you will find a light mounted serving as a lighthouse.
Note: Flip-flops are fine unless you feel more comfortable in sneakers.

Virgin Gorda

The island of Virgin Gorda, which is the second-largest island of the BVI has much to offer. Paved roads are spanning the entire island which is great for a taxi tour on an open-air safari bus.

Some trails can be reached after a drop-off by your crew or after taking a short ride by rental car or taxi to where the trailhead starts. Here are a few favorites:

Devil’s Bay trail – This easy trail starts at The Baths, a popular beach destination set in a national park with ancient natural rock formations. The trail is short and takes you through the boulders from the beach at the bottom of a short walk from the top of the parking area to Devil’s Bay further to the South. You can either swim in from a dinghy tie-up just off the beach or take a short taxi ride from the marina to the parking area. The trail also leads to a large seawater pool under the giant rocks with light shining in from the top. There are rope lines to guide you in certain areas and also wooden steps with platforms to cross over some of the rocks. There are areas in which you will have to walk through shallow water and explore the caves. Jump into the ocean from some of the higher rocks if you dare and swim around with a mask and snorkel to see some of these large rocks underwater.
Note: Water shoes are advised, but not necessary if you can walk barefoot.

Gorda Peak – This moderate/easy trail is accessible from the top of the highest peak from the road and will require transport to get there. There are 2 trails of which one is short (about 800ft) and the other climbs steadily to the peak where a treehouse platform awaits you for 360° spectacular views of most of the surrounding islands. The trail starts well-groomed but steep and then evens out with more of a footpath to the top. This trail takes about 25 min one way. The views are rewarding and worth the effort.
Note: Comfortable hiking shoes are suggested but not required.

Leverick Bay – Here is an opportunity to walk/run up a fairly steep paved road for as far as you like. The higher you go the better the view. This road will also take you to Hog Heaven – a bar/restaurant on the side of the road with great food and views of Mosquito Island, Necker Island, Prickly Pear, and Eustatia Island as well as the famous Bitter End Yacht Club.
Note: This is more of a steep walk/run up a road than a casual stroll. For those just looking for a quick look and stop at the top, an open-air taxi is suggested.

Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) – This famous yacht club offers casual walks along beautiful pathways and also has a path that will take you to Biras Creek Resort not far away via a mangrove trail. From the dinghy dock, just follow the stone path to the right until you get to the mangroves and reach the unpaved road where you can either turn left to go all the way to the beach. If you turn right and explore more of this resort where another trail leads you to the top of the hill on the right.
Note: Comfortable running/hiking shoes are suggested, but flip-flops are fine for a gentle stroll without hiking up the mountain.

Guy’s Trail – From the BEYC dinghy dock, turn left and follow the road until you reach the maintenance area where there should be a small sign pointing you to Guy’s trail. Follow up a short steep road and then turn left onto the path once you get to a landing. This is fairly steep until you get to the top, but the views of Saba Rock and Eustatia Sound are worth it. Once you reach the top, you can merely return to where you started (30 min) or at the split, turn left and continue down to the Biras Creek Beach and return to the BEYC via a road and path (see BEYC trail info above) or you can turn right and continue along a ridge and wind down to Biras Creek Resort gardens and return to BEYC from there. (see BEYC trial info above).
Note: Comfortable running/hiking shoes are suggested, take water and allow about 50 minutes for the longer version of the trail.

Anegada

This amazing island is flat and has the third-largest coral reef in the world. Anegada is essentially a coral atoll and the highest point on the island is about as high as the tallest palm tree. This makes this island great for running or walking along the unpaved roads that run for miles each way to the end of the island. Once you get off at the dingy dock at Anegada Reef Hotel, just walk to the roundabout and decide which way you want to run. Nothing is near so if you want to go to Loblolly beach or Cow Wreck Beach for a long stroll on soft sandy beaches and maybe some snorkeling, an open-air taxi is suggested.
Note: Comfortable running shoes for running or just flip flops/sandals for the beach and look out for skinny cows (harmless).

Jost Van Dyke

This island offers hikers and runners an opportunity to stretch their legs and enjoy a few easy hikes and also take scenic taxi tours. Roads span around most of the island and each beach can lead you to a road or hike.

The Bubbly Pool hike – This easy short hike takes you to a natural pool where the ocean washes into a narrow gap and creates a natural jacuzzi. From the dock, turn right by the bar and walk along the shoreline enjoying the views of the mangroves and breaking surf in the distance. Once you reach the end of the path through the mangroves the trail will continue up a rocky path and leads you to the natural bubbly pool where you can swim with the waves breaking over you in a shallow pool.
Note: Flip-flops sandals are fine and take a towel and dry clothes if you do not want to walk back to the bar with wet clothes.

This is NOT a safe swimming area when the seas are huge and people should be advised not to climb onto the rocks surrounding the pool as they may get washed off the rocks into the ocean or between rocks. Check with your crew if they think the conditions are safe.

Soggy Dollar Bar to Great Harbour road – If you feel like a nice long walk or run to the next bay over from White Bay, there is a paved road that will lead you to Great Harbor where there are a few shops and also the famous Foxy’s Bar. Just walk behind the Soggy Dollar bar from the beach and find the road and turn right.
Note: Comfortable running/hiking shoes are suggested, but flip-flops are fine for a gentle stroll.

Guana Island

There is one hike available to the public and the best way to get there is to get off on a very small dock by dinghy on the far North side of the island in Muskmelon bay. Once ashore hike up a steep flight of cement stairs and turn left at the top to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. If you want to go further, just go back to the trail and follow the ridge along the top until you get to a rocky beach back at Muskmellon bay.
Note: At sunset, the bugs may be pesky, so spray with anti-mosquito spray. Flip flops are fine or just wear sneakers if you want to go further than the viewpoint.