Leonard Adkins - The Virgin Islands: A Walking & Hiking Guide

The Virgin Islands: A Walking & Hiking Guide

Leonard M. Adkins

Hunter Publishing, Inc. 1

www.hunterpublishing.com

comments@hunterpublishing.com

This unique guidebook covers every aspect of exploring these islands on foot. And conditions have never been better for Caribbean-bound walkers and hikers. The tiny island of Saba has rebuilt the hand-carved step-trails that were once the only link between the islands four villages. Dominica has upgraded a network of trails through rugged mountains into areas with active volcanoes and cascading waterfalls. Excursions range from one-hour town and beach walks to strenuous hikes that require the services of a local guide. So, whether you prefer to take in the historical sites, marketplaces and Dutch buildings in Philipsburg or would rather work up a sweat on the Victor Hugues Trail (8 hours, one way) on Guadeloupe, youll find something to suit your tastes.

Amblers, hikers, beachcombers, power walkers, and anyone who likes to experience the Caribbean with their feet: this books for you. Caribbean Travel & Life

Writing as though he is offering advice to old friends, Adkins has unveiled the splendors of foot exploration on the islands. Backpacker magazine

HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC,

www.hunterpublishing.com

1220 Nicholson Road, Newmarket, Ontario

Canada L3Y 7V1

800-399-6858; Fax 800-363-2665

The Boundary, Wheatley Road, Garsington

Oxford, OX44 9EJ England

01865-361122; Fax 01865-361133

2010 Leonard M. Adkins

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim any responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result in negligence, accident or any other cause.

Acknowledgments

I used to wonder why authors needed to thank so many people. Now I know. To the following go my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation for their invaluable assistance and for the sharing of their knowledge.

On St. Croix Nancy Buckingham, St. Croix Environmental Association; William Cissel, National Park Service; K. Olasee, I. Davis and Rudy G. OReilly, Jr., University of the Virgin Islands; Susan Ivy, Colony Cove; Kathy Weaver, Barker, Campbell & Farley; Liz Wilson; Bill and Betsy Gladfelter. On St. Thomas Julie Lentz, Secret Harborview Villas; Lyla Naseem, Laura Davidson Public Relations; Monica Leedy, Barker, Campbell & Farley. On St. John C. Weiker and D. Near, National Park Service; R. Miles Stair, Holiday Homes. In the British Virgin Islands Keith Dawson, Tourist Board; Janine Cifelli, Resorts Management, Inc.; Eugenia Martac, Elizabeth Beach Resort; Kathryn van Kampen, BVI Press Office; Simon Owens, Paradise Beach Resort; Helen Bayne, Biras Creek; John Moorly and Katherine Dickens, Guana Island; Nicolas Drayton and Veronica Champion, National Parks Trust. On Sint Maarten/St. Martin Myron Clement, Clement-Petrocik; Bernadette Davis and Silvianne Hill, Tourist Office; Eric Dubois Millot, Action Nature. On Anguilla Bob Conrich; Pam Berry, Carimar Beach Club; Elizabeth Mason and Amelia Vanterpool-Kubish, Tourist Office. On St. Barts Ellise Magras and Marielle Greaux, Tourist Office; Hotel Yuana. On Saba Glenn C. Holm, Saba Tourist Bureau; James Johnson, Saba Nature Guide; Ton vant Hof, Saba Conservation Foundation; Captains Quarters. On Statia Roland Lopes, Dept. of Tourism, Raphael Charley Lopes, Statia Nature Guide; Golden Era Hotel. On St. Kitts Timothy Benford; Greg Pereira, Gregs Safaris; Ocean Terrace Inn. On Nevis Pam Berry, Golden Rock Estate; David Rollinson, Eco-Tours Nevis. On Antigua Ann Marie Martin, National Parks; Chris Lafaurie, Long Bay Beach Hotel; Matt Seminar, Trombone Associates; Desmond Nicholson, Museum of Antigua & Barbuda. On Guadeloupe G. Claude Germaine, Tourist Office; Touring Hotel Club de Fort Royal; Wilfred Demonio, National Park. On Dominica Janice Armour, Dominica Tours and Anchorage Hotel; Kens Hinterland Adventure Tours and Taxi Service; Floral Gardens; Marie Jose-Edwards and Magdeline Jervier, National Development Corporation. On Martinique The staff of the Tourist Office; La Bakoua; Michael Tanasi, National Forest Office; Primereve. Others who deserve a big thank you are: Ann Mesick for resource materials. Barbara Schober without her the French island chapters would never have been completed. Denny Messick skipper of Rebel Ann II . Dr. Stephen Lewis and Caroline Charonko thank you for giving me a new lease on life. To my wife Laurie thanks for doing all of the daily hum-drum of life that I neglected while writing the book.

Read What Other Folks Say About This Book:

Offers what no other guide provides information on enjoying the Caribbean exclusively on foot. Keep this if you already own it; otherwise, try to purchase it from a used book dealer. Library Journal .

... Fast becoming a popular handbook for all manner of visitors to the Caribbean Islands. Roanoke Times

1. Introduction
   1. The Lay of the Land
   2. How To Use This Book
   3. The Data Sections
      1. Interpreting the Terms Used
   4. Precautions
2. The United States Virgin Islands
   1. History
   2. Data
   3. Saint Croix
      1. 1. A Walking Tour of Christiansted
      2. 2. The Buck Island Walk
      3. 3. The Cramer Park - Point Udall - Isaac Bay Walk
      4. 4. The Goat Hills to Jack Bay Hike
      5. 5. The South Side Beaches Walk
      6. 6. The Botanical Garden Walk
      7. 7. The Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge Walk
      8. 8. A Walking Tour of Frederiksted
      9. 9. The Rain Forest Hike
      10. 10. The Hams Bay and Bluff Hike
      11. 11. The Scenic Road West Hike
      12. 12. The Scenic Road Central Hike
      13. 13. The Salt River Bay Walk
      14. 14. Walks on Resort and Hotel Grounds
   4. Saint Thomas
      1. 1. A Walking Tour of Charlotte Amalie
      2. 2. The Hassel Island Walk
      3. 3. The Botanical Gardens Walk
      4. 4. The Magens Bay Beach Walk
      5. 5. Beach Walks
      6. 6. The Benner Bay Salt Pond at Compass Point Walk
      7. 7. Walks on Resort and Hotel Grounds
   5. Saint John
      1. 1. The Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail
      2. 2. The Cinnamon Bay Trail
      3. 3. The Francis Bay Trail
      4. 4. The Annaberg School Walk
      5. 5. The Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins Walk
      6. 6. The Leinster Bay Road Walk
      7. 7. The Johnny Horn Trail
      8. 8. The Brown Bay Trail
      9. 9. The Salt Pond Bay Trail
      10. 10. The Drunk Bay Trail
      11. 11. The Ram Head Trail
      12. 12. The Yawzi Point Trail
      13. 13. The Bordeaux Mountain Trail
      14. 14. The Lameshur Bay Trail
      15. 15. The Europa Bay Trail
      16. 16. The Reef Bay Trail
      17. 17. The Petroglyph Trail
      18. 18. The Bordeaux Mountain Road Walk
      19. 20. The Caneel Hill Trail
      20. 21. The Caneel Hill Spur Trail
      21. 22. The Water Catchment Trail
      22. 23. The Caneel Bay Plantation Grounds Walk
      23. 24. The Peace Hill Walk
3. The British Virgin Islands
   1. History
   2. Data
   3. Recommended Readings
   4. Tortola
      1. 1. The Sage Mountain National Park Trails
      2. 2. The Brewers Bay Beach Walk
      3. 3. The Windmill Ruin at Mount Healthy National Park Walk