Barbados / Special Interests / Hiking & Walking

Hiking has become a fairly mainstream activity on Barbados in recent years and there are a couple of options to choose from for the eco enthusiasts and those who are adventurous types or want a less sedentary way to see the island.

The Barbados National Trust offers an excellent hiking option ‘Hike Barbados’, which meets at points of interest and beauty spots across the island on Sundays throughout the year. Morning hikes start at 6am, afternoon hikes at 3.30pm or a full moon hike at 5.30pm. The morning outing is split into four different groups of varying speeds (slow/stop & stare, medium, medium fast and fast/grin & bear) whilst the afternoon/full moon is one group at ‘stop & stare’ speed. Reservations are not required, simply turn up (on time) at the designated meeting spot. The National Trust Sunday hikes are free and all guides work on a voluntary basis. The hikes are an excellent way to meet people from all walks of life and uncover the hidden secrets of Barbados.

See our Barbados Calendar of Events for the Hike Barbados scheduled hike dates and starting points. Please check locally if you require specific directions to starting points.

You can make hiking reservations for other days and times through Hike Barbados' lead guide, Stephen Mendes. He offers personalised hikes for a minimum of 2 persons and group discounts are available.

The Barbados National Trust, also runs the Arbib Nature & Heritage Trail in St Peter. Hikes are available with head guide, Victor Cooke (a volunteer guide for Hike Barbados) by reservation only and can be booked for any day or time. Again there is a minimum of 2 persons on each hike and group discounts are available.

Peach and Quiet’s Walking Week is one of the most original activities in the Caribbean. A daily walk to a different area of the island is led by Adrian Loveridge, who introduces the area with a talk and then he gives a stream of information along the walk itself. The walking is not that strenuous, covering three to five miles each day over three hours or so. Points of interest include nature and the different environments such as the coastlines, forests and mangroves, but also historical aspects of the island such as the story of sugar, the old Barbados railway and, incredibly, an early model of the Iraqi Supergun. Walks are only available as a part of the special Walking Week package. During the week Peach and Quiet will host dinners with interesting Barbadian personalities, say a politician, an educator or a museum curator, who will talk about life on the island.

Recommended clothing: long pants/trousers, cool shirt, sturdy shoes, a hat and high factor sunscreen or sunblock. Take plenty of water to drink.

Please note that the Hike Barbados free Sunday hikes and the reserved/personalised hikes are not covered by insurance and therefore participation or any arrangements you make are at your own risk.

Non-profit organisations and Government links:

The Barbados National Trust, Wildey House, Wildey, St Michael, t 426 2421, natrust@sunbeach.net | www.nationaltrustbarbados.com Office open Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm.