Ins & Outs of SVG 2020

DISCOVER ST. VINCENT 37 INS OUT St. Vincent For a memorable tour of the island, contact Sam’s Taxi & Tours – their informative tours are the perfect way to get “off-the-beaten-track” and discover the ‘real’ St. Vincent. Guides are always recommended for the various hiking excursions, especially for Trinity Falls (temporarily closed at time of writing), the Vermont Nature Trail and La Soufrière volcano. Tel (784) 456-4338 | Cell (784) 528-2240 Layou Petroglyph Park A cultural landmark with an indigenous petroglyph, the Rutland River and a forested trail. The site is pre- Columbian in origin, of unknown age. The Layou petroglyph most likely dates to between AD300 and AD600. Cumberland Nature Trail This nature trail passes through the Cumberland Valley, traversing a variety of forest vegetation and farmlands. Its biggest attractions are the rainforest and the opportunity for bird and other wildlife watching. Dark View Falls The major attraction here is its two waterfalls – a twin fall experience is uncommon for one site. The geology and hydrology giving existence to the falls and the vegetation are also part of the site’s heritage. Lava and pyroclastic flows produced the rock formation and sustain the cascading water. A natural bamboo bridge spans the tumbling river. Black Point Park Black Point Park is home to the unique Jasper Tunnel. This tunnel is over 300 feet long and links Grand Sable with Byera Bay. The tunnel was ordered built by the British and constructed by slave labour around 1815 to provide an access route for sugar exports. The black sand beach and picnic area is thickly vegetated with coconut trees and is one of the most popular recreation sites on the island. Vermont Nature Trail This trail starts near the top of Buccament Valley and leads through tropical rainforest. There is a chance of seeing (or hearing) the St. Vincent Parrot and the Whistling Warbler, both unique to St. Vincent and strictly protected nationally and internationally. This is also the habitat for the House Wren, the common Black Hawk, Cocoa Thrush, the Crested Hummingbird, Redcapped Green Tanager, Green Heron and other interesting species. La Soufrière Volcano Trail La Soufrière rises majestically to over 4,000 feet. A tour takes you along the picturesque windward coast, through banana and coconut plantations to where the foot trail begins. You travel along steep volcanic ridges verdant with bamboo and tropical trees. This is a day’s journey for energetic hikers, who should leave early in the morning, as the ascent to the crater is about 3.5 miles long. The expedition can continue down the west side trail and terminate 10 to 12 miles later in Chateaubelair on the leeward (west) side. There are gazebos, washrooms, a site office and parking at Bamboo Range on the eastern side of the volcano. Elroy Browne gives excellent informative tours of both the Vermont Nature Trail and La Soufrière Volcano Trail. In 2017 he was awarded Most Outstanding Tour Guide by the SVG Tourism Authority. Tel: (784) 492-2191 Dark View Falls Photo: Calvert Jones Most Outstanding Tour Guide