Mal Pais

Last uopdate: trails not well kept, but hiking is o.k. The Mal Pais area has been damaged by caterpillars because of new building plans.

Trails start at Vaerssenbaai.
Mal Pais (Bad Land) offers several trails of which the Biná trail is the shorter and more easy one. Another trail goes up and over the hill and takes about 3 hours. The upper loop is not that hard. It is a good long hike ... just a bit difficult to get down from the top ... that is if you can find where to go down ...
In the mean time some members of our hiking group created a new trail there. We'll provide info shortly.
The upper trail has less visitors; it may be useful to bring something sharp to clear the path from thorny branches. At the moment though, the trail is in good condition.
At some point both trails meet.
We did the trails in the wet and in the dry season. The landscape looks totally different after the rain.
The trails are partly in the shade of manzanilla and other trees. The hills offer nice views of this 'bad' land.
Remember: stay clear of the manzanilla apples and their leaves!

See for trail maps: Trail Maps - Wandelkaarten

Daaibooibaai

Last update: nice short trail with beautiful views. Beginning of the trail littered by bathing guests.


foto: M.van Soest

The Daaibooibaai is one of the few bays that you can enjoy without paying fees for parking or swimming. It is a beautiful Bay with shady places and a little shack where you can get cool drinks. It also is the place to go for a BBQ in the night.
At the Daaibooibaai, looking to the East you'll find a small trail that leads up the hill. (In the dry season the path may be dirty. Rain has to come in to wash away the trash left by visitors).
The path follows the coast line. You get the most beautiful views of the turquoise sea. But then the easy walking stops... the path ends suddenly and you are in the middle of a thorny 'mondi'.

At the moment, after a period of long drought, the trail is very untidy.
Better climb the other side of the bay, and go West, in the direction of PortoMari.

See for trail maps: Trail Maps - Wandelkaarten

Santa Catharina

Last update: none. Trail will be wet, muddy and overgrown after rainfall.New mills have been placed, so the begin of the trail can be a bit different. But, according to our groupmembers, who did the hike recently, the trail is still there and it is not a very difficult hike.
Don't go alone. Always form a group of at least four!



If you want to get to Santa Catharina the hard way, you park at Playa Canoa. Start walking to the mills. At mill 14 you turn right.
You also can drive on to that mill and start walking from there.
The trail gets smaller once it goes up. At some places it will be invisible (Bring something to cut thorny branches!), but as long as you go North East you'll get to the highest point from where you'll have a good view of the coast and plantation house Santa Catharina.