Hiking the Rams Head Trail – A three in one experience
Ahoy! And Welcome Aboard!
Only have one full day to explore the island of St, John? No worries! Put hiking the Ram Head Trail on your to-do list and you’ll get a three-in-one experience. Because the trail begins at the far end of Salt Pond Bay Beach and meanders past a beautiful blue cobblestone beach before ascending through several switchbacks to some 200 feet above sea level where the views are magnificent and the air is tantalizingly clear, your day of adventure can include hiking, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Not to mention the scenery is some of the finest in the Caribbean. The Trifecta St. John experience in one stop!!
Whether you hop on public transport (VITRAN) or drive, you’ll need to head to the Salt Pond parking area. Our preferred way is to hop on a Stormy Pirates vessel where we can drop you off near the beach at the beginning of the trail. This hike can be rather sweltering by mid-day, so get an early start and pack all the essentials you’ll need for the day as there aren’t many services in the area. Allow one hour for each direction of the hike, plus additional time if you plan to snorkel at the cobblestone beach.
What To Bring
The Short List:
- Bathing Suit with a Coverup. (Wear it! There are no changing stations at Salt Pond)
- Snorkeling Gear
- Reef-safe Sunscreen and/ or Sun-protective Clothing
- Water (Enough for the trip in and out. More if you plan to spend the day at Salt Pond as there are no concession services there)
- Sturdy Shoes (The trail is rocky and slippery at places), but our craw have done it in flip flops.
The Longer List if you are arriving by car and want to spend the day:
- All Of The Above
- Beach Chairs (If you need them for comfort when resting on the beach)
- A Cooler (Fill it with food and extra water if you’re spending the day and leave it on the beach as you hike)
- Towels (If you’re opposed to drying off in the sun)
What To Expect
Dress with the day’s activities in mind (think hot & sunny) and wear sturdy shoes. Not only is the Ram Head Trail quite rocky and slippery in places, but you’ll also need to hike the 1 ⁄ 2-mile trail down into Salt Pond. Consider packing a lightweight cooler with drinks and lunch that you can leave on the beach before starting your hike. (While you should never leave valuables unattended, it’s generally safe to leave towels and coolers behind while you hike.). If you are arriving by boat, Lime Out is a great lunch stop after the hike.
Wear your bathing suit and cover up with whatever you’ll feel comfortable in for the hike as there aren’t any changing stations. There is a port-a-potty as you enter Salt Pond, but that’s about it for comfort stations. (Don’t worry – the scenery will make up for your day of “roughing it.”) As always, lather up with reef-safe sunscreen and bring plenty of water with you for the trip to and from the summit. Hopefully, your snorkel gear is in a carrying case that you can sling over your shoulder as you won’t want to miss the underwater scenery at the blue cobblestone beach. Though the water is generally calm at the cobblestone beach, I have encountered rough surf and would only recommend entering the water if you’re a capable swimmer as it is quite deep.
First Things First
Drop whatever you don’t need to carry at the beach on Salt Pond Bay. Then head to the eastern end of the beach (opposite from where you entered). The trail begins as small rocks and coral rubble along the eastern side of the bay. Although narrow, you should be able to pick out the path.
After about 100 yards, a more defined trail emerges. The path is surrounded by a cactus forest, mostly barrel cactus, which has a bright red bloom. The trail will ascend to an elevation of about 100 feet and then descend again to sea level, so be prepared for a vigorous workout.
When you descend back to sea level, you’ll be at the blue cobblestone beach. Because the entry into the water is a bit tricky, few people bother to snorkel here. Look for the large black rocks at the north end of the beach which is your best entry point because the bottom is cobblestone and far less jagged than other entry points. (Do not touch the yellow fire coral encrusting the rocks as it will sting!)
Snorkel around the rocks and head towards the point. The water is deep but very clear. I’ve seen everything from turtles and sharks to blue tang and trumpet fish in these waters. If you’re lucky, you might just see a giant spotted ray glide by. Don’t stay too long though because you still have to hike the remaining part of the trail to the cliffs of the Ram Head Trail.
Look for the trail at the south end of the beach. From here, you’ll proceed through several switchbacks to the saddle area of the peninsula (low point between two hills). A fault line cuts across the peninsula here and the views are dramatic. Look down on the eastern side and you’ll see waves crashing onto the beach between the cliffs. Yet, the view to the west is tranquil and serene.
The eastern coast of Ram Head Point is exposed to the tradewinds. Set sail from here and your next stop is Africa. To truly appreciate the moment, take some really deep breaths. Notice anything? Supposedly, the air here is some of the cleanest and freshest in the world.
To reach the tip of Ram Head Point keep following the switchbacks, and take note of the rock that makes up this headland because it’s the oldest rock on the island.
Historical Tidbits
Just before the slave rebellion of 1733, this area provided a hideout for numerous runaway slaves. Although the area is quite rugged and inhospitable, the slaves found water in the cacti and the waters around the point provided excellent fishing.
It’s rumored that a group of warriors from the Akwamu tribe who rebelled against slavery were surrounded here in 1733 and rather than face capture, they committed suicide.
I must admit that when you stand at Ram Head Point, surrounded by the swirling wind, the sounds of crashing surf and the expanse of blue sky that feels almost close enough to touch, there’s a quiet, yet persistent, feeling that this land is sacred. Perhaps that’s why so many people make the trek to this destination. Hands down, it’s an experience that will stay with you for a long time.
Retreat To Relaxation
Follow the trail back to Salt Pond and you’re free to indulge in a bit of sunbathing and gentle snorkeling. The water here is particularly clear and there are always a few turtles around. Follow the rocks on the eastern side of the bay and you’ll see multitudes of fish, many of which are in large schools. Snorkeling is always a grab-bag type of experience so maybe you’ll get lucky and spot an octopus like I did – and it was only feet from the shoreline!
Fun Add-ons
If you drove here and you have to head back to Coral Bay to make your way home, why not stop for dinner or drinks along the way? There’s Rhumb Lines (a Pacific Rim restaurant), Ekaete Pink Corner, Salty Mongoose Pizza & Rum Bar, Surf Club Cantina (formerly Wok on the Beach), and the iconic Skinny Legs. If you came by boat, Lime Out, the floating taco boat is just around the corner and is always a favorite lunch stop with our guests.
End Notes: If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends. Then visit our website and book a boat day with Stormy Pirates Charters – we’ll put the gang plank down and escort you in style.