Saba’s Trails are Calling - YOU must Go!

4/30/2021

Highest point of the Dutch Kingdom, Mt Scenery - Images by Kai Wulf Photography

Great work has been done on Saba by the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) staff regarding our Nature Trails.

You thought it was strenuous hiking these trails before; imagine rebuilding and improving them! This crew hasn’t stopped during the pandemic, and now

Saba has some new, impressive, and renovated trails to show for it!

Back in July 2018, they started work on the Mary’s Point (Palmetto Point) trail. (What a project that was!) Palmetto Point was the first settlement formed on Saba in the early-17th Century (c. 1629AD). These first inhabitants had links to pirates, and in 1934, due to heavy erosion in the area, residents of Mary’s Point relocated to The Promised Land.

The SCF crew built over 200 steps to the old village, stabilized the steep slope and took out large boulders. There are now also rope railings on the more challenging parts of the trail.

Trails to Mary's Point (Palmetto Point) - Images by Kai Wulf Photography

Princess Beatrix on her quick hike - Image taken by unknown.

Our Princess Beatrix (our retired Dutch Queen) had one of her first stops at the Mary’s Point trailhead during her one-day visit on a rainy December 12th, 2019.

She went for a quick hike through the rain with her Nordic walking sticks and rain poncho (she is always prepared!) Upon her return, she took off the poncho and then revealed the sign of the new Mary’s Point trail with SCF Director Kai Wulf (who took all these beautiful pictures) and archeologist Jay Haviser

Princess Beatrix unveiling the Mary's Point Sign - Image taken by unknown.

Princess Beatrix by the Mary's Point Sign - Image taken by unknown.

We are thrilled to say - Saba’s Mt. Scenery acquired national park status
(regional, national, and international) in September 2019.
The Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Carola Schouten,
signed the official document at the SCF office.

In January 2020 - Crispeen Trail was completed. This historical track of almost 1KM connected The Bottom to St. Johns and beyond. The trail now has restored walls, foundations, and steps.

Crispeen Trail - Images by Kai Wulf Photography

During the pandemic, the SCF also oversaw the building of boardwalks on the top of Mt. Scenery for hikers to reach different lookout points with greater ease. Of course, it’s still the highest point in the Dutch Caribbean and one of our claims to fame.