6 Island Hikes to Add to Your Bucket List

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If you’re craving warm weather and sandy beaches, and looking to add some physical activity to your next island vacation than look no further than these six unbelievable island hikes.

1. Waitukubuli National Trail

A view of Scotts Head peninsula from Dominica’s Waitukubuli National Trail. Photo credit: Flickr/Liam Quinn

The Caribbean island nation of Dominica, home to about 300 miles of trails, is known as “the Nature Isle.” Waitukubuli National Trail, the Caribbean’s first long distance walking trail, runs the entire length of the island and gives hikers a glimpse of all that the island has to offer.

The 115-mile trail is made up of 14 segments, and showcases the island’s 365 rivers, 12 waterfalls, lush rainforests, hot springs and the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Cruz Bay Walks

Caneel Hill Overlook, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 1956, about 55 percent of St. John has been protected as Virgin Islands National Park, administered by the U.S. National Park Service. Photo credit: Flickr/Navin75

St. John is the smallest, least populated and least developed of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands. And about 55 percent of the island is covered by the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park. With nearly 10,000 acres on the island, you’ll have plenty to explore.

Several marked and maintained trails wind their way along the coast through mangrove thickets, onto pebbled beaches and out to rocky overlooks. Other routes take you into the mountains, where you’ll pass through moist and dry tropical forests before reaching summits with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.

3. The Kalalau Trail

Hanakapi’ai Beach from the Kalalau Trail. Photo credit: Flickr

The Kalalau Trail is an 11-mile trail that leads from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach along the Na Pali Coast on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. The trail climbs up to towering sea cliffs, drops down to lush valleys and all the way down to sea level. Hawaii is home to a large number of endemic species, or species that can only be found there, so the flora and fauna are sure to delight.

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