Hiking in Grenada – waterfalls, hot springs and plantation walks

I spent a week on the island during the Grenada Chocolate Fest but was also keen to experience some of the hiking in Grenada. My hiking guide Simon took me to some of the beauty spots that are known only to the locals.

Read on for my adventures in Grenada, from mountain hikes, waterfalls and hot sulphur springs. Enjoy easy plantations walks that combine a gentle stroll with chocolate tasting and beautiful scenery.

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Grenada may have its share of white sand beaches, but this Island of Spice also offers a more adventurous side. Connect with the wild beauty of the Caribbean and explore Grenada’s lush forest reserves, cascading waterfalls and hot springs.

Grenada hiking – Seven Sisters Waterfall

Let’s start our Grenada hiking tour with the Seven Sisters waterfalls. Also known as the St Margaret Falls, it’s one of the best known waterfalls in Grenada.

This hike is included in many island tours. Waterfalls are located only 40 minutes drive from the island capital of St George’s. The Grand Etang National Park in the centre of the island is well known for its hiking trails. The Seven Sisters falls are one of the park’s most popular attractions.

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The walk to the waterfall is down a steep but otherwise well maintained set of steps. It takes about 20-30 minutes to arrive at the waterfalls. There are a couple of interconnecting pools as you arrive at the end of the walk.

The upper pool is where most people swim to enjoy the water cascading down from the waterfall. Above these two pools, the path leads steeply up towards further pools and cascades.

Honeymoon Falls

The heart shaped Honeymoon Falls is the third pool you come to. This is a steep and more adventurous hike that may be best taken with a guide.

My Grenada hiking trails guide advised that the route above the two lower pools involves wading through the water and climbing up through waterfalls. So, you would expect to get completely wet and need to waterproof everything you take accordingly.

This would be a fun hike for the more adventurous hiker. You’d need to be completely prepared with equipment and be willing to be soaked. As we had other things to see I decided not to attempt the upper part of the trail.

To get to the Seven Sisters Waterfall, there is a bus to the Grand Etang park, but it’s then quite a walk to the trailhead. If your time is limited I’d recommend that you go as part of a group tour. Drive with a hire car or hire an expert hiking guide like Simon who can take you to this and other hiking locations in one day.

For this hike I recommend trainers or hiking shoes that you don’t mind getting soaked. Be prepared that they may end up very muddy, although there are locals at the trail who will clean them for you in return for a tip.

You also need to wear your swimmers under shorts and t-shirt. Your clothes may get a dirty if it’s been raining and very muddy underfoot, although the trail was quite dry when I was there.

Hiking to the Cross or Gangadi Waterfall

A less visited waterfall was one that Simon of Hidden Treasures took me to, which he said is known as the Cross Waterfall or Gangadi waterfall. We reached it by following a stony track with views over the forest covered hillside, then a short hike to the waterfall.

Like the Seven Sisters waterfall, the water cascaded over the rock into a pool. The pool was deep enough to stand and have a little swim in, with a Grenadian flag pinned up behind the waterfall.

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To be honest I’m not really sure where this waterfall was, other than that it was in the north of the island where the terrain of Grenada is wilder than the south. It was one of those hidden places that’s probably well known to locals and hiking guides like Simon. It’s not well documented for tourists, so best to ask a guide to take you there.

Hiking from Grand Etang Lake to Mount Qua Qua in Grenada

Another well known hike in Grenada that’s easy to find and moderately challenging starts from Grand Etang Lake. There’s a parking area here and an ornamental Chinese pagoda on the lakeside.

The lake is within the Grand Etang Park and is the crater of a long extinct volcano. There is some occasional volcanic activity when bubbles have been seen rising through the water.

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From the seating area above the parking area, the path leads up through the forest on a trail that’s not signposted but is easy to follow. In places the trail is quite narrow with steep drops to one side.

It meanders up and down with some stretches that were slippery and had to be navigated with care. I was pleased to have a hiking pole to steady me on the uneven stretches.

Scenic views of Grand Etang Lake

As the trail ascends, there are a few places where there is a gap in the trees to allow a view of Grand Etang Lake below. After we got the view of the lake, the trail continued and a further hour’s hiking would have taken us to the summit of Mount Qua Qua with views over the whole island.

I was finding the trail quite slippery, and we had other parts of the island to see. We decided not to continue right to the summit and returned by the same path to the lake shore.

I’d ideally allow half a day to hike this trail, so that you can take your time in getting to the summit. Consider having a picnic at the top and then return to the lake.

Because of the steep and more challenging nature of the trail, I would not want to walk this one alone but would either go with a group or a guide. As the trail can be muddy and uneven I’d advise hiking shoes or well supported trainers. A walking pole or stick will be very helpful too.

This trail would be good one to combine with a visit to the Seven Sisters Waterfall if you have a car, since they are both in the Grand Etang National Park.

Where to stay while Hiking in Grenada – Petite Anse

Petite Anse Grenada – a welcoming boutique hotel in the wild north of the island

For the days I spent hiking in Grenada, I was based at Petite Anse, a pretty, boutique hotel on the northern coast of the island. This part of Grenada has a much wilder feel than the south. The hotel is situated where the Atlantic and Caribbean seas meet, so the waves crash on the shore and nature feels untamed.

The hotel is popular with travellers who want an authentic Grenadian experience. Locals come up from the south for a weekend getaway, to escape the busier resorts around the island capital St George’s.

Petite Anse has only 13 rooms, most of them in individual cottages. They are set on the hillside, around the central hotel restaurant and bar with its large verandah overlooking the beach.

The hotel was built by Philip and Annie Clift, an English couple who fell in love with Grenada and decided to stay to build a home here, which turned into a hotel.

Now they and Petite Anse are very much part of the community. Annie is involved in local charities and Phillip organises runs with the Hash running club. The welcome is warm and the atmosphere laid back, as they want you to feel at home and relax Grenadian style with “no shoes, no shirt, no worries”

My cottage was simply furnished with a four poster bed, wooden furniture and adjoining shower room. A hammock and verandah overlooked the palm trees and beach below.

There’s a quirky British charm here, with a huge overblown arrangement of tropical flowers on the table laden with magazines and books, that was reminiscent of an English country house.

Locally grown cuisine

The food is excellent at Petite Anse and most of the fruit and vegetables are grown in the hotel’s own gardens or by small local farmers that they work with. There’s an all day menu of salads, sandwiches and snacks.

A more formal dinner menu offers seafood and international dishes that nod to the local flavours and cuisine. Coffee and cakes are also served in the afternoon, so this is a good hotel to call in while exploring the north of the island, even if you are not staying there.

Philip and Annie are extremely welcoming hosts. If you are interested in the local community they are happy to show you what’s going on nearby. Their pets also feature at the hotel, as Annie loves her dogs. She has adopted Darius, a donkey from the nearby island of Carriacou, who is on loan to a local farmer but gets regular visits.

The hotel is very welcoming but totally unstuffy and will appeal to those with an adventurous spirit, who are looking for an authentic and unspoiled Caribbean experience with a little luxury and comfort thrown in.

Petite Anse Hotel Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Walk to beach from Petite Anse

The beach below Petite Anse can be quite windy and wild. But, there is a nearby beach in a sheltered cove that makes a lovely walk from the hotel.

Every Sunday, there is a guided walk for guests from the hotel to Duquesne Bay. At other times you could either drive there yourself, or ask directions from the hotel if you decide to stop there for lunch.

Annie kindly drove me to see the beach, which was very much a local’s spot. It’s a place where small fishing boats are launched and local children enjoy a game of beach cricket.

There’s a small beach bar kiosk that had just opened when we were there. You may be able to buy a drink and relax for a bit while having a chat to the locals.

Leaper’s Hill in Grenada

While staying at Petite Anse, I visited nearby Sauteurs, the main town in the north of the island although it’s certainly not a big place. It’s not strictly a hike, but is certainly walkable from Petite Anse. There’s a long beach with a few rum shacks that are mostly for locals.

The name Sauteurs means “leaper” in French, the town being named after Leaper’s Hill. This local landmark can easily be visited as part of a hiking excursion or tour around the north of Grenada.

If you walk through the churchyard you’ll find a memorial cross. At this spot in 1651 over 40 Carib people, who were the original inhabitants of the island, threw themselves off the cliff to try and escape the French soldiers who had them cornered.

River Antoine Rum Distillery in Grenada

One of the most interesting hikes in Grenada started at the River Antoine Rum Distillery, which is worth a visit in its own right. I love to combine hiking with some tasting of the local specialities. Although perhaps any rum tasting is best left until the end of your hike!

The distillery visit is included on many island tours or can easily be arranged by your hiking guide. If you arrive independently there’s a small charge for an informal tour with rum tasting at the end.

Beware as the 75% alcohol Rivers Rum they distill here is so strong you can’t take it on the plane. The rum has a strong local following, but as they say,“be careful as even the air here can get you drunk!”

The distillery was started in 1785 and as you walk around it seems that not much has changed in the production methods. We had a look at the aqueduct that carries water from the river a couple of miles away and through a series of sluices is directed to power the water wheel.

Crushing the sugar cane

The same wheel has been used to crush the sugar cane for 200 years. This makes it the oldest functioning water-propelled distillery not only in Grenada, but throughout the Caribbean.

The local sugar cane is crushed to release the juice. A short railway track moves the carts of bagasse (the waste crushed cane) to be dumped in a huge heap. It is burned in the furnace that boils the sugar cane juice or used as a fertilizer on the fields.

After the cane juice is reduced to syrup through boiling it’s left to ferment naturally through the yeast in the air. It’s then distilled in huge copper stills that are cooled with river water.

The whole process is delightfully low tech with the controls coming through the expertise of the workers that has built up through generations. The rum is so popular that all the production is consumed on the island, so this is not one you’ll see outside Grenada. However, you can pick up a bottle of the marginally less potent 69% proof Rivers Rum at the airport.

Beside the driveway to the distillery there’s an open sided restaurant, where they serve drinks and traditional lunchtime dishes. It’s worth a stop for lunch if you happen to be there at the right time.

Hiking to Lake Antoine

From the distillery, we walked up the farm track to the high ground. We passed the overgrown ruins of a Great House – the former home of a plantation owner or manager.

The Great House would typically be built at the highest point of a plantation, where the owner could get a good view over what was happening in the fields. Sadly this one had been destroyed by a combination of house fire and firepower during the American intervention on Grenada in 1983.

Only a few of the walls and an impressive porch remained, from where we could stand and view the sea in the distance.

The track continued down the hill towards Lake Antoine, passing a line of mango trees which are often used to mark the boundary line in old estates. There are so many mangoes in Grenada, that during the mango season in May/ June they are in plentiful supply everywhere.

Fruit trees abound

You can pick juicy ripe mangoes up from the ground as we did on our walk. As we reached Lake Antoine itself, Simon pointed out other different trees that had been planted on the slopes of the lake. We saw soursop, guava and breadfruit; as Simon told me “we always have a fruit in season in Grenada”.

Like Grand Etang Lake, Lake Antoine is formed in the crater of an extinct volcano and surrounded by reeds and water plants around the lake shore. For this reason it’s not somewhere you can swim.

It is a haven for wildlife and an important resting point for migrating birds such as flamingo, albatross and ibis. As we walked through the grassland sloping down to the lake, we could see the remains of a building that had been intended as a bird hide as this lake is a favourite with bird watchers.

The path took us up to the high ground above the lake where there’s a farm track. We got a great view back down on the lake, then returned via the coastal road to the River Antoine Rum distillery, where we had parked the car.

Sulphur Springs Waterfall in Grenada

As you might have realised, there is some low level volcanic activity on Grenada. The Kick ’em Jenny submarine volcano in the sea to the north of Grenada also rumbles occasionally.

In the north of the island there are a few places where the activity is manifested in hot springs and a warm sulphur waterfall. My guide Simon of Hidden Treasures took me to these on one of the hikes.

This was a medium level hike in the north of the island on forest trails that are often slippery and steep. In some places the path had slipped away or a tree fallen across the route.

We crossed a couple of shallow rivers, hopping across the large boulders and reached an area of shallow pools that were tinted orange with the sulphur. The pools were filled from a small waterfall, where the flow from the hot spring had been channeled over a pipe, staining the rock bright orange as it cascaded down.

The water was like a warm bath and the sulphur stained mud is considered very beneficial to rub into the skin. It’s purported to treat skin conditions such as eczema as well as good for general health and well being.

At this particular spot, we found a group of locals who had hiked to the waterfall and were setting up a pot to make a picnic lunch over an open fire. It was fun to wallow for a while in the sulphur pools, before we headed back along the river trail back to the car.

Plantation Walks in Grenada

For those who want a gentle walk to enjoy the natural beauty of Grenada, I recommend that you visit one of the plantations in Grenada. The growers of cocoa and nutmeg often have a nature trail through their property. You can combine a hike with lunch or learn how cocoa is turned into the famous Grenada chocolate.

A walk to the abandoned Great House near Grenada Chocolate Company

The Grenada Chocolate Company was one of the first producers to pioneer bean to bar chocolate on Grenada. They use the cocoa beans supplied by local farmers in the plantations around their processing centre in the village of Hermitage.

While visiting for the Grenada Chocolate Fest event, we took a walk through the plantation in Hermitage to an abandoned Great House. The house had fallen to ruin and seemed to be lost in time.

Walking through the plantation, Grenada Chocolate Company co-founder Edmond pointed out the nutmegs on the trees with their red nut enclosed by a fleshy green shell. The ground was scattered with the fuchsia pink petals of the cashew nut. We tasted a few of the shiny wax apple fruits with a crisp texture, tasting somewhere between apple and plum.

Our walk brought us to a beautiful old stone house, the former Great House of the plantation. This is the house where the owner or manager would have lived at the heart of the estate.

A stately house in disrepair

The house had fallen into disrepair with plants and trees creeping into the doors and windows. However, we could see the grand staircase, wood panelling and coloured window glass inside.

If you make this walk, it is easily combined with an informal tour of the Grenada Chocolate Company factory. There’s also a visit to their air conditioned shop to buy some of their chocolate and bonbons.

Organise this walk: I walked to the abandoned plantation house as part of an experience day with the Grenada Chocolate Fest. This included a tour of the Grenada Chocolate Company and traditional lunch.

I suggest that you call at the Grenada Chocolate Company to ask if someone can guide you on a tour of the plantation to walk to the abandoned Great House. Or, book a walk with Simon Green from Hidden Treasures hiking tours who can show you this and other nearby walks.

Crayfish Bay Plantation Walk in Grenada

Another plantation walk that I made as part of the Grenada Chocolate Fest was at Crayfish Bay. Estate ‘custodians’ Kim and Lylette run the plantation, chocolate factory and offer simple self catering accommodation.

The cultivation of the cocoa and other plantation crops is run on a co-operative basis. Local farmers lease the land and are paid top price for their organic cocoa.

Crayfish Bay has been a working plantation since the 17th century when the island was under French rule. The molasses factory on this land was called Non Pareil.

In 2004 Hurricane Ivan tore through Grenada, devastating many of the nutmeg trees on which the island’s economy depended. Since then Kim and Lylette have built the estate into a thriving organic farm. It features a mixture of cocoa, fruit and spice trees and more recently a Tree to Bar chocolate production unit.

Chocolate tasting and cocoa tea

Kim guided us on a walk through the plantation up to the original 18th century iron bridge. He stopped at different trees on the way to tell us more about how the cocoa and other spice trees are grown in a mixed planting approach.

Afterwards we enjoyed a chocolate tasting and cocoa tea on the wooden verandah of The Treehouse. This is one of the two self-catering properties that are available to rent on Air B&B.

Guests staying on the plantation are welcome to walk on the trails. You can also participate in regular plantation activities, such as cocoa picking or turning the cocoa. If you would like to visit independently for a walk through the plantation, you can contact Kim and Lylette to make special arrangements.

Crayfish Bay Facebook | Kim Russell | Email: [email protected] | phone: +1 (473) 442 1897

I visited Crayfish Bay Organic Estate as part of the Grenada Chocolate Fest experience. This included a tour of the plantation and chocolate making demonstration as well as lunch at Petite Anse Hotel nearby.

Mount Edgecombe Plantation Walk

The beautiful Mount Edgecombe Plantation Estate is in the parish of St Mark. Set on a lush green hillside overlooking the ocean, it produces cocoa and other spices such as nutmeg.

The 18th century plantation house and other estate buildings have been made into a boutique hotel, which is often booked by large groups. It is surrounded by a vegetable garden, fruit and spice trees.

We took a circular walk around part of the estate and I was intrigued to find along the path a series of well preserved stone carvings. I was told these were made by the original Carib people who lived on Grenada.

There are petroglyph carvings on large boulders in other parts of Grenada. However, it was unusual to see so many unique carvings lying casually beside the path like this.

Our day at Mount Edgecombe Estate included a chocolate tasting as part of Grenada Chocolate Fest. When the hotel is not booked for a private group, you can visit for Sunday lunch on the terrace overlooking the green hillside and the ocean.

This would probably be the best way to visit the Mount Edgecombe for their plantation walk to see the striking collection of Carib stone carvings. Of course you can also contact them to arrange a special visit and check if a walk may be possible. More info: Mount Edgcombe Website

Walks around Belmont Estate in Grenada

Belmont Estate is one of the most established plantations in Grenada. They feature a well organised agro-tourism business which welcomes visitors to the estate.

The plantation dates back to the 18th century and is family run. Cocoa has replaced nutmeg in recent years as the main agricultural crop, following Hurricane Ivan that destroyed so many of the nutmeg trees.

There’s an attractive open-sided restaurant overlooking the fermenting sheds and drying houses, with their long trays of cocoa beans set out to dry in the sun. The plantation has recently started their own small chocolate factory. There’s a shop where you can taste and purchase the different varieties of chocolate produced on the estate.

My favourite was the Pure Grenada chocolate with spices such as nutmeg and ginger. You can also enjoy lunch in the restaurant. They offer local Grenadian cuisine such as callalou soup, spicy Grenadian lunchtime dishes, chocolate cake and home-made nutmeg ice cream.

There are various walks and tours offered at the plantation. These would be suitable for those who want a short stroll with plenty of cultural and culinary interest, rather than those looking for a longer hike.

As well as the classic tour of the plantation property and the chocolate tour, you can experience a garden tour. Visit the estate greenhouses and gardens, to learn about the different plants, trees and flowers and their culinary and medicinal uses.

Learning about organic gardening

The farm tour includes a walk (or vehicle tour is you prefer) around the whole plantations. Learn more about organic farming methods and discover the cocoa trees, fruit orchards.

View the vegetable garden, dry forest and a natural spring around the property. If travelling independently, you should ring or email in advance to check what tours are happening or whether they can be arranged for the day of your visit.

Belmont Estate Grenada | Facebook | Twitter | Email [email protected]

I visited The Belmont Estate Tree as part of the Grenada Chocolate Fest. A Bean to Bar tour of the estate, chocolate themed lunch, tour and tasting of Belmont’s new chocolate factory and shop was offered.

Hotels in the South of Grenada – Calabash Hotel

If you have a week or more in Grenada, I’d recommend splitting your time between the north and south of Grenada which each offer a different experience. The north of Grenada is a great base to do some hiking and explore the wilder, untamed side of the island. Grenada’s south offers gorgeous white sand beaches and a more typical Caribbean experience.

In the south, I stayed at Calabash Hotel Grenada. This gorgeous 5 star luxury hotel overlooks the Lance aux Epines beach in the south of Grenada.

Voted one of the top luxury hotels in Grenada and in the Caribbean, this elegant hotel offers suites in individual white houses, set around a sweeping lawn with flowering shrubs and palm trees.

A restful suite near the sea

My suite close to the sea was one of 30 suites decorated in restful pale shades. Pretty coral lamps and references to the seashore featured in the paintings and cushions. The bathroom was huge and each suite has a verandah area, where you can have breakfast brought to you, or be served in the Beach Club.

While the atmosphere is very peaceful at the hotel, there are sailing boats and kayaks available for guests to use.
The Scubatech Grenada diving centre is on the beach within the hotel grounds. A spa overlooks the gardens, offering yoga and holistic treatments for a luxurious treat on your holiday.

Calabash Hotel overlooks Prickly Bay which is very sheltered and calm for swimming and a haven for yachts. Although I didn’t get the chance to dine in the Rhodes restaurant, it has a top reputation on Grenada for fine dining. There is a piano player or other live music in the evenings.

Calabash Grenada is a hotel where guests come to relax and unwind. It would be ideal for couples of all ages, perfect for honeymooners who want to unwind or older couples looking for a relaxing Caribbean break.

Calabash Grenada Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Information to plan your hiking in Grenada

If you are planning to do some hiking in Grenada, I highly recommend Simon Green from Hidden Treasures. They specialise in hiking tours all around the island as well as organising general tours to cover whatever guests are interest in.

If you are travelling independently, you can join one of Simon’s regular hikes on certain days of the week. Choose from coastal, mountain and waterfall hikes.

Also on offer are some more unusual tours such as a rum tour, honey tour or a bus and hiking tour where you can get to know the locals. All tours can also be completely customised to your interests.

Simon can be contacted by email to arrange a tour Email: [email protected] Mobile: (473) 459-1582

Visitor Information for Grenada

For more information to plan your holiday in Grenada visit the Pure Grenada official tourism website | Twitter | Facebook

For more information about the chocolate festival, visit the Grenada Chocolate fest website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Getting to Grenada from the UK

There are twice weekly flights with both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick airport. More information about flights from USA and other destinations here.

Getting around in Grenada

• If you plan to spend a day or two hiking on Grenada, it is probably easiest to book a guide who has a car and can drive you to all the best hiking spots. Some spots are not easy to find and you need someone who knows where to park and where the trail starts.
• Local buses are inexpensive, cover most of the main routes and are a great way to experience local life. They normally run from 6am – 9pm Monday – Saturday
• Your hotel or restaurant can arrange a local taxi if you need to quickly and efficiently get from place to place.
• It’s easy to hire a car and this will enable you to get around the island easily. However bear in mind that Grenada is hilly, the roads often steep and narrow. You may want to wait until a day or two into your holiday before hiring a car, so that you can acclimatise to the Grenadian roads.
• A good option for days out sightseeing or airport transfers is to hire a vehicle and driver for the day. We recommend Royalty Taxi and Tours. Owner Sheldon Noel drove us around for part of our Grenada stay in their comfortable air conditioned mini van. He is available for full and half day island tours and airport transfers.

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Disclosure: I was invited* to Grenada as a guest of the Grenada Tourism board and the Grenada Chocolate Fest.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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