Discover untouched nature in our Quill and Boven National Park
Hiking
Venture into the crater of the Quill, a dormant volcano.
Take a break at the base of one of the tallest trees in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Overlook the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea at the top of Boven Mountain.
Discover untouched nature in our two national parks.
Within two miles of each other, the Quill and Boven National Parks offer 17 trails (approximately 21 km in total) through semi-tropical rainforest, cactus lined valleys and up St. Eustatius’s peaks.
Peace, quiet and serene views awaits.
For up to date maps, please reference Open Street Maps or Apps/Website than utilize the OSM map base.
Quill National Park
The Main Quill Trail
Duration: 60 - 120 mins round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 1.6 km one-way
Elevation gain: Moderate
Trail condition: Formed ground path, some rock steps
Access (starting point): The main Quill National Park Entrance at the top of Rosemary Lane (17.476861, -62.975693).
Description: This trail gradually leads to the Crater’s Rim. The trail passes through diverse vegetation zones (thorny woodland, mountain thickets and dry evergreen forest). Visitors can enjoy a diverse variety of flora and fauna along the way as the habitats change.
Things to spot: Blackberry trees, gumbo limbo (or Tourist) trees, bromeliads, stinking toe trees and silk cotton trees. The red-bellied racer snake and the endangered bridled quail-dove, soldier/hermit crabs, anolis lizards and approximately 30+ other bird species.
Connectivity: The Historical Trail Interpretive Walk is to the right just before the halfway intersection. Halfway up the trail is an intersection to the Around the Mountain - South Trail. Near the end is an intersection to Around the Mountain – North Trail and a view point. The Main Quill Trail ends at an intersection where it forks to the Crater Viewpoint, Panorama Trail, Crater Trail or Mazinga Trail.
Special Features: Along the trail you will find one of our Chronolog Photo Stations, follow the instructions to contribute to our time-lapse project!
Disclaimer: This trail passes through one of our restoration sites. Please feel free to proceed through the gates, but please leave them closed.
Crater Trail
To be updated...
Mazinga Trail
To be updated...
Panorama Trail
Difficulty: Difficult
Duration: 30-60 mins round-trip
Distance: 0.4 km (.25 miles) one-way
Elevation gain: High
Trail condition: Very rough and steep, big rocks, ropes to help climb.
Access (starting point): Hike up the Main Quill Trail, from the end of the main Quill Trail at th intersection, turn North to continue to Panorama (Trailhead: 17.478033, -62.967000).
Description: This relatively short but very steep trail takes you up to the highest point on the North side of the rim. Ending at the signal station (you can see it flashing at night), hikers are rewarded with a clear view of the Crater and an impressive view of Statia and Saba. On clear days, Sint Maarten/Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy can be seen in the distance.
Things to spot: Flora - Orchids, bromeliads, air plants, old man’s beard (lichens) and the endangered Copey Vera Tree. Fauna - The Monserrat Whistling Frog, Anolis lizards, hermit crabs and Red-tailed Hawks flying over the Crater.
Connectivity: This is a one-way trail, continue back to where you started to return on Main Quill Trail or continue to hike the Crater Trail or Mazinga Trail.
DISCLAIMER: This route is very challenging and includes steep and exposed sections. Not recommended for those with vertigo and fear of heights. This hike is best described as a “scramble” up the trail.
Around the Mountain Trail - Full
To be updated...
Around the Mountain Trail - North
To be updated...
Around the Mountain Trail - South
To be updated...
Historical Trail
To be updated...
Couchar Mountain Trail
To be updated...
Bird Trail
To be updated...
Around the Garden Trail
To be updated...
Boven National Park
Venus Trail
Duration: 60 - 120 minutes round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate **
Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile) one-way
Elevation gain: Moderate **
Trail condition: Formed ground trail and ground access track for 4x4 maintenance vehicles.
Access (Trailhead): Main entrance of Boven National Park (17.506933, -62.983643)
Description: The Venus Bay Trail starts with a climb up to the Gilboa Ridges, then continues downwards into Venus Bay. The hike is primarily through dry tropical forest and has several viewpoints over Zeelandia and Venus Bay. In Venus Bay, the trail ends at a picnic table where visitors can enjoy refreshing sea breezes and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Things to spot: Flora: Gumbo limbo (or tourist) trees, water mampoo trees, stinkwood trees, fiddlewood trees, acacia trees. Fauna: Red-billed tropicbirds, magnificent frigatebirds, American kestrels (killy-killy), red-tailed hawk, black-whiskered vireos and yellow warblers.
Connectivity: At the high point the trail is the Gilboa Ridges (1,2 and 3) Trailhead. At the bottom of the descent on the Venus Bay side is the Bergje Trailhead. Nearing the end of the trail is the Jenkins Bay Trailhead. At the very end of the trail, in Venus Bay, is the Boven Trailhead.
Disclaimer: Please note that vehicles will occasionally drive on this road, but this road is not open to the public.
Gilboa Ridge 1 Trail
To be updated...
Gilboa Ridge 2 Trail
To be updated...
Gilboa Ridge 3 Trail
To be updated...
Bergje Trail - Little Mountain
To be updated...
Jenkins Bay Trail
To be updated...
Boven Trail
To be updated...
Signal Hill Trail
To be updated...
It’s a good idea to….
- Take at least 1,5 litre of water per person
- Wear sturdy shoes with substantial grip
- Avoid hiking at the warmest part of the day, between 11 am - 3 pm
- Wear sun protection (head covering, such as a cap, is recommended)
- Take a map or guide
- Please do not swim at Venus Bay as there are strong rip currents
Leave nothing but footprints
- Do not litter
- Stay on the trails
- No campfires
- Do not take any plants or animals.
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