Tamrac Extreme Super Backpack Forest

This article describes my recommendations of walks and hikes in Grenada, from easy to (very) challenging.

Beach to beach walks

The Southeast coast of the island is most suitable for this, in queer the area among Hope and la Sagesse. The hills are specifically 80-200 ft high so by the time you get tired walking up, you’re already at the top. You will take delight in without disruption altering landscapes, from glowing hills, which remind to Ireland’s Kerry coast, to mangroves. And -of course- beaches, one each 20 minutes on average. As the sun shines on the trails it is OK to do the walk even after a shower. As you are exposed to the sun, fetch at least 2 liters/ ½ gallon water (preferably frozen) on ½ day trips and double that on full day trips.

The following short walks are suitable if your condition is not that outstanding -or you want to break in before attempting a larger challenge-: Paradise Bay (La Tante) to Marlmount Beach or Paradise Bay to Cabier Beach (Crochu). Both return trips take when it comes to 1.5 hours, not counting breaks to eat and swim (recommended). When I join guests on these trips we normally stay away 3-4 hours.

A longer beach to beach walk is to go from Paradise Bay to Hope Beach or Mt Carmel Falls (or vice versa). This will take with regards to 3 hours + breaks to Hope Beach and 4.5 hours to Mt Carmel Falls (via Hope Beach, the last portion goes up and is more strenuous). If you are staying at Paradise Bay, they have a service to pick you up at Hope Beach and fetch you to a point 10 minutes away from the Falls. Including breaks you will have to reserve the day for this trip. From Hope Beach and Mt Carmel Falls you may take a bus back.

The longest beach to beach walk is from Paradise Bay to La Sagesse (or vice versa) and takes with regards to 5 hours. Although there are a few climbing elements I would still not classify this as a hike. Everybody with a reasonable condition may do it. But if you are in doubt, consider doing the shorter walks first. This walk lets you receive pleasure from numerous dissimilar landscapes and beaches. Including breaks I commend to leave after (early) breakfast and with ample breaks reach at Happy Hour. You may take the bus back, after walking back to the Eastern main road.

When you come by car, you may park your car at Paradise Bay Resort, La Sagesse Nature Center, Cabier Ocean Lodge (4 wheel drive recommended) and Hope Beach. When you come by bus to Paradise Bay, ask the driver to let you off at La Tante Junction on the Eastern Main Road and walk down to the beach (20 minutes). Paradise Bay, Cabier Beach and La Sagesse have a restaurant and bar. At the beginning of the access road to Mt Carmel Falls are 2 local bars.

Rain forest walks

As portion of their Super Inclusive program, Paradise Bay Resort offers a rainforest walk that starts high in the mountains at a water reservoir. This is as close as you may get to a rainforest (10 minutes walk). You may then walk as far as you want. The deeper you go into the rainforest the more muddy it gets (that’s why they are called RAIN forests…) but likewise the more beautiful. When you are lucky (in season) you will see hundreds of orchids growing on the base of the trees, in addition to the fern and moss that are always there.

Another rain forest walk that is possible to do for most -and does not require a guide- is the circular walk at Grand Etang Crater Lake in the centre of the island amid St George’s and Grenville (reachable by bus). From the lake you go up and follow the signs. It takes regarding 1.5 hour + breaks. This trip may not offer the same experience as the former one as it is at the outskirts of the rainforest, but is a nice experience anyway. Close to the Grand Etang visitor centre is a parking lot where Mona monkeys are often spotted. The neighboring shop sells bananas…

A little bit more strenuous is the walk to the Seven Sisters Falls. Between Grand Etang and Grenville take the side road with a sign to St Margaret. If you come by car park at the indicated area and walk from there. When you take the bus, walk on the side road for regarding ½ mile; then take the initial path to the left that leads into the forest. After when it comes to 200 feet (60 meter) the path makes a 90 degrees turn to the right. If you don’t see the turn to the right you better go back… You will see the initial two of the seven sisters, one of them is over 50 ft (15 meter) high. If you want to see the other five, check below: “Jump the Seven Sisters; the uttermost hike”. As with the former walk, this is not a 100% rainforest experience. I takes when it comes to 2 hours + breaks (power shower and swim in the falls recommended).

Rain Forest hikes

From Paradise Bay’s “secret” starting point at the water reservoir high in the mountains (secret because of difficult access and narrow roads -passing is a challenge-) is a great rain forest experience, ending at Grand Etang. Your guide will cut the jungle bush for you with his machete in the centre part of the hike. After in regards to 3 hours you will end close to Grand Etang Crater Lake. You could consider combining this trip with the Seven Sisters walk described above. The guide organizes the transport back to Paradise Bay Resort and other hotels.

The next intermediate rain forest hike is from Apres Toute (not far from La Tante) to Grand Etang. You need a guide to prevent getting lost. This tour starts hiking through farms and plantations with a good chance to see the local spices that gave Grenada the name “Spice Isle”. You will take pleasure in great views over the East coast. After passing Mt. Williams the trip ends at Grand Etang and takes regarding 3 hours + breaks, leaving plenteous time for other activities.

Mt Qua Qua is the most eminent peak (2,370 ft / 710 meter) within easy reach of Grand Etang (1,800 ft / 540 meter). This is a usual and well kept trail and there is no real need for a guide if you have hiking experience. After covered trails you proceed over a ridge that goes almost straight to the top, where you get enjoyment from panoramic views seeing portion of the West, East and North coasts. Combining this trip with the Seven Sisters walk is also a ordinary option.

When you are a hiking expert and are very fit, the “ultimate hike” is to “jump the Seven Sisters Falls”. It starts with the Seven Sisters walk and that is the easy part. You perfectly need a guide for this one as he will show you how to climb and where to jump. First you hike to the seventh Sister which is challenging with 45° and steeper climbs. However, as there is sufficient vegetation to hold on, it is not exceedingly difficult. Should you experience this climb to be at the edge of your possibilities, I commend to go back (take your time). Your guide will grasp and coach you on the way back.

At the top you firstborn exercise a bit of cliff hanging, even though on intermediate 10 ft over the water. There is no vegetation to hold on to, just rocks. In the beginning there are more prominent pieces that stick out what makes it easier, but the last part is very technical and requires uttermost caution. Thereafter, he firstborn jumps are not high, but the water is rather shallow. I found that jumping with the legs horizontally stretched is a good recipe for these jumps.

The most challenging part is where the water goes down 30°-45° in a narrow (about 2 ft wide) gorge. Our local guide seemed to have a good grip on the slippery rocks with his bare feet and walked down with a smile. My mountain shoes did not have a grip at all so my only option was to maneuver my feet versus the rocks until reaching a secure position. Then I moved my hands to a lower position, bending the knees, thence profiting when it comes to 1-2 ft. Thereafter, move the feet one by one until a stable position. This is very technical and requires applying a lot of strength for more than half an hour.

After that you casually wander by way of the river until the last jump. Before doing this hike I had personally checked that the water under this 15 meter (50 ft) high Waterfall was as deep as they say. And it was, I never touched the bottom for the duration of my 30 minutes evaluation, so it must be at least 30 ft (6 meter) deep, which is in truth safe.

When I looked at the Waterfall from a horizontal distance, it looked rather easy to do. When you’re at the top looking down, there is a very distinct difference. The lake at the bottom seemed so little suddenly… After I assembled sufficient courage, I basi climbed down in regards to 4 feet (not steep) to get to a jumping position without delay over the water. This is supposed to be easy but so high out there it is a bit scary. With quivering knees I made the jump and -indeed- did not touch the bottom of the lake. Everybody feels in truth great after this. “I made it”. I did this uttermost hike once as I ought to have firsthand experience on all tours I organize, but I would like to confess that I booked this hike beneath the ‘experiences once in a lifetime” category. I am not sure whether I must commend this to guests in my age category (57). Or, better said I ought to only commend it to young, very fit and experienced hikers. To my psychological result of perception learning and reasoning there are no known severe casualties from hiking the Seven Sisters. Guests who hiked the Falls called this one of the most thrilling experiences they had in their life. I agree, bungy jumping is a piece of cake equated to the Ultimate Hike.

Did I leave any walks and hikes out? Certainly, there are some more in Grenada: a large total of casual walks and also rather a few rain forest and waterfall hikes. However, most visitors to Grenada have fixed vacation time, so I chose to select the best. If you would like to do them all, you would need at least 2 weeks, that is if you want to get enjoyment from other outstanding actions such as ocean kayaking, catamaran sailing, whale & dolphin watching, scuba diving & snorkeling, horseback riding and turtle watch (during the night; March – July). The best way to take pleasure in the beaches is to do the beach to beach walks. Bring your snorkeling gear!

Tamrac Extreme Super Backpack Forest Image

Tamrac Extreme Super Backpack Forest Photo

Tamrac Extreme Super Backpack Forest Pic

Tamrac Extreme Super Backpack Forest Image

Tamrac Extreme Super Backpack Forest Image

Tamrac Extreme Super Backpack Forest Picture