As Told by Ali

Here’s your guide for discovering Antigua by foot! Whether you’re here for an adventure or looking for other things to do on island, you should consider adding a hike to your itinerary. There’s lots of different trails around the island, ranging in difficulty, however these two are my absolute favourites.

Conveniently, they are located within the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park (English Harbour). English Harbour is a hub for activity, ranging from food to nightlife, however adventure awaits with these two scenic trails. Luckily, they can be combined, which is what we decided to do. These are the Lookout trail and Carpenter’s Rock trail.

Trail #1: Lookout

If you’ve googled anything about Antigua and Barbuda, I’m pretty sure you’ve come across Shirley Heights Lookout. So of course, you can guess where the lookout trail leads to. This is one of Antigua’s most known spots on island. It is a restored military lookout and gun battery with panoramic views. It’s the picture perfect spot overlooking English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour. On a perfectly clear day you can see the island of Montserrat. Shirley Heights is also popular for their Sunday evening BBQ and sunset party. You should definitely add that to your itinerary for a different vibe, however let’s get into the hiking details!

Trail Details:

Starting Point: Galleon Beach
Distance: 1/2 Mile
Time: 30-45 minutes (based on pace)

There’s two ways you can start this trail, either from the lookout down to the beach or from the beach up to the lookout point. We opted for starting on the beach to get the reward of the views from the lookout. It would also connect us to our second trail, Carpenter’s Rock. The trail is marked at both points and the path is cleared.

It was a fairly easy hike with a mix of rocky pathways and dirt trails as you ascend. What I like the most are the views along the way. About halfway, the canopy opens granting breathtaking views of English Harbour. We definitely had to stop here and get in a few photographs.

By the time we got to the top, Shirley Heights was open so we were able to purchase water from the bar. They also had snacks available, restrooms and benches to rest.

Trail #2: Carpenter’s Rock

After resting for a bit and getting more shots of the iconic view from Shirley Heights Lookout, we ventured towards the entrance to find our next trail. This is where things get interesting as you’re descending towards Carpenter’s Rock. It’s a natural rock formation along the coastline named for its unique shape.

Trail Details:

Starting Point: Parking Area for Shirley Heights Lookout (on the right) before a graveyard
Distance:0.87 Miles
Time: 40-60 mins (based on pace)

If you’re afraid of heights, I may not recommend this trail for you. Although you get gorgeous views of the coastline and views of the sea, it is a moderate descent and rocky terrain. Seeing and hearing the waves crash against the rocks may also be a bit intimidating (it was for me). However, once you descent and walk through a patch of cacti you can’t help but enjoy being outdoors.

The path is cleared with a few arrows painted on rocks guiding you to the right direction. As you get near to the bottom, you’ll see Carpenter’s Rock where person’s may be fishing or swimming in a pool. As you continue pass the rocks the trail will lead you to the shores of Galleon Beach.

Tips for Hiking in Antigua

• Essentials to pack: water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses
• Best to hike early in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat
• Don’t just rush through the hike, but also enjoy your surroundings; go for a swim at Galleon Beach or relax a bit by Carpenter’s Rock
• Check the weather beforehand
• Hike with friends or join a group for added safety

What made it special for me were definitely the views and hence why I believe these two trails are some of the most scenic on island. We’re on a mission to do monthly hikes so stay tuned for more adventures. Share your hiking experiences with me in the comments, especially if you’ve done any of these trails.