Top St. John Hiking Trails for Stunning Views

• Francis Bay Trail (Easy)
• Lind Point Trail (Easy)
• Ram Head Trail (Moderate)
• L’Esperance Trail (Moderate)
• Johnny Horn Trail (Difficult)
• Reef Bay Trail (Difficult)

Stop at the Visitor Center to get a copy of The Hiker’s Guide to Virgin Islands National Park to help you decide which trail matches your comfort level, from easy family-friendly strolls on boardwalks to challenging uphill terrain and coastal cliffs. Here are a few good ones to get you started.

Francis Bay Trail

Rating: easy, accessible boardwalk

Explore Mary’s Point Estate as you hike through a tropical forest and by a salt pond on Francis Bay Trail. You’ll see a variety of birds, and maybe a deer or donkey, along the boardwalk and from two viewing platforms. There are two ways to access the trail. You can start with a steep climb from the Francis Bay Sugar Factory parking lot or opt for a less-challenging path that begins at the Francis Bay Beach end of the trail.

Lind Point Trail

Rating: easy, lower-elevation path

You’ll discover gorgeous Honeymoon Beach along the 2-mile loop of Lind Point Trail from its trail head near Virgin Islands National Park’s Visitor Center. Just follow the signs and you’ll stay on track. Along the way, stop at the scenic Lindt Point overlook, venture on a side trail to reach secluded Salomon Beach, then continue your trek with a short hike to Honeymoon Beach. Spend time relaxing there or rent equipment like snorkels or kayaks for water adventures.

Ram Head Trail

Rating: moderate

Looking for stunning views? Park at Salt Pond Bay and walk about a quarter-mile to the start of the Ram Head Trail. You’ll pass through rocky areas along the water, then the trail starts its incline. (Start your journey in the morning to hike in milder temperatures.) Keep hiking to reach your reward at the top: sweeping 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and St. John. Back at Salt Pond Bay, end the day by swimming, snorkeling and enjoying a picnic.

L’Esperance Trail

Rating: moderate

Soak up sights like the island’s single sacred baobab tree, cacti, a waterfall and the ruins of some of St. John’s earliest sugar mill estates by following the signs from Centerline Road to L’Esperance Trail. The 2.6-mile backcountry hike is often steep, rocky, slippery and uneven. Plan ahead and join a hike led by a park ranger, who will point out trail highlights while talking about the area’s history. Wear good hiking shoes, bring lots of water and enjoy cooling off afterward at Reef Bay Beach.

Johnny Horn Trail

Rating: difficult

There’s plenty to see on the couple of hours you’ll easily spend hiking the 3.1-mile Johnny Horn Trail, which begins at Waterlemon Cay. Get an early start, bring plenty of water and wear shoes that will help you navigate sometimes uneven and steep terrain. You’ll see sugar mill ruins as you traverse the trail from Leinster Bay to Coral Bay. While the views are spectacular, trail conditions are challenging, especially when seasonal growth makes it nearly impassable. At the end, refuel with a well-earned burger and beer at Skinny Legs.

Reef Bay Trail

Rating: difficult

One of the more adventurous highlights on St. John is Reef Bay Trail, a 2.2-mile trip following uneven, steep and rocky terrain that requires sturdy hiking shoes. It’s worth the effort, though, to see two forests, ruins of four Danish sugar mills, waterfalls and petroglyphs carved about 1,500 years ago by the Indigenous Taino people. Start early and bring along water and a lunch. Take a taxi to the trailhead on Centerline Road, then hike down to its end for a dip in the clear waters at Reef Bay Beach. Ranger-led hikes are also available for this trail.

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