- It is always recommended to be accompanied by a guide.
- Take plenty of water, even on the simplest of walks.
- Take a small snack.
- Always walk as a group with at the least one companion, especially on walks rated five or above.
- Let someone responsible know where you are going and when you are expected to return.
- Take a mobile phone with you.
- Take adequate sun protection and wear wide brimmed hat
- Please take your litter home.
Walking on St. Helena is different, challenging and can be hazardous.
Many of the walks are on steep narrow coastal tracks with loose surfaces.
Walkers should be aware of the dangers of cliff-side paths, uneven terrain, loose grit and stone, vertiginous heights and difficultly of following the route.
The walks are not suitable for disabled people or those with mobility problems. Take plenty of water, even on the simplest of walks.
Take care when scrambling over rocks, do not jump down from boulders, this can easily result in a twisted or broken ankle.
Do not attempt to take short cuts up or down cliff faces. Large rocks can be unstable and roll away from you. Wear suitable footwear. Walking boots are recommended as they provide the necessary ankle support.
Don’t miss this year’s Festival of Walking, taking place December 2024 to February 2025! The festival is the perfect opportunity to join with others in enjoying St Helena’s incredible hiking trails, including its famous network of 21 Post Box Walks. The festival features a Walk of the Week where locals and visitors alike gather together to enjoy a hike, often guided by local experts such as conservationists or avid walkers who give unique insight to the stunningly diverse landscapes, microclimates, biodiversity and history of our remote island. Learn more about the festival on our Facebook page or by contacting us.
Our walks are designed by the St Helena Nature Conservation Group (SHNCG) as an opportunity to access and enjoy the wide variety of landscapes, natural and man-made heritage of the Island.
Dedicated to exploring St Helena since 1993, the SHNGC promote awareness of the flora and fauna of both the terrestrial and marine environment of St Helena. At the end of each walk is a ‘Post Box’ that holds a notebook to write your comments in and a stamp that many use as a souvenir.
The distance of the 21 walks fall between 1.5 km – 12 km, and time taken falls between 1hr 15 mins – 3 hrs 30 mins. It is always recommended to be accompanied by a guide.
The island’s 21 Post Box Walks and 11 recommended Footpaths have received official Green Flag Trail accreditation.
Green Flag Trails is an accreditation programme that seeks to offer trail users all the information they need to ensure the trail meets their expectations. Providing the assurance that a trail is safe and under responsible management.
pOST bOX wALKS
Manati Bay
Sharks Valley
This impressive deep valley is a great walk, however more difficult than most. Starting from Level wood, it is one of the only valleys with a constant flowing stream on the island, ending at the rocky valley mouth that opens to the sea, on route you will see banana trees and sightings of wild mangoes.
Thompson Valley
This walks receives its name from the large rocks in the pastures at the top of the valley that are said to resemble tombstones. This walk takes you from green forests, across Ebony Plain and down to barren coastland. There is a relatively well preserved Martello guard tower, battery and canon and coastal defence.
The Barn
This walk is one of the most difficult and should only be attempted by the most experienced walkers. After Traversing Deadwood Plain, the route enters an area of impressive geological features ending on top of a huge volcanic bluff with panoramic views across the east end of the island.
Sugar Loaf
This walk can be taken from Rupert’s or Deadwood Plain, both routes offer a spectacular view and walkers can swim from the rocky beach at Banks’ when the conditions are calm. Most of the walk is above sea cliffs through dry coast-land with some narrow paths.
South West Point
A relatively long walk through the rolling pastures, this walk has great views of Manati Bay, Sperry Island and the Black Rocks. You might also see a number of endemic Wire birds. This trail can also be accessed using 4×4 vehicles that can be driven all the way to the top of the point.
Sandy Bay Barn
This walk takes place on the eroded edge of the Sandy Bay amphitheatre. From here, walkers will see views across Sandy Bay including its iconic Lot and Lot’s Wife features. This is an undulating walk with a short traverse along a steep-sided slope or a short climb to get up on to the Barn itself.
Prosperous Bay
Prosperous Bay is a great coastal walk that takes you down the side of the valley past a series of picturesque waterfalls. At the end of the walk you will find a broad beach with pools for paddling and old military building remains. The path is actively eroding at the top of the valley and can be partially lost, particularly after winter rains.
Powell’s Valley
One of the most difficult of walks, Powell’s Valley takes you from the pastureland’s of level wood and Sandy Bay, past two military batteries. Those brave enough to attempt this walk can enjoy a quick swim if they take a second path to the left towards the bottom of the gut, where they will find a small pool.
Peak Dale
Peak Dale passes through flax, pasture and woodland along the hillside below the Sandy Bay Ridge, offering views across Sandy Bay. It is a great opportunity to see the last remaining ancient stand of endemic gum wood. The walk can be made up of combining two routes with an extra 3.25 km along the road or leaving a car at either end.
Lemon Valley
A well-known and attempted walk is to Lemon Valley. Starting from the St Paul’s area and working your way to the coastal region, Lemon Valley is a great swimming camping and fishing area for those looking to spend a day out. The return climb up hill can be quite strenuous on a hot day.
High Peak
High Peak is a short climb and holds beautiful views once walkers reach the top. Walkers can also spot endemic plants as they climb the peak. Walkers are also offered the option of a shorter route that takes them into a picnicking area below the peak top. The Post Box lies at the top.
High Hill
High Hill is composed of phonolitic rocks that were formed at a late stage in St Helena’s volcanic activity. This walk takes you through woodland up to the top of High Hill, where walkers will encounter spectacular views and the remains of an old signal station.
Lots Wife’s Ponds
One of the most popular walks on St Helena, the walk starts from Sandy Bay, past the iconic Lot’s wife formation to the sea coast here you will find multiple ponds. This walk is accompanied by ropes as the trail takes you along narrow paths. The Post box is located near the ponds, you will climb down a rope to access the ponds.
Lot
Lot lies within the beautiful and iconic Sandy Bay Ridge and follows it down into the bowl of Sandy Bay. From here, you will see views of the Peaks over to Sandy Bay Barn and Lot’s Wife, three other Post Box walks around the island. For safety its recommended not to be attempted in wet conditions, the ground of the steep slopes become very slippery
Heart Shaped Waterfall
Chosen as one of the 7 Wonders of St Helena by islanders, Heart Shaped Waterfall is one of the most iconic of the Post Box Walks. It is the closest walk to Jamestown and its location makes it one of the most popular walks. The walk can be slippery in places during the wet season. Stones and tree roots provide numerous trip hazards.
Great Stone Top
This walk is a prime location to spot the Red Billed Tropic bird. The trail is located in the Levelwood area and is noted to be more difficult when climbing up to the Great Stone Top. This walk takes you past Little Stone Top and above Shark’s Valley, you can enjoy views of the SE coast from Great Stone Top, one of the highest sea cliffs in the South Atlantic.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff offers great views of the island and walks you through the Boer Prisoner War Camp and Deadwood Plain, a well-known home to the national bird, the endemic Wirebird. Deadwood Plain was one of the first parts of the Great Wood to be cut down, supposedly getting its name from the resulting number of dead tree stumps.
Diana’s Peak
The Central Ridge National Conservation area is home to one of the island’s National Parks, The three Peaks offer 360o views of St Helena and her incredible landscape, including a breath-taking view of Flagstaff and The Barn, two other great Post Box Walks. Walkers will trek over all three peaks: Mount Actaeon, Diana’s Peak and Cuckold’s Point. The Peaks are home to over 60 endemic flora and invertebrates.
Blue Point
A great walk around the ‘Gates of Chaos’, Blue Point walks you through heavy erosion revealing different colours of soil, just beyond Thompson’s Wood. Walkers will enjoy views of South West Point, Sandy Bay, Sperry Island, Castle Rocks, this is a very popular walk. You can enjoy stunning landscape views and the rehabilitation areas for island endemics Walkers will enjoy observe the seas as they might be able to spot whales, an activity many walkers have enjoyed.
Cox Battery
Starting from the Millennium Forest, Cox’s Battery feature great views of Turk’s Cap, The Barn, King and Queen Rocks and Prosperous Bay Beach. You will see remnants of the wall as well as the new St Helena Airport. Walkers will pass through fortifications at the entrance to Turk’s Cap valley. There are no steep climbs, but walkers will experience sheer drops each side of the wide ridge that leads to the battery