Hiking

Premium IV St. Barts

Provided that you choose heavy-sole shoes, wear a hat and sun-screen and take a bottle of water, hiking is a good way to discover St. Barts. The most famous path will take you from Petite Anse to the stunning bay of Colombier in fifteen minutes walk. That beach can only be access by sea otherwise. But you can also climb up to the top of the island, Mount Vitet, 286 meters high, or you can tour the Toiny Point... Vegetation on various windward places grows like bonzaïs, tough tiny trees leaning away from many years of strong gusts of wind. The dry forest shelters botanical treasures, orchids, rare cactuses, beds of white lilies... But you shoud be aware that all the lands being private, you can sometimes be kindly asked to walk back on your steps by owners not willing to see their properties trespassed.

The best hike on the island is from Grand Fond to Morne Rouge, where you find yourselves on the cliff next to Grande Saline. The walk is not strenuous, but sometimes on a steep slope with crashing waves and rock below. At places, the path is caved into the ocean below, and you have to make a new path through the cactus. This walk is best begun two to three hours before sunset when the views of Grand Fond and Pointe de Toiny are at their best. It takes just under an hour one way, but go slowly to take in the scenery and take pictures. The path ends at a long point sticking out into the Caribbean Ocean. Walked out onto the point and marveled at how the water had carved the rocks. Even though you are perhaps 50 feet above the ocean, the salt spray from the waves will mist your face. It is impressive to find this wildness on the most civilized of the islands in the French West Indie

The Tourist bureau has a small document showing some hiking itineraries.