Peter Simmon's Hill: A Quiet Summit Above Saba's Capital
A steep, storied hill with big Caribbean views and almost no crowds
Why Go
Most visitors to Saba make a beeline for Mount Scenery and never look sideways. Peter Simmon's Hill is the sideways look — a modest but muscular peak rising above The Bottom, named for one of the island's earliest settler families, and offering a quieter angle on the same jaw-dropping volcanic scenery.
The Experience
Saba is a 13-square-kilometer volcano poking straight out of the Caribbean, and Peter Simmon's Hill is one of the folded green ridges that give the island its crumpled-map profile. The climb is short by mainland standards but seriously steep, threading through dry forest and old goat tracks before opening onto ridge-top views. From the higher shoulders you get The Bottom nestled in its crater-like bowl on one side, the churning Caribbean far below on the other, and — on clear mornings — the silhouettes of Sint Eustatius, St. Kitts, and Saint Martin floating on the horizon. It's less a marked trail and more a local shortcut and viewpoint, so expect a raw, choose-your-own-line kind of adventure rather than a signposted hike.
What to Try
Time your ascent for the golden hour before sunset, when The Bottom's red roofs glow and the trade winds cool off. Bring binoculars — red-billed tropicbirds nest on Saba's cliffs and often wheel past ridge-lines like this one. If you're a plant nerd, look for endemic Saba ferns and the wild orchids that cling to the wetter, wind-facing slopes.
Insider Tip
There's no signposted trailhead. Stop by the Saba Conservation Foundation's Trail Shop in Windwardside first — the rangers can point you to the best access from The Bottom side and let you know current conditions, since routes get overgrown fast in the wet season (September–November). Sturdy shoes with real tread aren't optional; the volcanic scree is slippier than it looks.
The Practical Stuff
Free to visit; no ticket booth, no gate. Best hiked in the dry season (December–April) and always in daylight — Saba has almost no ambient light and the ridge has real drop-offs. Carry at least a liter of water, sun cover, and a light rain layer (weather flips fast at elevation). Cell coverage is patchy on the leeward slopes. Nearest fuel, snacks, and taxis are in The Bottom, a short walk downhill.
Pair It With
- Brigadoon Guide — A beloved Windwardside restaurant that's a fitting reward after a sweaty hike — hearty Caribbean-international plates and a cold Carib beer.
- Angelina's Saba By OwAiChie: Food and Drinks Guide — Casual local spot to refuel with island cooking and rum punch once you're back down at sea level.
- Amonhana Guide — Grab a bite here before or after the climb for a taste of Saba's small but proud food scene.
- Big Rock Engineering Guide — If you'd rather skip the uphill scramble, arrange a local transfer or 4x4 lift to a higher trailhead so you can focus on the ridge views.
