Saba Hiking Trails: Which One We Chose and Why

Easy Saba Hiking Trails

Before I reveal which Saba hiking trail we chose, I’ve put together a quick overview of all the hiking trails, organized by difficulty level, so you can see what you’re working with and decide what fits your travel style best.

Moderate Saba Hiking Trails

Difficult Saba Hiking Trails

Strenuous Saba Hiking Trails

My husband and I were in Saba for 4 days and 3 nights, and we packed it in. If you’re planning your own trip, don’t miss my full itinerary (paired with St. Martin!) because we made the most of every second.

We had two full days for activities.

On our first day, we headed out with Sea Saba for a snorkeling trip. We saw turtle after turtle gliding through the water like they had nowhere to be.

It was one of those mornings where you get back on the boat salty, sun-kissed, and very happy with your life choices.

That left us with one full day for hiking.

Now, everyone talks about Mount Scenery, which is the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom. It’s iconic. It’s the hike people post about.

But is it the best hike in Saba?

Here’s the thing. Mount Scenery can be moody. As you climb, clouds can roll in fast and completely swallow the summit. You could put in all that effort only to end up staring at a wall of white.

After researching and chatting with several locals, we kept hearing the same answer.

Hike the Sandy Cruz Trail.

It offers a wide variety of landscapes, a moderate level of intensity, and some seriously spectacular views. We were sold.

We stayed at Queen’s Garden Resort, which meant we could hike Sandy Cruz straight from the property. Roll out of bed, have breakfast, lace up boots, and go. It was ideal.

Which is why I’m genuinely so sad that Queen’s Garden Resort is currently closed for extensive renovations. It’s such a special spot and perfectly positioned for this trail.

If you’re visiting while it’s closed, don’t worry. Saba has around ten taxi drivers on the island. Just coordinate a time in advance, and you’re set.

Here’s a quick overview of one of the most beautiful Saba hiking trails on the island:

Troy Hill Trailhead to Viewpoint 1

To start the hike, we walked straight out of Queen’s Garden Resort, turned left, and began hiking up the road.

It feels a little anticlimactic at first, like you’re just heading out for a neighborhood walk.

Shortly after, you’ll pass a sign on the right that lists Troy Hill, Bottom Mtn, Windwardside, Maskehorne Hills, Buds Mtn, and Mount Scenery.

Keep walking past it.

This is not your turn.

And don’t forget to turn around every so often.

The higher you climb, the better the views get. Rooftops start to look tiny, the coastline stretches wider, and that deep Caribbean blue somehow gets even brighter.

Fair warning though: the road is steep. Like, heart-rate-up, calves-burning steep.

It felt like I was climbing a giant outdoor stair stepper, except there was no “off” button and no air conditioning.

Right before the road ends, it curves to the right.

At that bend, we noticed a private property on the right with signage on a stone wall that reads “Troy Hill Trailhead.”

To the left of that trailhead, there’s a larger sign with a map of Mount Scenery National Park. That’s the start of the trail!

The first stretch of the trail is surprisingly gentle.

After that steep road climb, it felt like a small reward. The path leveled out, the jungle started to close in around us, and we could finally catch our breath.

We also spotted reassuring trail signs along the way confirming we were on the Sandy Cruz Trail.

There’s something oddly comforting about those little markers when you’re hiking on a tiny island with multiple intersecting paths.

Viewpoint 1 to Viewpoint 2

About 20 minutes in, we reached Viewpoint 1, marked by a simple wooden bench.

From that bench, you get your first little peek of the sea.

It’s not a full panoramic moment, just a teasing slice of blue through the greenery.

Now the trail starts to tilt upward again.

We passed several giant elephant ear plants along the way, their leaves so big they looked like they could double as umbrellas.

There was only one slightly tricky section on the entire hike.

About 15 minutes after we passed the first viewpoint, we came to a spot where it looked like the trail split. One path appeared to veer left, and the other climbed uphill to the right.

Do not go left.

That left path takes you past a run-down gate with a lot of debris scattered around. It looks questionable for a reason. When we peeked that way, it immediately felt wrong.

Instead, head uphill to the right.

See the correct trail in the photo below.

The trail now winds through incredibly lush vegetation.

It feels like the jungle fully closes in around you. Thick green leaves, twisting branches, and layers of plants stacked on top of each other like nature decided to go all in.

At this point, the trail turned seriously muddy.

It had lightly rained that morning, so we knew our shoes didn’t stand a chance.

But here’s the funny part.

In several spots, it was almost like the giant elephant ear leaves had fallen in the exact right places, creating natural stepping stones over the worst of the mud.

This hike felt incredibly peaceful from start to finish.

During the entire four hours, we only passed one other hiker and two trail runners. That was it.

No crowds, no chatter, just wind through the leaves, the sound of our own footsteps, and the occasional rooster crow.

My favorite stretch was near the top, right before we reached Viewpoint 2.

The vegetation completely enveloped us. Thick greenery pressed in from both sides, and every few steps the trees would part just enough to offer a tiny, teasing glimpse of the sea far below.

Eventually, we reached another junction.

If you want to stay on the Sandy Cruz Trail, stay right.

It’s clearly marked.

Viewoint 2 to Upper Hell’s Gate

About five minutes after that junction, we reached Viewpoint 2.

From here, you get a sweeping view of the coastline and, way down below, the famous runway at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport.

It’s known as the shortest commercial runway in the world, and seeing it from above really puts that into perspective. It looks tiny. Like, “are we sure planes land on that?” tiny.

And yes… we actually flew in on that runway. I have a full article on what it’s like landing in Saba, because it’s a whole experience in itself.

We stood there longer than we probably needed to, secretly hoping we’d catch a plane taking off or coming in for landing. No such luck.

But even without the action, viewing the runway from the Sandy Cruz Trail makes you realize just how small it really is.

Roughly 10 minutes after Viewpoint 2, we reached another sign pointing right that read “Elfin Forest.”

If it hadn’t rained that morning, we seriously would have considered taking the Elfin Trail up to Mount Scenery and turning it into a bigger adventure.

The idea of connecting trails and reaching the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom in one go was very tempting.

But we had been strongly advised not to hike Mount Scenery after any rain. The trail can get extremely slick, especially near the top.

Multiple locals told us it’s not worth the risk.

So we listened.

As much as I love a good challenge, I love keeping my ankles intact even more.

So we pressed on and continued straight.

Not long after, we spotted a house in the distance with a brightly colored red roof and a pool.

That view marked the end of the Sandy Cruz Trail.

It took us about two hours to get from the Troy Hill Trailhead to the end at Upper Hell’s Gate.

At that point, you have options.

You could arrange for a taxi to pick you up at Upper Hell’s Gate and drive you back to your hotel. Or you could flip it and have a taxi drop you off there, then hike back toward Queen’s Garden Resort.

We wanted the extra workout, so we turned it into an out-and-back and hiked the same way back.

On the way back, we did take a little shortcut and cut through the back of Queen’s Garden Resort, which conveniently pops you out right at the outdoor dining patio.

Animals We Saw

We did see a few animals along the way.

The first was a rooster. Yes, a rooster. He kept just enough distance to stay out of reach, but close enough that it felt like he was hiking with us.

Every time we thought he’d disappear, he’d pop back out on the trail ahead of us before eventually veering off into the thick vegetation like he had somewhere important to be.

The second animal made things a little more interesting.

A snake. Actually, two.

Saba is home to the red-bellied racer snake. They’re slender, quick, and thankfully harmless.

It’s a good reminder that you’re hiking through real, untamed nature.

We also spotted the snake’s prey, the Saban anole, which is an endemic lizard found only on Saba.

They’re small but surprisingly striking. The males have beautiful black spots scattered across their bodies, which honestly make them look like tiny leopard lizards.

It felt like we were getting a little crash course in Saba’s ecosystem: snake, lizard, rooster, all within a few miles. Not bad for one morning in the forest.

Here are my trail-tested tips, broken down simply:

→   Water: Bring more than you think you need. We brought three bottles total and I still wished I had more. In hindsight, I should have brought my CamelBak with a hydration bladder so I could sip hands-free the entire time.

→   Shoes: Wear proper hiking shoes. The trails can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain. My trail runners gripped well and saved me from a few near-slips.

→   Snacks: If you’re making this an out-and-back, it’s a long hike. Pack something easy like Kind bars for a quick energy boost.

→   Camera: I love bringing my GoPro on hikes. Even if it takes me forever to edit the footage, I always appreciate having those trail memories captured.

→   Communication: Let your hotel know you’re heading out. There’s little to no cell reception on most trails, so it’s smart to have someone aware of your plan.

→   Walking sticks: Consider bringing them. We didn’t, but they would have helped on the muddier, steeper sections.

→   Sun protection: Wear sunscreen and a hat, especially on exposed sections. I use EltaMD and always bring my Ponyflo hat. Luckily, Sandy Cruz is mostly shaded.

→   Rain awareness: Not all trails are safe after rain. Do not attempt Mount Scenery if it rained the night before or the morning of your hike. It can get dangerously slick. We skipped it for that reason and stuck with Sandy Cruz.

→   Manchineel trees: Be aware of them. They are considered one of the most poisonous trees in the world. The fruit looks like a small green crabapple, but one bite can cause severe pain and swelling.

Every part of the tree is toxic, including the leaves, bark, and sap. Never stand under one, especially during or after rain, since dripping sap can blister your skin. The Saba Conservation Foundation specifically warns hikers about these trees on certain trails.

Saba’s trails are incredible, but they’re wild. A little preparation makes all the difference.

Time for only one hike?

If you want the bragging rights of standing on the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom, then hike Mount Scenery. It’s iconic for a reason.

Just be strategic. Don’t go if it’s raining or if heavy cloud cover has rolled in. The summit is known for disappearing into the mist, and after all those stairs, staring at a wall of white would be a tough pill to swallow.

If you’re looking for variety, fewer crowds, and a trail that constantly changes scenery, I would strongly consider the Sandy Cruz Trail.

The mix of rainforest, open views, rolling hills, and that incredible overlook of the runway makes it feel like you’re getting several hikes in one.

Many locals consider it one of the best trails on the island, and after hiking it ourselves, I completely agree.

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Have you done any of the Saba Hiking Trails? Any favorites?

Let me know in the comments below!