Hiking on Saba
Hiking on Saba is a must! Many of the trails follow the "roads" by which the Saban's of yesteryear navigated their island. You'll get to see the true uniqueness of Saba's nature from the shoreline tidepools at the end of an ancient lava flow to the tranquility of the island’s “Elfin Forest” rainforest towards the summit of Mt. Scenery. It’s essential to climb to the top of the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom.
Breadfruit Trail (Difficulty: Easy)
10 Minutes one-way from the Harry L. Johnson Museum to the Trail Shop (or vice versa).
An easy and short little walk that brings you through a valley filled with
Breadfruit trees. Make sure to stop in at the Trail Shop and pay your $3.00 trail fee to the Saba Conservation Foundation, which maintains and manages Saba’s trails.
Mt. Scenery Trail (Difficulty: Strenuous)
1 ½ Hour one-way.
The most popular hike on the island, but also the most strenuous. The steps lead through the rainforest with giant Elephant ears, Tree ferns, Mountain palms, and a variety of Heliconias. No guarantee of a view at the top as it is frequently in the clouds. Two sidetracks near the top allow entry into the magical atmosphere of the cloud forest with its large Mountain Mahogany trees and hanging mosses.
Crispeen Trail (Difficulty: Moderate)
60 Minutes one-way from Mt. Scenery trailhead to The Bottom (or vice versa; can also be accessed from St. John’s or Ecolodge Rendez-Vous).
The path leads through the rainforest, agricultural land at Rendez-Vous, and dry forest, joining the main road just above The Bottom, Saba’s capital. Part of the trail is the historic step “road” that formerly connected the villages.
Bottom Mountain Trail (Difficulty: Difficult)
60 Minutes one-way from Mt. Scenery trailhead to The Bottom (or vice versa; can also be accessed from St. John’s or Ecolodge Rendez-Vous).
Hike through lush rainforest and a few farm plots, with excellent views of the villages of St. John’s and The Bottom, and of the ocean. The second half of the trail goes down steeply towards Queen’s Gardens Resort, where it’s just a short walk to
reach The Bottom.
Bud’s Mountain Trail (Difficulty: Moderate)
30 Minutes one-way from the Bottom Mountain Trail.
A pleasant walk and is similar to the Bottom Mountain Trail, but at a higher elevation. It branches off the Bottom Mountain Trail not far from Rendez-Vous, passes through a farm plot in the middle of the rainforest with abundant Tree ferns, and connects to the Mount Scenery Trail.
Mas’ Cohone’s (Maskehorne) Hill Trail (Difficulty: Moderate)
20 Minutes one-way from Mt. Scenery trailhead.
This is a short hike through typical rainforest vegetation with a great view of the village of Windwardside. An excellent substitute for those who don’t want to negotiate the 1,064 steps to the top but still enjoy a good view.
Sandy Cruz Trail (Difficulty: Difficult)
2½ Hours one-way from the Upper Hell’s Gate trailhead to Troy Hill.
This hike offers the greatest variety of island landscapes and vegetation. It leads through lush rainforest, steep ravines, small farm plots, and towards the Troy Hill end through a well-developed dry forest. It offers spectacular views of Torrens
Point, Diamond Rock, the North Coast, and the airport. At Troy Hill hikers can connect with the Bottom Hill Trail to Rendez-Vous and Windwardside (add 45- 60 minutes).
National Park Trails (Difficulty: Difficult)
2½ Hours one-way from Upper Hell‘s Gate to Lower Hell’s Gate trailhead.
This hike follows the first part of the Sandy Cruz trail, connects with the All Too Far Trail and The North Coast Trail, and then down to the Sulphur Mine. Over a 2-hour time span, hikers will experience the transition from rainforest to dry forest to dry scrub vegetation. It offers spectacular ocean views and abundant seabirds near the Sulphur Mine. It is not currently recommended to explore the old mine itself. The North Coast Trail portion requires a guide.
North Coast Trail (Difficulty: Strenuous)
4 Hours one-way from Lower Hell’s Gate to Wells Bay.
Note: Guided Tour ONLY at $60 for 3 persons.
Spectacular ocean vistas, steep ravines, dry forest and rainforest, and ruins of the abandoned village of Mary’s Point. This trail requires a guide, as the path is not always visible and edges close to steep ravines and cliffs. Do Not Undertake Without A Guide!
Spring Bay Trail (Difficulty: Moderate)
2½ Hours one-way.
A hike through dry forest and scrub vegetation with great ocean views. Mostly goat territory, but iguanas are also seen here and abundant seabirds around Old Booby Hill. You’ll find the ruins of an old sugarcane boiling house at Spring Bay, among other historical remains. The Saba Archaeological Foundation asks that any artifacts found be reported but not disturbed.
Hiking & Diving Warnings
Mt. Scenery provides a beautiful view of the island and the surrounding Caribbean Sea. Schedule your trip up Mt. Scenery in the morning before your dive, NOT in the afternoon after diving. The top of the mountain has an altitude of almost 3000 feet above sea level and is a strenuous hike. Both altitude and activity are potential factors in bringing on decompression sickness after diving. If you are a diver, please consider climbing Mt. Scenery only if your dive tables or dive computer say that it is okay for you to fly.