Unique Places in St. John

Much of the content below is from VInow

Leinster Bay Trail/Road
(Distance 0.8 mile, Approximate Time: 30 minutes)
The trail follows the old Danish Road eastward along the shore from the Annaberg picnic area to Waterlemon Bay. This is a good place to swim. Snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay is very good.

Johnny Horn Trail
(Distance: 1.8 miles, Approximate Time 2 hours)
This trail begins at Waterlemon Bay and crosses the ridges southward to the paved road at Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay. The trail passes through sunny, dry forest.

Brown Bay Trail
(Distance: 1.6 miles, Approximate Time: 2 hours)
The National Park cautions that this trail is NOT maintained! The trail begins from the ridge 0.7 miles out of Johnny Horn trail from Waterlemon Bay. The trail branches to the east and descends through a dry thorn shrub area and into a valley. The trail borders Brown Bay for a short distance and then ascends over a ridge which overlooks Hurricane Hole. The trail ends at the East End Road just a little over a mile passed the Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay.

Reef Bay Trail
(Distance: 2.2 miles, Approximate Time: 2 hour)
This trail begins on Centerline Road. The trail descends 937 feet through a shady forest. There is a variety of plant life to be seen while hiking. The visible remains of four sugar estates and a more recent farming community are found along the trail. The trail ends at the Reef Bay Plantation ruins near Genti Bay. Guided Hikes are available with a National Park ranger.

Petroglyph Trail
(Distance: 0.2 miles, Approximate Time: 15 minutes)
This trail starts 1.5 miles down the Reef Bay trail. Mysterious rock carvings are located at the end of the trail. In rainy season a small waterfall and stream run through the rocks; in dry season the stream becomes small brackish pools.

Lameshur Bay Trail
(Distance: 1.5 miles, Approximate Time: 1 hour 15 minutes)
This trail connects Lameshur Bay with Reef Bay trail. The hiking is through dry, open forest. 1.2 miles from the Reef Bay junction a spur trail leads 0.3 miles to a salt pond and coral rubble beach at Europa Beach.

Yawzi Point Trail
(Distance: 0.3 mile, Approximate Time: 20 minutes)
This trail leads from Little Lameshur Bay Road through thorny vegetation to isolated coves.

Bordeaux Mountain Trail
(Distance: 1.2 mile, Approximate Time: 1 hour 30 minutes)
This is a steep, open to the sun trail. It connects the shady Bordeaux Mountain Road with Lameshur Bay 1,000 feet below. Bordeaux Mountain is the highest point on St. John at 1,277 feet.

Salt Pond Bay Trail
(Distance 0.2 mile, Approximate Time: 15 minutes)
This trail begins at the parking area 3.9 miles south of Coral Bay. The trail leads down to Salt Pond Beach through cactus and scrubland. There is good snorkeling and swimming at this beach. This area is usually particularly hot and sunny.

Drunk Bay Trail
(Distance: 0.3 miles, Approximate Time 20 minutes)
This trail begins at the south end of Salt Pond Bay Beach and turns to the east along the north side of the salt pond. In the past salt from the pond was harvested, some residents still collect salt during the summer months for personal uses. The windy conditions and salt have stunted the growth of many plants in the area therefore along the trail you will pass many short shrubs. Drunk Bay is a rocky bay and is not safe for swimming. Figures made of the coral rocks on the beach are often left by visitors. A deer and man can be made out in the picture shown.

Ram Head Trail
(Distance: 1.0 miles, Approximate Time: 1 hours)
This trail begins at the south end of Salt Pond Bay Beach. This rocky trail leads to a blue cobble beach and then leads back up the hillside to an overlook 200 feet above the Caribbean Sea. Use caution when walking near the edge of cliffs.

Because 2/3 of StJ is National Park, you can find trails of all difficulties. Here is the best map I have found of StJ. It can be found at Trailbandit

Much of the tips below are from VInow
Hiking tips:
-Use a map to plan your hike.
-Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Avoid hiking or swimming alone.
Allow for sufficient time to explore, swim and rest.
-Remain on park trails - some trails cross private property, do not trespass into private property.
-Wear cool clothing, comfortable walking shoes. Sandals are not recommended. Sneakers are your best option.
-Protect yourself against the sun and insects.
-Bring water and snacks.
-Do not leave items or garbage on the trails. Make sure you leave with all the items you brought with you.
-Do not remove anything from the park property; this includes but is not limited to shells, rocks, artifacts, flowers, plants and animals.
-Pace yourself to prevent fatigue. Watch footing on wet rocks and trails made rough and slippery at times by heavy rainfall.
-Do not eat unknown fruits, nuts or berries. Some plants and fruits are poisonous and can cause allergic reactions. Do not touch unfamiliar plants. Avoid handling or picking plant life that may harbor stinging insects, cause rashes, scratches or skin punctures. Many plants have thorns beware, look but don't touch. Some ground covering scrubs cause severe itching - it is in your best interest to stay on trails.
-Do not climb on fragile historic structures. Leave artifacts in place.
-Hike early and return early.
-Carry and drink plenty of water. There is no safe drinking water along the trails. You can easily get dehydrated from the heat and from the exercise of hiking.
-Protect your skin and eyes from the sun. Use sunscreen, wear a hat, a shirt and UV protected sunglasses. The sunlight is most damaging between 10am and 2pm. Sun burns and sun poisoning are dangerous and painful.
-Don't leave valuable items exposed in your car or on the beach. Theft is not a big problem, but do not tempt potential thieves by leaving valuables in the open.
-Large, shore breaking waves are dangerous. Do not venture into the open ocean along coastlines. Use caution when entering and leaving the water when the surf is high.
-Do not feed or harass the wildlife.

You can also find maps and trail descriptions at the National Park website and Visitor center in Cruz Bay.
Virgin Islands National Park
1300 Cruz Bay Creek
St. John, VI 00830
(340) 776-6201 ext. 238
http://www.nps.gov/viis

Take a ride up to Peace Hill right ouside of the main town of St. John. On top of Peace Hill is an abandoned sugar mill and a private hidden path down to Dennis Beach. This path is overgrown and winds down steeply through brush and trees. But once you get to Dennis Beach, paradise has been reached. The sand is perfect white and the water crystal blue. No one is on the beach so you can have it to yourself. Although, wierd things have happend on this beach and sometimes you are not alone.....

Soloman Beach is not talked about much. Trail from behind Park visitor center, mostly level trail but very rocky. Has turn to left downwards for beach. (little over one mile hike) Park occationally gets hair up butt about nudity so be careful. If you see others start striping, then go for it. During the winter of 2003-04, never saw any rangers.

Bring water since none at beach.

The reference was made to Solomon , but I have always known the area as Trunk Bay. Depending on who is 'on duty" as far as the rangers and all will depend on how far down the beach you need to go. Topless sunbathing has been allowed farily close to the visitors center from time to time; but normally you need to go to the left of the center towards a rocky area at the far left end of the beach, the closer you are to this area determines exactly how much you have to wear. If you go on the other side of the rocks, there is generally no problem being nude. Alot of sail boats occasionally will drop anchor in this area as well as the people on the boats can remain nude or come into the beach. My wife and I have used this area since 1982 without any problems...after all the park service and US govt does not have a law restricting nude sunbathing on govt owned or run property...hope others find the area and enjoy the sun as well...

Just like the little fellow , or girl ??, hiking trails are on the Island , the website of hiking trails is posted below.
It is not advisible to do it like our little friend,but he or she did a good job staying on the side of the road.

The Tourist Trap is a great place to stop for a bite. Larry is a great chef and the people that stop by are local and friendly- The lobstah rolls are to die for!