Let’s talk about this spectacular hike to America Hill Ruins! Will and I spent ten dreamy days exploring the lovely island of St. John because we wanted to see Virgin Islands National Park.Make sure to read our complete Guide to Virgin Islands National Park.The island itself is very tiny (about the same size as Manhattan), so if you find yourself staying on the island as long as we did, you’ll soon realize that you’ll be eating at the same two/three restaurants in town and getting to know the locals that work there.We did a lot of research before embarking on our trip and found it disheartening that a lot of the hikes we were interested in weren’t very well marked – either on the map or on the trail.So, after a few days of going it alone, we decided to ask the locals about their favorite hikes in Virgin Islands National Park. One of our waitresses recommended hiking the Cinnamon Bay Trail to America Hill Ruins.The trail begins at Cinnamon Bay, it actually veers off from the Cinnamon Bay trail, so you can park directly at the trailhead. The entire hike is about one uphill mile and takes an hour.The ruins at the top were my favorite from the entire trip so I can’t recommend this hike enough!So, without further ado or blabbing, here are some photos of the ruins. Hope you enjoy!
The weather in the Virgin Islands during the month of August hovers around 80 degrees and feels very muggy (or, as my mother in law would say, “it’s like a nice warm blanket!”).I recommend bringing an extra water bottle with you whenever you hike because the heat takes it out of you! We were so sweaty by the time we got to the top! The tradeoff, however, is the warmth of the water – oh man, just thinking about it makes me homesick for the island.The water is SO warm! Will calls it bathwater.
About the America Hill Ruins
A little history for the curious. These ruins date back to the 18th century when St. John was a Danish colony. America Hill was one of many sugar plantations that operated on the island, powered by enslaved labor. The stone structures you see at the top are what remain of the factory buildings where sugar cane was processed into sugar, molasses, and rum.What makes this spot special (beyond the history) is the view from the top. You get a sweeping panorama of the Caribbean that’s worth the hike all on its own. The ruins themselves are hauntingly beautiful. Moss-covered stone walls, crumbling archways, tropical trees growing right through the foundations. It feels like stepping into another century.There are dozens of ruins scattered across St. John, but these were our absolute favorite. Something about the climb up, the isolation, and the view at the top made it feel like a real discovery.Trail Details
The hike starts at Cinnamon Bay on the North Shore Road. You’ll follow the Cinnamon Bay Trail for a bit before veering off onto the America Hill spur. The whole thing is about one mile uphill. It’s not a long hike, but it’s steep the entire way and the heat makes it feel longer than it is.Plan for about an hour to get up and back, more if you want to really explore the ruins (and you will). The trail isn’t always well-marked, which is part of why we recommend asking locals for directions. Our waitress at dinner one night is the one who pointed us here, and it ended up being the highlight of our trip.Wear closed-toe shoes and bring at least a liter of water per person. The trail is mostly shaded but the humidity is brutal, especially in summer.Both Will and I HIGHLY recommend this hike if you’re on St. John. It was a very memorable experience for both of us! I hope you enjoyed the pictures!Make sure to read our complete Guide to Virgin Islands National Park.Until next time!AntoninaThe Virgin Islands National Park has more information on the historical ruins scattered throughout St. John.
More National Parks
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Frequently Asked Questions
The trail to America Hill Ruins is about one mile each way with steady uphill. It takes roughly an hour round trip, or longer if you spend time exploring the ruins at the top. The trailhead is at Cinnamon Bay on the North Shore Road.
The America Hill Ruins are the remains of an 18th-century Danish sugar plantation on St. John. You can see the old factory walls, stone foundations, and archways where sugar cane was processed. The ruins sit on a hilltop with panoramic views of the Caribbean.
We think it’s one of the best hikes in Virgin Islands National Park. The combination of history, views, and the feeling of discovering something off the beaten path makes it special. A local recommended it to us and it ended up being the highlight of our trip.
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