Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/541/-1/205/;
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Although Anguilla is a small island, only 17 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point, much of it is still uninhabited with excellent opportunities for exploring. Since the island is very narrow at many points it is possible to see both coasts while walking through the low bush and rock formations along the coast. Roads have been cut through much of the bush anticipating building projects but many have been abandoned for now making them excellent places to start your journey.
The roads and bush paths on Anguilla and the rocky cliff areas along the sea coast are very rough and require hiking boots. Also make sure to carry water since the sun can get very hot after about 10: AM in the morning until 4:00 PM in the afternoon. Starting in the East and heading west here are some good opportunities to view Anguilla’s natural sights.
Note: Anguilla is a safe island with friendly people but always take a buddy when hiking in these areas.
Look for Hiking map at the bottom of this article.
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Windward Point Bay
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Windward Point
To start: Park along the dirt road off the main road to Island Harbour. Look for sign to Palm Grove. There is also a new grocery store right at the turn. There are plenty of places to pull off and park but the best is just past the turn to Junks Hole where the old stone foundation sits right on the road. Start walking; there are plenty of dirt tracks to explore along the way.
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Windward Point hill
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You will see: Goats, lizards, a variety of birds and unusual trees that look like naturally formed bonsai plants. The views in this area are spectacular.
This area is largely uninhabited but dirt roads have been created to accommodate dump trucks extracting sand from a pit near the very tip of the island. Since most of the sand is gone the trucks rarely use this road and it is an excellent way to walk to the eastern tip of Anguilla.
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View of Scrub Island from hill.
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Along the way is Captains Bay, a small cove on the Atlantic side of the island. At present there is one very large structure under construction but there are cliff walls to the east of this building with unusual rock formations and crashing surf. By staying along the cliff wall you can walk all the way along the north coast.
Next is Abadam Hole, a very large sink hole just off the north coast. It is hard to find but worth looking for on your journey east.
If you are keeping to the main marl road, the sand pit is next, not really much to see but there is a wild beach just beyond, not good for swimming but great for getting a view of St. Barths to the south. It is also another way to reach Windward Point. Once there it is a fairly easy climb to the top of the rock hill where a light has been placed to warn boaters of the island at night. Across the small waterway is Scrub island and Little Scrub.
Turn around for a view of much of Anguilla and islands to the south.
Savannah Bay to Mimi Bay
To start: Park along the sandy road area behind the sand dunes at Savannah Bay and walk south west along the beach until you reach the rocks. Continue along the coast till you reach a small cove covered with shells. This is Mimi Bay.
You will see: Lots of sea junk, occasionally interesting bottles from who knows where. Interesting rock formations and views of the Caribbean Sea and islands beyond to the south are abundant along this route.
This hike goes along the rocky sea coast. The waves have flattened much of the rocky coast making it bearable for walking. Since this area is the wash up for the sea to the east, you never know what you will find. When you reach Mimi Bay there is an opportunity for shelling. Behind the bay is a small salt pond, no houses, very natural and full of wild life. You can take the dirt track all the way back to East End Village and follow the road all the way back to Junks Hole. It is a good long walk.
Island Harbour through Brimegin
To start: Park along the marl road that connects Island Harbour to Shoal Bay East. This is a marl road most of the way to The Valley.
Problems: This is a good long walk, unfortunately your vehicle is in Island Harbour and you are in The Valley. The return trip is the same road and the alternative is paved road heavily traveled. Might be the time to find someone else with a vehicle willing to park in The Valley and ride out to Island Harbour or Shoal Bay with you.
You will see: Most of this marl road is uninhabited, loaded with goats and wildlife. It is usually very quiet and peaceful. Pitch Apple Hole is right off the road on the way to the Valley. It is a very deep sink hole with a large fig tree growing out of it. Quite a sight.
Whether you start at Island Harbour or Shoal Bay the marl road is usually quiet with very little traffic. There are houses scattered along the way at the beginning and end of the hike but walking through Brimegin you will see only the occasional gardening patch or goat pen. Once you reach The Valley area you will encounter houses, people and traffic and finally the main road in Lower Valley.
Crocus Hill to Limestone Bay
To start: Park near the old cottage hospital in The Valley on Crocus Hill. Begin walking north up Roaches Hill to the marl road to Limestone and Blackgarden Bay.
You will see: Fantastic vistas along the cliff wall of Roaches Hill. Little Bay from a completely different angle and finally Limestone Bay, a beautiful small cove with rock formations along both sides, littered with wild goat herds. Take the cut off road into the small valley and find Blackgarden Bay at the end of a long marl road through tall shade trees. Near Blackgarden is another small cove, no beach but beautiful rock formations and a giant blow hole in the coral rock.
This is a good walk going and coming. The road is an easy walk without any traffic. Very few houses at this time line this wild road. In the small valley live some local cattle grazing in the lush grass area. There are a number of marl roads in this area, all of them leading back eventually to The Valley.
Katouche Valley
To start: Park along the new marl road behind the Government House. The trail starts at the top of the hill and goes towards the sea on the Atlantic side north.
You will see : Katouche is called Anguilla’s rain forest with good reason. The forest here grows tall and lush as the valley if very deep. Along the way you will encounter Iguana cave and an old well built back when there was an attempt to create plantations on this island. Finally you will reach a small salt pond before arriving on the beach.
The walk back is all up hill, be prepared or you can follow the beach to a small resort and follow the road back on the other side of the valley. The road passes through a small development around the rim of the valley and you end up right where you started, just stay on the marl road. If you like trudging through dense forested areas complete with unusual trees and hanging vines, this is the hike for you.
