Fort Rodney and Signal Peak Loop

The Trail

This moderate hike is only 1.2 miles long with about a 300 foot elevation change. Just remember, there is some up and down hiking as you will climb up to the fort, back down, and then up to Signal Peak. For anyone wanting a shorter trek, it's easy to just go to the fort or the peak instead of walking the whole thing.

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

We started from the parking lot area and headed west toward the fort first. The trail is smooth wide, and even for most of the way to the fort.

Trail heading toward Fort Rodney

U.S. Signal Station on way to fort

There are ramps and steps up to the fort. There is a little lookout point along the way.

The fort is about 0.4 miles from the parking area. On top there are lovely views and the opportunity to climb down to a room below.

 

Looking out toward Signal Peak

 

 

 

If you would like to continue to Signal Peak, go back down the fort and turn left after the signal station. It is about another 0.4 miles to Signal Peak from the fort, with a steeper climb. The trail goes past another few points of interest along the way.

 

Musket Redoubt

 

Trail up to Signal Peak

View from Signal Peak

Looking at Fort Rodney from Signal Peak

Returning to the parking area is about another 0.4 miles from the top of Signal Peak. The trail continues past other structures of interest on its way.

 

 

Directions

This trail is located on St. Lucia. To get there, take the Castries - Gros Islet Hwy to the turn off for Pigeon Island. Drive to the parking lot. GPS Coordinates: N14° 05.555' W60° 57.745'

Caneel Trail

The Trail

This moderate 2.4 mile trail (one way) has about a 775 ft elevation change. It boosts some nice views of the island and surrounding bays from several points along the trail.

Trail Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

We started this trail by walking along the road to the trailhead from the visitor's center. The trail is well marked and easy to  find. It climbs up the hill for about 0.7 miles to the top where a small lookout tower and bench sit. We noticed many interesting plants along the way too.

Bench at top of hill

Lookout at top of hill

 

 

From here, the trail continues along the ridge for about another 0.3 miles before reaching the Tamarind Trail heading down the hill to the road below. We continued along the Caneel Trail though, which eventually heads down to the road below too. It does intersect with the Water Catchment Trail, which can be followed instead for a slightly larger loop if desired. The trails are marked well with signs at the intersections. The trail ends at the road where another trailhead sign labels it here.

 

 

Trailhead at far side of Caneel Trail coming out to road

 

Directions

From the dock where the ferry stops, head past the visitor's center and out to North Shore Rd. Follow this road northeast and continue through the curve northward. The trail starts at the end of this curve and is clearly marked. GPS Coordinates: N18° 20.001' W64° 47.504'