10 Best Hiking Spots in The Bahamas
Take a Walk Around The Bahamas' Most Beautiful Landscapes
The best hiking spots in The Bahamas offer a surprisingly diverse range of ecosystems that make every location on this list rewarding for different reasons. From national parks to coastal trails, urban sightseeing to underground adventure, you could hike every day of your vacation and still find every trek inspiring.
Not only can you hop from coast to cave and forest to nature preserve, there’s also an impressive variation in the flora of the islands. Spend one day exploring ancient forests, another in the wetlands surrounded by mangroves, and the next trekking up hill to a serene viewpoint. Read on to find out where to hike in The Bahamas.
1. Historic Downtown Nassau Loop
A first-day pick
适合： 家庭, 历史
The urban hike of the HIstoric Downtown Nassau Loop could also be called a self-guided walking tour. But at around 4 miles in length, it’s enough to stretch your legs and get you feeling active. Take in the bustle of Pompey Square, colonial-era architecture, and lively Straw Market, which is a handy spot for finding souvenirs. Climb the Queen’s Staircase and head up to Fort Fincastle to brush up on island history and get fantastic views over the harbor.
This hike is a combination of sightseeing and cultural immersion and works especially well as an introduction to the Bahamas at the start of your vacation. After, head to one of the spectacular beaches to paddle and unwind.
Historic Downtown Nassau Loop
2. Lucayan National Park, Grand Bahama
Thriving natural environment
适合： 家庭, 冒险
With over 40 acres of mangroves, pine forests, and coastal dunes to discover, Lucayan National Park is a great choice for a day out on the trails. Many of the paths have boardwalks extending over the wetlands or into cave entrances, expanding your explorations while keeping your feet dry.
This is a popular spot, with a visitor’s center, restrooms, and a warden on duty, but you’ll still find plenty of open space and far more birds than people. Seek out the signage to learn about the indigenous Lucayan burial sites in the area, or head to Gold Rock Beach to relax or snorkel the colorful reef at low tide.
电话： +1 242-393-1317
Lucayan National Park, Grand Bahama
3. Blue Holes National Park, Andros
An exceptionally photogenic spot
适合： 照片, 情侣/夫妇
Hiking Blue Holes National Park on Andros is an unforgettable experience. Follow the well-maintained boardwalks and interpretive trails through pine and coppice forests and discover a cluster of stunning inland blue holes. A must-see highlight is Captain Bill’s Blue Hole, or if you’re feeling brave, try the famous Leap of Faith, a thrilling 15-ft jump into crystal-clear water.
Amenities include gazebos, picnic areas, and restrooms, making it comfortable for all-day trips. The park’s unique geology is not only beautiful, but it also supports a huge range of wildlife. Bring a camera to document these unmissable sights.
Blue Holes National Park, Andros
4. Mount Alvernia Trail, Cat Island
A peaceful retreat
适合： 历史, 照片
Although Mount Alvernia is the highest point in the Bahamas, its elevation is only 206 ft, making this a casual hike that most can enjoy quite comfortably. There’s a marked path that will take you through the island’s lush greenery to the summit in approximately half an hour.
In addition to the gorgeous sea views and sweeping beach scenes, you’ll find the hermitage of Father Jerome. He built his home by hand in the 1930s, and since his passing, the tiny monastery and chapel have attracted visitors seeking a few moments of peace, especially at sunset. It’s free to enter, and remember to sign the guest log to mark your visit.
Mount Alvernia Trail, Cat Island
5. Stocking Island, Great Exuma
Delightful day out from Exuma
适合： 家庭, 冒险
The small Stocking Island packs a huge variety of scenery to enjoy over a range of 2- to 4-mile looping trails. Winding from beaches to hillsides, salt flats to rocky coves, and the relief of a shady forest, these well-marked routes provide opportunities for self-guided tours of the finest Bahamian landscapes.
Easily accessed via water taxi or boat from George Town, Stocking Island is a great stop for a day out hiking. If you don’t want to carry your own snacks, there are a few casual eateries to choose from. Grab a treat like a hamburger or conch salad to keep you fueled on your trek.
Stocking Island, Great Exuma
6. Queen’s Highway Trail, Eleuthera
A calming coastal trek
适合： 情侣/夫妇, 冒险
The Queen’s Highway Trail offers a serene and scenic experience along a mostly flat, easy-to-navigate path. As the name suggests, the route runs alongside the Queen’s Highway from near Governor’s Harbour to Tarpum Bay. As it’s a public footpath rather than an official park, it’s free to enter, but you’ll have to stop by a nearby town to find facilities. Consequently, the hike is best suited for guests staying on the island.
The rewards of this lengthy stretch are a series of spectacular Atlantic and Caribbean vistas. The highway has very little traffic, so soak up the coastal landscapes of this long, slender island in peace.
Queen’s Highway Trail, Eleuthera
7. Abaco National Park & Mangrove Trails
Gorgeous forests full of wildlife
适合： 照片, 冒险
With an enormous 20,500 acres of Caribbean pines and coppice woodland, Abaco National Park offers a prime location for forest bathing. The untouched beauty and peaceful trails are home to a variety of bird species, so listen out for warblers, woodpeckers, and Abaco Parrots. Bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens to see more of these pretty little birds.
To learn more about the ecology of the park, book a tour with a naturalist. Hike or kayak through the mangroves as the guide points out particular highlights and tells you more about the local wildlife.
Abaco National Park & Mangrove Trails
8. Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, Eleuthera
An outdoor education
适合： 家庭, 照片
The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve is a great spot for a half-day outing that brings together native Bahamian plant and tree species in an easily accessible attraction. The focus is education, so you’ll find insect displays at the welcome center and display boards explaining how plants growing here were used in traditional medicine. There’s even an edible history garden with examples of fruits and vegetables native Lucayans would have eaten.
To extend your wandering, take the Ethan’s Tower loop up the hill and climb the observation tower for epic views over the tree canopy. The total loop adds an extra 45 minutes of walking to your visit. Spend some time on the viewing platform taking in the phenomenal landscape.
地址： Banks Rd, Governor’s Harbour, Bahamas
Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, Eleuthera
9. Primeval Forest National Park
A glimpse into the past
适合： 家庭, 照片
If you’re staying in Nassau, it’s a simple 30-minute drive to Primeval Forest National Park and well worth the effort. The tall, old-growth trees form a tropical hardwood forest, and the landscape is dotted with limestone caverns. This is what the whole island would have looked like when the Lucayan people lived here.
You’ll find 7.5 acres of shady wilderness to hike in, with boardwalks, bridges, and steps to guide you through the landscape. There are also handy amenities available, including restrooms, parking, and a visitor’s center. Don’t miss admiring the dramatic limestone sinkholes, some of which are 30 ft deep.
开放时间 Wednesday from 9 am to 4 pm, Friday–Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm (Closed Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday)
Primeval Forest National Park
10. Hatchet Bay Cave Trail, Eleuthera
Adventures in the dark
适合： 与众不同, 冒险
For something a bit different, why not take a guided hike through a long, limestone cave? The Hatchet Bay Cave Trail offers a dark but still tropically warm adventure with dramatic rock formations, narrow passages, and winding routes over 3 levels. Even with your own headlamp, it’s best to book a guide to help you scramble your way through this mile-long trek.
Along the way, you may find century-old graffiti, stalactites and stalagmites, and a population of local bats. When you emerge back into daylight, it’s just a short walk to Surfers Beach. Alternatively, take the 5-minute drive to Alice Town and a range of dining options.
地址： Alice Town, Bahamas
Hatchet Bay Cave Trail, Eleuthera
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