Hiking
The perfect cone shaped dormant volcano (the Quill) on the southern part of the island and the extinct volcano (Boven) on the northern part of the island offer hikers completely different environmental types, the many trails both easy and difficult gives hikers some great views (Panorama Point, Round the Mountain Trail) and several different nature types to experience. Inside the crater and on the crater rim of the Quill you find rainforest while the vegetation on the outer slopes of the Quill is mainly thorny woodland due to former agricultural activities.
Trails on the Quill
There is a network of 8 trails around the Quill and they offer a variety of hikes, from an easy rambling trail up to the rim, to a more difficult trail to Mazinga Peak or Panorama Point.
The Quill trails
- Quill Trail (50min): a hike from upper Oranjestad to the crater rim.
- Crater Trail (90min): takes hikers from the rim to a loop in the crater.
- Mazinga Peak (60min): a difficult trail from the rim to the highest point on Statia with views of the entire island, the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day you can see St Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat.
- Panorama Point (30min): medium difficult trail, taking hikers to a fantastic view point to Saba, St Maarten and St Barts.
- Round the Mountain Trail (5hr): winds around the boundary of the National Park and is the longest hike passing great viewpoints to St Kitts.
- Botanical Garden Trail (30min): connects the Botanical Garden entrance to the Round the Mountain trail.
- Bird Observation Trail (20min): meanders through the natural vegetation area of the Botanical Garden and links to the Round the Mountain trail.
Regulations
Visitors are requested to refrain from touching or removing any trees, plants or animals. Please keep to the trails and do not litter. In order to cover trail maintenance costs, there is a hiker entrance fee of $6 payable at the National Parks Office or Tourist Office.
Guided hikes can also be arranged by the Park.
For more information about the trails, guided hikes and the nature visit St Eustatius National Parks.
Historical Sightseeing
Statia has an interesting and rich history, evidence of its history can be found almost everywhere both above and below the surface. When walking around Oranjestad one often finds shards of old pottery and parts of old wine bottles. Scattered around the island are many old buildings and remains of old building some from the 16th and 17th century. A few of the buildings are in the process of being restored or have been partly restored like the Honen Dalim Synagogue in Oranjestad.
The area around the fort in Oranjestad is known as the Historic Core and it was here that the first Europeans settled in the early 17th century. In this area a number of traditional small wooden framed dwelling houses are located. Some of these houses has been fully restored and are now used for various purposes.
For more information visit the Historical Foundation or St Eustatius Tourist Office.