Caneel Hill Trail: A Mountaintop Experience
Hiking one of St. John’s pristine mountains is the perfect way to connect with the sights and sounds of nature while benefiting from physical activity that doesn’t feel like “exercise.” The Caneel Hill Trail presents a challenging incline of 719 feet in less than one mile, but the killer view is worth the climb!
The 2.4-mile trail, maintained by the National Park Service, begins about 20 yards past Mongoose Junction. Several intersections along the trail allow you to modify your route beginning with the intersection of the Caneel Hill Spur Trail about a third of the way in, which cuts across the North Shore Road and intersects with the Lind Point Trail. Or go for the gold and continue to the summit on top of Margaret Hill. You’ll be ready for a breather by the time you reach a wooden bench, if you haven’t already stopped to marvel at the stunning views of the North Shore.
From there, it’s just another 100 feet to a platform lookout tower with a panoramic view of the British Virgin Islands, and on a clear day, St. Croix! Continue a half mile east along the mountain ridge to the Margaret Hill Overlook. Climb up on the big, flat rock for one of the finest photo ops on the island. The last leg is a 840-foot downhill trek to Caneel Bay.
This trail connects Cruz Bay to North Shore Road so if you aren’t feeling like an overachiever, take the trail in reverse beginning just outside Caneel Bay Resort. From this direction, it’s also easier to recognize another spur off the main trail called the Water Catchment Trail, the site of an old stone retaining wall and reservoir that catches rainwater from the valley.
Soak up the serene natural beauty of the island and free your mind from mindless chatter. See if you can spot the guavaberry and genip trees, colorful bromeliads and wild pineapple plants. Don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty of water. Grab a trail map at the National Park Service Welcome Center or just follow the signs. Your mind and body will thank you.
