Trails & Hiking · St. Thomas
Mermaid's Chair Trail
A mostly paved descent through The Preserve at Botany Bay to a remote beach at the western end of St. Thomas, followed by a demanding return climb.
Trail details
- Distance
- 3.5 miles round trip
- Estimated time
- About 2 hours including beach time
- Difficulty
- Moderate to strenuous
- Route type
- Out and back
- Elevation
- The return includes roughly 500 feet of uphill elevation
- Terrain
- Mostly paved route with a sustained uphill return
- Shade / exposure
- Sunny and exposed in places
- Accessibility
- Not described as accessible despite the mostly paved surface
Highlights
- Western tip coastal views
- Remote beach
- Geologic formations
- Low-tide sandbar and tide pools
Plan the route
- Access
- Visitors start at The Preserve at Botany Bay and must sign in and show identification at the gate.
- Parking
- Confirm current visitor parking instructions at The Preserve at Botany Bay gate
- Water or beach access
- Remote beach and tide-pool area at Mermaid's Chair
Important hazards
- Time the beach visit around the tide and leave the water before high tide
- The return climb is strenuous in sun and heat
- Carry plenty of water
Conditions and access can change. Check current notices before setting out.
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