Last Updated on March 12, 2025
Smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John’s unspoiled beauty offers a true taste of paradise in an ecological wonder destination. By far, it’s the best of the islands for hiking.
Spellbound and moved by the island chain’s incredible beauty, Laurance Rockefeller, venture capitalist, financier, philanthropist, and conservationist, donated 60% of St. John to the United States’ National Park Service. In 1962, Congress expanded the boundary of Virgin Islands National Park to include 5,650 acres of submerged lands to protect and preserve its stunning coral gardens, seascapes and sleepy lagoons.
My favorite of the three islands, St. John, is known for its incredible hiking opportunities with more than 20 trails crisscrossing the island and Virgin Islands National Park, where you’ll explore forests, beaches, estate ruins and more.
The Hiker’s Guide to Virgin Islands National Park is available at the Visitors Center to help you decide which trail matches your comfort level, from easy family-friendly strolls to challenging uphill terrain and coastal cliffs.
Visit USVI also includes a list of hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts. Since our family loves to hike, I can highly vouch for these recommendations and added some of our own.
Francis Bay Trail
Rating: easy, accessible boardwalk
This gentle hike near Mary Point is perfect for beginning hikers or families with children. The 0.7-mile loop takes hikers to the Francis Sugar Factory Ruins, then through a tropical mangrove forest, concluding at a boardwalk with salt pond views.
The trail is ideal for birding, walking and hiking. Keep your eyes open for the yellow-breasted Bananaquit, the official bird of the Virgin Islands. Treat your family to a plunge at St. Francis Beach after the hike with its white sand, clear waters and excellent snorkeling.
Lindt Point Trail
Rating: easy, lower-elevation path
Welcome to your gateway to two of the island’s most serene and stunning beaches: Honeymoon Beach and Salomon Beach. The two-mile loop of Lindt Point Trail starts at the Virgin Islands National Park’s Visitor Center.
Along the way, be sure to stop at the scenic Lindt Point overlook, venture on a side trail to reach secluded Salomon Beach, then continue your trek with a short hike to Honeymoon Beach. Spend some time relaxing at this uncrowded beach. If you don’t have your own, snorkeling equipment and kayaks are available to rent.
Cinnamon Bay
Rating: moderate
This 1.9 mile out-and-back trail near Leinster Bay surrounded by bay rum trees and historic sugar mill ruins is an amazing and popular hike. The route offers a shaded loop that includes information on the island’s once booming sugar factories and offers a steady incline with some steep and rocky spots.
A stunning overlook rewards hikers with sweeping views of the Virgin Islands National Park. After the hike, reward your efforts with a visit to picturesque Cinnamon Bay Beach for swimming or snorkeling its pristine tourmaline waters.
Ram Head Trail
Rating: moderate
If you’re into stunning views, Ram Head Trail is a great choice. Visitors can park at Salt Pond Bay and walk about a quarter-mile to the start of the trail. You’ll pass through rocky areas along the water, then the trail begins to incline. What makes this hike so memorable is the reward at the end: magnificent sweeping 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and St. John.
Back at Salt Pond Bay, end your unforgettable day by swimming, snorkeling and enjoying a well-deserved picnic.
L’Esperance Trail
Rating: moderate
Soak up sights like the island’s single sacred baobab tree, cacti, a waterfall and the ruins of some of St. John’s earliest sugar mill estates by following the signs from Centerline Road to L’Esperance Trail.
The 2.6-mile backcountry hike is often steep, rocky, slippery and uneven. I suggest planning ahead to join a hike led by a park ranger, who will point out trail highlights while talking about the area’s history. Wear good hiking shoes, bring lots of water and enjoy cooling off afterward at Reef Bay Beach.
Johnny Horn Trail
Rating: difficult
Located near Reef Bay, this 3.1-mile hike offers a trip to one of the most beautiful overlooks on the island. While the views are awe-inspiring, you’ll be navigating uneven and steep terrain. But once you reach the top, you’ll know it was worth every single sweaty step when you spy the incredible picture-perfect Watermelon Cay, Mary’s Point, Leinster Bay and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
Reef Bay Trail
Rating: difficult
Also known as the “St. John Waterfall Hike,” this is must-do for hiking enthusiasts and history buffs. Though it’s one of the more adventurous island hikes, the 2.2-mile trip following uneven, steep and rocky terrain requires sturdy hiking shoes. It’s worth the effort as you pass through two verdant forests, ruins of four Danish sugar mills, waterfalls and petroglyphs carved about 1,500 years ago by the Indigenous Taino people.
I recommend you start early and bring along water and a lunch. Afterward, you can drive or take a taxi to the trailhead on Centerline Road, then hike down to its end for a dip in the crystal-clear waters at Reef Bay Beach. Ranger-led hikes are also available for this trail.
