Virgin Islands National Park

Cinnamon Bay Trails

strenuous History BuffsFamiliesShort Hike Lovers
0.5 mi Distance
30 min Estimated Time
roundtrip Trail Type

What to Expect

This is really two trails wearing a trench coat. The nature loop is a breezy half-mile boardwalk stroll through the crumbling stone walls of an 18th-century sugar plantation, where bay rum trees fill the air with a spicy-sweet scent that beats any department store cologne counter. Kids and wheelchair users can handle this stretch without breaking a sweat. But hang a right past the ruins and the Cinnamon Bay Trail proper kicks your legs into gear — a steep, shaded mile climbing through dense tropical forest toward Centerline Road. The canopy keeps the Caribbean sun off your neck, but the humidity does not care about shade. You'll pass massive kapok trees with buttress roots that look like they're melting into the earth. History buffs and plant nerds will linger at the ruins; cardio junkies will push uphill and feel earned satisfaction at the ridgeline.
History BuffsFamiliesShort Hike LoversPlant NerdsBeach Combo

Safety Advisory

The uphill trail section is loose and rocky with exposed roots — wear proper hiking shoes, not flip-flops, and watch your footing especially after rain when the packed dirt turns slick.

Humidity in the forest canopy is intense year-round. Even on a short hike, dehydration sneaks up fast — carry more water than you think you need for a one-mile trail.

Trail Details

Distance 0.5 miles round-trip
Difficulty strenuous
Estimated Time 30 min
Trail Type roundtrip
Pets Dogs allowed (leash required)
Season Year-round
Trailhead Cinnamon Bay Trails

Pro Tips

Trail Tip

Start at the plantation ruins for the flat nature loop first, then tackle the uphill trail while your legs are still fresh — the climb east of the ruins gains elevation fast through switchbacks that get slippery after rain.

Trail Tip

The bay rum trees along the boardwalk have glossy, dark-green leaves — crush one gently between your fingers for the full aromatic experience that put St. John on the colonial trade map.

Trail Tip

Park at the Cinnamon Bay day-use area early (before 9 AM) since spots fill fast in peak season, and combine the hike with a post-trail swim at Cinnamon Bay beach, which is steps from the trailhead.

Photos

Getting There

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1 campgrounds, 20 trails, 423K annual visitors

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