The Caribbean’s sunny sweetheart of St. Martin is an island of many facets and talents, beloved by winter escapees for its winning mix of 37 beautiful beaches, tantalizing cuisine, and charming colonial character. Yet, St. Martin has also won ardent admirers of late for its offering of natural excursions. Far from being the stereotypical “desert island”, St. Martin is a verdant paradise of underwater reefs, rolling green hills, and scenic summits. If you’re interested in getting to know the wild side of St. Martin, we’ve picked out three of the first places you’ll want to check out. Pack your hiking boots, fill your picnic basket, and read on for some itinerary inspiration.

Loterie Farm

Good for: adventure lovers, families

A private nature sanctuary encompassing 135 acres, Loterie Farm truly has it all. From hiking and ziplining in the forest canopy to an onsite pool, bar, and restaurant, Loterie is equipped to provide a full day’s worth of fun to visitors of every sensibility and preference. A self-guided hike through the reserve’s tropical forest allows guests to choose their own adventure: canvassing the entirety of the well-marked trail takes just under two hours, but hikers are free to make their own way. The various ruins, lookouts, and springs found within Loterie’s shaded expanse make for perfect picnic destinations. Of course, if you forgot to pack a lunch, Loterie has you covered: the Jungle Room serves up Caribbean staples, realized with fresh, local ingredients and paired with a relaxed, open-air ambiance. No single-day itinerary ever looks quite the same at Loterie Farm: repeat visits are the only way to experience everything this incredible locale has to offer.

Fort Louis

Good for: sightseers, novice hikers, history buffs

As a product of its colonial history, St. Martin is home to a handful of historic naval forts. Among these venerable bastions of weathered stone and rusted cannons, Marigot Bay’s Fort Louis enjoys a particularly sterling reputation as a day trip destination. Originally built in the 18th century to protect Marigot from pirates, the lack of modern-day swashbuckling has seen the Fort evolve with the times. Now, Fort Louis is one of the most popular hiking spots on the island, enticing visitors with its 360-degree overlook of St. Martin’s crystal waters. It’s only a short jaunt up the hill to access this incredible view, and the brief journey is an engaging one: you’ll walk amidst the ruins of the fort as you follow the path to the summit. A breathtaking panorama awaits you at the top of this gentle climb and on a clear day, one can even see the neighbouring island of Anguilla!

Reserve Naturelle

Good for: Nature lovers, hikers of all experience and fitness levels

The National Nature Reserve of St. Martin, the Reserve Naturelle (as it is known to the island’s French-speaking populace) covers over 3000 hectares of nationally managed land and sea in Northeastern St. Martin, including the smaller islands of Pinel and Tintamarre. The Reserve boasts a stunning assortment of natural scenery and abundant protected wildlife, including sea turtles, dolphins, iguanas, and seabirds. Beyond access through tours or snorkelling excursions, one of the best ways to experience the Reserve is on a hike through one of its four Discovery Trails; each offering a glimpse of a different ecosystem. A hike through the mangroves of Barrière pond, for example, will get you up close and personal with the beautiful endemic birds who make the area their home. On Pinel, guests can hike a 1.5km trail that connects all three beaches of the islet, providing a fascinating introduction to the Reserve’s coastal vegetation. Experienced hikers should head to Froussard’s Trail, which covers 4.5km of intact coastal forest, the last of its kind on St. Martin.