Saba´s tropical climate affords flower dream-scapes bursting with oleander and hibiscus and an interior tropical rain forest. Hiking and diving are definitely amongst Saba´s highlights. Seven well-marked main trails and various interesting side paths provide spectacular views. The climax is of course a climb to the peak of The Mountain.

Mountain palms, huge tree ferns, wild flowers and orchids are found here. Shortly before reaching the top you will enter an enchanted forest. Tall moss-covered trees with exposed roots curling in all directions together with wisps of fog create a bizarre surreal atmosphere.

This eco system provides a home for a variety of tropical flora and fauna. All of Saba and its underwater world is protected as a nature reserve and marine park.

There are no dangerous animals or insect-borne diseases -such as malaria- on Saba Island.

Saba Trails

1) The Flat Point Trail:

Walking Time: 20 minutes, round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Description: A road just before the airport goes down to Cove Bay and Flat Point. From the old leather factory, walk out to the bluf overlooking the ocean. Follow white marks painted on the rocks. No trail.
Highlights include: Tidepools, remains of a sugar cane boiling house, views.

2) The Sulfur Mine Trail:

Walking Time: 45 minutes, round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: As you come down on the main road after the church at Hell`s Gate, make a sharp left at the second road on your left. The trail begins at the end of the road. A rough path comes up after passing a green wooden house and connects with the original trail, which heads across the hillside to another house and then steeply down. At a trail junction continue down the trail, to the left you will see an old part of Mary`s Point.

3) The Sandy Cruz Trail:

Walking Time: 1 hour, round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The trail begins above upper Hell`s Gate. Follow the road that takes off from the main road going to the airport and continue up to a rock wall with a white square painted on to it. Turn left and continue up past the houses. The trail begins on your left near the end of the road.

4) The Old Booby Hill Hike:

Walking Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes, round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: In English Quarter, take the concrete footpath to the right of the Agricultural Center. Follow the route out through more or less open country, watching for the remains of the Spring Bay Flat Boiling House along the way. Just before the final ascent to Old Booby Hill, tracks will lead to Spring Bay and right to Cove Gut Bay. It is suggested that you hire a guide before attempting these.

5) The Mount Scenery Steps:

Walking Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes, round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Note: Proper footwear is a MUST, rubber-soled tennis shoes are best as the steps are often slippery
Description: The stairway to the top of the Mt. Scenery begins near Windwardside. A shortcut is possible by arranging for a taxi to drop you off at Rendezvous, which will take 15-20 minutes off the hiking time. Highlights: Secondary Rainforest, abundant bird-life, the Elfin Forest (remnant cloud forest at top), views of the surrounding islands.

6) The Maskehorne Hill Trail:

Walking Time: 20 minutes, round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Description: Short trail can be reached by either the Crispeen Trail or the mountain road. Offers nice views of Windwardside

7) The Crispeen Trail:

Walking Time: 1 hour to Rendezvous
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The Crispeen Trail begins short after the last house in the Bottom. The trail to Rendezvous begins above the last house on the left. The trail enters a rainforest and breaks out into fields. Continue through the fields and over a forested ridge. The trail continues into pastureland and on to the junction with th Mt. Scenery Trail. Highlights: views of the Bottom and secondary rainforest.

8) The Bod`s Mountain Trail:

Walking Time: 35 minutes, round trip, not including 30 minutes on The Crispeen Trail to reach trail beginning.
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Diverging from The Crispeen Trail, this trail ascends from an open meadow and past a small farmhouse to enter a rainforest of tree ferns, mango, and balsam trees on Mt. Scenery`s western slopes. The track ends on a small knoll overlooking the southwestern portion of Saba.

9) The Bottom Mountain Trail:

Walking Time: 20 minutes, round trip, not including 30 minutes on The Crispeen Trail to reach trail beginning.
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The Bottom Mountain Trail diverges to the west from the Crispeen Trail. It passes through open, pleasant grazing land and a fern-covered forest floor to end in an overgrown field.

10) The Thais Hill Trail:

Walking Time: 25 minutes, round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: Going towards The Bottom, this easy and enjoyable walk leaves the main highway to the left of the last house in St. Johns. The obvious open country route (no trail) leads to one of the better outlooks on the whole island. With views up to Troy Mountain and down to Fort Bay, Thais Hill is a great place to be for sunset.

11) The Paris Hill Trail:

Walking Time: 50 minutes, round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Description: On the road leading to Fort Bay is the JPF Radio Station. The Paris Hill Trail begins here and works its way to a popular spot in an open pasture. Although the pathway is steep, it is surprisingly easy walking. The excellent scenery is well worth the little extra effort.

12) The Tent Bay Trail:

Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: This hike leaves the Paris Hill Trail and heads down toward Tent Bay. However, the route soon becomes tough and should be used by only those employing a guide and are ready for a physical challenge.

13) The Ladder:

Walking Time: 1 hour, round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: At the end of Ladder Bay Road in The Bottom, the more then 400 steps of The Ladder begin on the left. These steps lead down to the old anchorage. Before the harbor and pier were built at Fort Bay, all cargo (and visitors) had to be brought up these steps. Wildflowers are plentifull in the winter month, growing amid hundreds of mahogany trees and seedlings. Note: These steps are quite steep and could present a physical challenge to those not used to climbing stairs. Also, they are almost always wet and slippery.

14) The Mary`s Point Hike:

Walking Time: 1 hour, round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The Mary`s Point Hike follows a pathway leading to the now abandoned Mary`s Point settlement. Passing through a stand of mahogany trees on its way to a view of Diamond Rock, the route now sees little foot traffic, so a guide is an absolute must. Bird watchers may be interested to know that, in the past years, the track was a popular place for observing frigatebirds. A guide is recommended.

15) The Road:

Difficulty: Easy
Description: The Road should not be overlooked as an unique opportunity to walk and explore. It is only nine miles (about 15 km) long and, except in the villages, motor vehicle traffic is light. The Road is an easy hike. Even though it climbs from sea level to over 2000 feet (700 m) and then down again, it is well graded and not strenuous as long as you walk at your own pace.