Hiking in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Situated at the northwestern end of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, the US virgin Islands are the perfect spot for all sorts of great hiking adventures.

Composed of three main islands – St Thomas, St John and St Croix – and several dozen smaller islands, there are plenty of great hiking opportunities to be had here. Among the most popular is to head to St Croix, which is the largest of the islands.

Here, hiking trips to Goat Hill, Maroon Ridge, Jack Bay and Ham’s Bluff lighthouse are quite popular. These trips range from a half-day to a whole day and are not overly physical or technical, making them perfect for families.

On St John’s, hiking up to Bordeaux Mountain, the highest on the island, is a great way to spend a day. Watch the landscape transform from semi-tropical forests to rugged volcanic ridges and enjoy panoramic views out over the entire island, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

Stunning scenery

Boasting sem-tropical rainforests, coastal coral reefs, white sand beaches and steep inland hills, the US Virgin Islands offer plenty of great places to explore on foot. Each of the three main islands has its own unique characteristics, making hiking a great way to become intimately acquainted with all of the different and beautiful landscapes.

Virgin Islands National Park

Complete with historic sites, stunning vistas over the Atlantic Ocean, and plenty of trails through the thickly wooded and hilly interior, Virgin Island National Park is a veritable paradise for hikers. Located on the island of St John, the only way to get to the park is by ferry, meaning it’s an ideal place to escape the crowds and enjoy a weekend or more of immersive hiking.

Hike Crown Mountain

Rising to 474 meters (1,555 feet) in elevation, Crown Mountain is the highest point in the US Virgin Islands and makes for a great half-day of hiking. The views from the top are spectacular and there is even a restaurant at the top to provide refreshments on a hot day. Some choose to drive part way up the mountain and hike the rest, but there are also options for longer circuits.

The climate in the US Virgin Islands is subtropical, with warm weather year round. The average daily temperature is about 30 °C (86 ºF). September to November is the wettest part of the year. From June to November is hurricane season.

Most trips to the US Virgin Islands begin with a flight into either the Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St Thomas, or the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX), on St Croix. From here, it is easy enough to rent a car or take a combination of transports and ferries to the start of the trip.

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