Ram Head Trail

Highlights

• Walk across Salt Pond beach and along desert‑like bluffs

• Blue Cobblestone Beach, covered in polished volcanic stones

• Climb to the promontory for 270‑degree sea views and breezes

• Native cactus gardens and wind‑tortured shrubs along the route
  

Trail statistics

Description

The Ram Head Trail explores the arid southern tip of St. John and offers dramatic coastal scenery. From the Salt Pond Bay parking area, a sandy path skirts the bay before climbing the hillside toward Blue Cobblestone Beach. This small beach, covered in round blue‑gray stones, is a scenic stop; the hike then continues along a narrow ridge with steep drop‑offs to either side. The landscape is desert‑like, with barrel cacti and century plants growing among bleached rocks. After 1 mile and roughly 314 feet of elevation gain, the trail reaches the tip of Ram Head, a promontory jutting into the Caribbean. The view is spectacular - 270 to 360 degrees of turquoise water, with St. Croix sometimes visible to the south. A breeze usually blows here, making it a great place to cool off. Because the path is exposed and rocky, sturdy shoes and plenty of water are essential. Many hikers time their visit for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun. The out‑and‑back route totals about 2 miles, and swimmers often end the hike with a dip in Salt Pond Bay, where sea turtles and colorful fish are common.