| This article describes my recommendations of walks | | | | for about ½ mile; then take the first path to the |
| and hikes in Grenada, from easy to (very) challenging. | | | | left that leads into the forest. After about 200 feet (60 |
| Beach to beach walks | | | | meter) the path makes a 90 degrees turn to the right. |
| The Southeast coast of the island is most suitable for | | | | If you don't see the turn to the right you better go |
| this, in particular the area between Hope and la | | | | back... You will see the first two of the seven sisters, |
| Sagesse. The hills are typically 80-200 ft high so by | | | | one of them is over 50 ft (15 meter) high. If you want |
| the time you get tired walking up, you're already at the | | | | to see the other five, check below: "Jump the Seven |
| top. You will enjoy continuously changing landscapes, | | | | Sisters; the ultimate hike". As with the previous walk, |
| from glowing hills, which remind to Ireland's Kerry coast, | | | | this is not a 100% rainforest experience. I takes about |
| to mangroves. And -of course- beaches, one every | | | | 2 hours + breaks (power shower and swim in the falls |
| 20 minutes on average. As the sun shines on the trails | | | | recommended). |
| it is OK to do the walk even after a shower. As you | | | | Rain Forest hikes |
| are exposed to the sun, bring at least 2 liters/ ½ | | | | From Paradise Bay's "secret" starting point at the |
| gallon water (preferably frozen) on ½ day trips | | | | water reservoir high in the mountains (secret because |
| and double that on full day trips. | | | | of difficult access and narrow roads -passing is a |
| The following short walks are suitable if your condition | | | | challenge-) is a great rain forest experience, ending at |
| is not that great -or you want to break in before | | | | Grand Etang. Your guide will cut the jungle bush for |
| attempting a larger challenge-: Paradise Bay (La Tante) | | | | you with his machete in the centre part of the hike. |
| to Marlmount Beach or Paradise Bay to Cabier Beach | | | | After about 3 hours you will end close to Grand Etang |
| (Crochu). Both return trips take about 1.5 hours, not | | | | Crater Lake. You could consider combining this trip with |
| counting breaks to eat and swim (recommended). | | | | the Seven Sisters walk described above. The guide |
| When I join guests on these trips we usually stay | | | | organizes the transport back to Paradise Bay Resort |
| away 3-4 hours. | | | | and other hotels. |
| A longer beach to beach walk is to go from Paradise | | | | The next intermediate rain forest hike is from Apres |
| Bay to Hope Beach or Mt Carmel Falls (or vice versa). | | | | Toute (not far from La Tante) to Grand Etang. You |
| This will take about 3 hours + breaks to Hope Beach | | | | need a guide to prevent getting lost. This tour starts |
| and 4.5 hours to Mt Carmel Falls (via Hope Beach, the | | | | hiking through farms and plantations with a good |
| last part goes up and is more strenuous). If you are | | | | chance to see the local spices that gave Grenada the |
| staying at Paradise Bay, they have a service to pick | | | | name "Spice Isle". You will enjoy great views over the |
| you up at Hope Beach and bring you to a point 10 | | | | East coast. After passing Mt. Williams the trip ends at |
| minutes away from the Falls. Including breaks you | | | | Grand Etang and takes about 3 hours + breaks, |
| should reserve the day for this trip. From Hope Beach | | | | leaving ample time for other activities. |
| and Mt Carmel Falls you can take a bus back. | | | | Mt Qua Qua is the highest peak (2,370 ft / 710 meter) |
| The longest beach to beach walk is from Paradise | | | | within easy reach of Grand Etang (1,800 ft / 540 |
| Bay to La Sagesse (or vice versa) and takes about 5 | | | | meter). This is a popular and well kept trail and there is |
| hours. Although there are a few climbing parts I would | | | | no real need for a guide if you have hiking experience. |
| still not classify this as a hike. Everybody with a | | | | After covered trails you continue over a ridge that |
| reasonable condition can do it. But if you are in doubt, | | | | goes almost straight to the top, where you enjoy |
| consider doing the shorter walks first. This walk lets | | | | panoramic views seeing part of the West, East and |
| you enjoy many different landscapes and beaches. | | | | North coasts. Combining this trip with the Seven |
| Including breaks I recommend to leave after (early) | | | | Sisters walk is also a popular option. |
| breakfast and with ample breaks reach at Happy | | | | When you are a hiking expert and are very fit, the |
| Hour. You can take the bus back, after walking back | | | | "ultimate hike" is to "jump the Seven Sisters Falls". It |
| to the Eastern main road. | | | | starts with the Seven Sisters walk and that is the |
| When you come by car, you can park your car at | | | | easy part. You absolutely need a guide for this one as |
| Paradise Bay Resort, La Sagesse Nature Center, | | | | he will show you how to climb and where to jump. |
| Cabier Ocean Lodge (4 wheel drive recommended) | | | | First you hike to the seventh Sister which is challenging |
| and Hope Beach. When you come by bus to Paradise | | | | with 45° and steeper climbs. However, as there is |
| Bay, ask the driver to let you off at La Tante Junction | | | | enough vegetation to hold on, it is not extremely |
| on the Eastern Main Road and walk down to the | | | | difficult. Should you experience this climb to be at the |
| beach (20 minutes). Paradise Bay, Cabier Beach and | | | | edge of your possibilities, I recommend to go back |
| La Sagesse have a restaurant and bar. At the | | | | (take your time). Your guide will understand and coach |
| beginning of the access road to Mt Carmel Falls are 2 | | | | you on the way back. |
| local bars. | | | | At the top you first practice a bit of cliff hanging, albeit |
| Rain forest walks | | | | on average 10 ft over the water. There is no |
| As part of their Super Inclusive program, Paradise Bay | | | | vegetation to hold on to, just rocks. In the beginning |
| Resort offers a rainforest walk that starts high in the | | | | there are larger pieces that stick out what makes it |
| mountains at a water reservoir. This is as close as you | | | | easier, but the last part is very technical and requires |
| can get to a rainforest (10 minutes walk). You can then | | | | extreme caution. Thereafter, he first jumps are not |
| walk as far as you want. The deeper you go into the | | | | high, but the water is rather shallow. I found that |
| rainforest the more muddy it gets (that's why they are | | | | jumping with the legs horizontally stretched is a good |
| called RAIN forests...) but also the more beautiful. | | | | recipe for these jumps. |
| When you are lucky (in season) you will see hundreds | | | | The most challenging part is where the water goes |
| of orchids growing on the base of the trees, in addition | | | | down 30°-45° in a narrow (about 2 ft wide) |
| to the fern and moss that are always there. | | | | gorge. Our local guide seemed to have a good grip on |
| Another rain forest walk that is doable for most -and | | | | the slippery rocks with his bare feet and walked down |
| does not require a guide- is the circular walk at Grand | | | | with a smile. My mountain shoes did not have a grip at |
| Etang Crater Lake in the centre of the island between | | | | all so my only option was to maneuver my feet |
| St George's and Grenville (reachable by bus). From the | | | | against the rocks until reaching a secure position. Then |
| lake you go up and follow the signs. It takes about 1.5 | | | | I moved my hands to a lower position, bending the |
| hour + breaks. This trip may not offer the same | | | | knees, thus gaining about 1-2 ft. Thereafter, move the |
| experience as the previous one as it is at the outskirts | | | | feet one by one until a stable position. This is very |
| of the rainforest, but is a nice experience anyway. | | | | technical and requires applying a lot of force for more |
| Close to the Grand Etang visitor centre is a parking lot | | | | than half an hour. |
| where Mona monkeys are often spotted. The | | | | After that you casually wander thru the river until the |
| neighboring shop sells bananas... | | | | last jump. Before doing this hike I had personally |
| A little bit more strenuous is the walk to the Seven | | | | checked that the water below this 15 meter (50 ft) |
| Sisters Falls. Between Grand Etang and Grenville take | | | | high Waterfall was as deep as they say. And it was, I |
| the side road with a sign to St Margaret. If you come | | | | never touched the bottom during my 30 minutes |
| by car park at the designated area and walk from | | | | evaluation, so it must be at least 30 ft (6 meter) deep, |
| there. When you take the bus, walk on the side road | | | | which is indeed safe. |