The Ram Head Trail

From Salt Pond Bay a trail runs south along the shore and then climbs onto Ram Head, a narrow headland of dry rock and cactus at the southern tip of St John, ending on a bluff about sixty metres above the sea with water on three sides. On the way it passes a beach of smooth blue-grey cobbles rather than sand, worn round by the surf and rattling as the waves draw back. The vegetation is desert-like: turk's cap cactus, agave and thorn scrub, quite unlike the north shore forest. It is the best sunset and one of the better sunrise walks on the island, and it is fully exposed the whole way.

The landscape

• Ram Head bluff - sixty metres above the sea with water on three sides.
• The blue cobble beach - rounded stones that rattle in the surf.
• The cactus scrub - turk's cap and agave on the dry southern point.
• Salt Pond Bay - the sheltered bay and salt pond at the trailhead.

When to go

December to April is the dry season. Go early or late: the trail is fully exposed and midday is punishing. It is a favourite for sunrise and for the full moon. Allow around three hours return with time at the top.

Before you go

There is no shade on any part of the walk and no water; people get into trouble here through heat rather than difficulty. The final climb is loose and steep. The bluff has no railing and drops sheer. The cobble beach is slippery and the stones must be left where they are.

Nearby

Coral Bay is fifteen minutes; Lameshur is round the south shore.