The best hikes on St. Martin

Pic Paradis

Difficulty: Hard | Length: 3.1 miles | Estimated time: 2h 30m | Destination: Map

At 424 meters (1,391 feet), Pic Paradis is the highest point on St. Martin, and it earns its reputation as the island's signature hike. The trail climbs through dense tropical forest, expect hummingbirds and an occasional monkey, before opening onto panoramic views of Marigot, Orient Bay, and on a clear day, Anguilla.

Local tip: you don't have to earn the whole climb. Drive up Rue de Pic Paradis to where the road ends, and you'll cut roughly 75% of the distance, leaving just the final quarter on foot. Good to know if you want the view without the full trek.

Anse Marcel to Petite Cayes

Difficulty: Moderate | Length: 3.4 miles | Estimated time: 2h 00m | Destination: Map

This one earns its "beach lover's dream" label. Starting from the quiet village of Anse Marcel, the trail runs through shaded forest before dropping onto Petite Cayes, a secluded beach on the island's northern tip with a clear view across to Anguilla.

Park at this spot in Anse Marcel, walk in toward the Petite Cayes Beach, take in the view from the lookout point, then simply retrace your steps to the car. It's the most scenic way to experience the trail. (You can also complete the full loop, but that means roughly 30% of the return leg is along the road rather than through the forest: walkable, just less picturesque.)

Local tip: Pair it with a lunch at Anse Marcel Beach Restaurant, right where the trail starts and ends.

Fort Louis

Difficulty: (Flipflop) easy | Length: 0.06 miles | Estimated time: 10m | Destination: Map

This list would not be complete without Fort Louis, the historic French military fort overlooking Marigot: and this one isn't really a hike at all, which is exactly the point.

From the center of Marigot, you can be at the fort in under 10 minutes. Park here, right at the base, and climb the short but steep staircase (about 90 steps) to the top. In exchange for a few minutes of effort, you get a 360-degree view over Marigot, the harbor, and Nettle Bay.

Local tip: go up early, before the heat sets in, then head into Marigot for fresh pastries.