Trails just outside Coral Estate

The Coral Estate trails have been marked for you to enjoy and take in as much of the area’s ecological diversity as possible – safely and responsibly. Please respect these trails, other users, and the flora and fauna one may encounter. Be mindful that these trails transect different paths designed for other purposes, and unless you are knowledgeable about them, please keep to the trails clearly marked with short, white posts with colored hashes.  

  • Before tackling any outdoor activity, inform yourself about the area, trails, and possible routes. Also, please let your friends, family, and contacts know about your plans in case of emergencies. 
  • Check the weather and pack the needed gear accordingly. For example, it doesn’t tend to rain a lot on the island, but when it rains, it pours, and parts of the trails may become flooded. 
  • Please take enough water along to avoid dehydration. The recommended amount is at least 2 liters for a short hike. And more for a longer hike. 
  • Wear suitable footwear as there are plenty of rocky sections, thorny underbrush, and cacti which may cause injury. Hiking shoes/boots are recommended. Please avoid slippers. 
  • Wear adequate sun protection. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Long-sleeved sun shirts/rash guards are highly recommended.

Area information: Rif St Marie 

Rif St Marie: History 

After the Spanish arrived on the island in 1499, they renamed or romanized many indigenous toponyms. This area, in particular, was renamed Santa Maria, after Saint Mary, who the Catholic Church reveres. After the Dutch took over in 1634, they translated this to Sint Marie. The reason for the later addition of the prefix “Rif” is unknown, but its first use in legal documents dates to 1796. 

From documentation dated around 1700, we know that 73 enslaved people worked on this plantation. The major crops grown here were tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, and indigo. Regarding livestock, 150 heads of cattle, 150 sheep, and more than 180 goats grazed the land. 

The estuary was used for salt extraction from the early 1800s until the 1960s by manufactured saltpans. The salt produced on site was of high quality and had a high yield. For example, in 1910, it made more than 12.000 barrels of salt. 

This salt was shipped to North America and Holland and was used as a means to preserve food. In addition, Holland had substantial commercial interests in Baltic herring and North Sea cod fisheries. But as they were cut off from their traditional Mediterranean salt sources because of the 80-years War, they looked towards the Caribbean. There they would find a veritable bonanza. 

These saltpans are still present to this day and are classified as monuments. In total, there were 3 Landhuizen (plantation houses) that exploited the area with the use of slave labor. These were Landhuis – Jankok, Hermanus and Rif St Marie respectively. These can be seen from various parts of the trail system. 

To commemorate the slave revolt, which took place in August 1795, a statue was erected near the saltpans adjacent to the main road. This statue depicts a raised fist with a broken chain cuff representing the struggle the enslaved people had to go through as they tried, again and again, to attain freedom. 

Rif St Marie: Conservation & Recreation 

Currently, the area is used for recreational purposes like hiking, biking, bouldering, kiteboarding, SUPing, and kayaking. In addition, it is considered of high scenic, cultural and historic value by the local population. Artisanal fishermen are often seen in the area. 

Rif St Marie is relatively undisturbed and provides an immersive nature experience. It comprises an estuary of approximately 130 ha. Suppose one also counted the surrounding mudflats, shrub land, and forests. In that case, that amounts to a total area of 667 ha, protected under the international RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands. Further, it is also listed as an IBA (Important Bird and Biodiversity Area) by BirdLife International. 

The estuary is a foraging habitat for flamingos and numerous other water birds. The Rif-Sint Marie estuary is crucial for maintaining a viable population of Caribbean flamingos during the dry season when the more extensive wetlands of Venezuela, where part of the population forages, run dry. 

The coral reef is well developed and shelters several coral species like Elkhorn and Staghorn coral, endangered turtle species such as the Leatherback and Hawksbill, and threatened fish species like the Goliath grouper. 

Rif St Marie: Topography 

The area’s topography is quite varied as the estuary is surrounded by numerous hills, locally called “seru.” Most of these seru have seasonal water runoffs/creeks which supply the estuary and its surrounding ecosystems with fresh water. Locally these runoffs are called “roi,” and they flow solely during the rainy season, which is from October to January, and the occasional storm. Along most of these roi, you will find ruins of waterworks such as dams and “faha”, which are low laying walls that slow down the course of fresh (rain) water so as not to cause the salinity in the salt pans to fluctuate too much. 

These waterworks were needed for these saltpans to produce salt more efficiently as the production of salt relies on evaporation. The faha also had the added benefit of mitigating erosion by spreading the water over a larger area. However, one must consider that these areas were often clear-cut for them to be able to sustain agriculture and the keeping of livestock. In doing so, trees and shrubbery that naturally mitigate erosion were often sparsely present. 

The hills surrounding the area are Seru – Kabritu, Rincon, Lucia, Large, and Popchi (also known as El Indian), respectively, from west to east. In addition, Seru Hermanus and Meiberg are also part of the conservation area. 

Notable Fauna 

  • Gabilán Piskadó / Osprey 
  • Flamingu / Caribbean Flamingo 
  • Warawara / Crested Caracara 
  • Kini Kini / American Kestrel 
  • Makuaku / Frigate Bird 
  • Blòu Dùif / Scaly-naped Pigeon 
  • Sloke / Crested bobwhite 
  • Prikichi / Brown-throated Parakeet 
  • Yuana / Green Iguana 
  • Kwal, Cassiopeia / Upside-down Jellyfish 
  • Porko di Mondi / Feral pigs 

 

Notable Flora 

  • Welensali / Yellow Balsam 
  • Palu di lele / White indigo berry 
  • Karawara di Mondi / White Manjack 
  • Shimaruku/ West Indian Cherry 
  • Kalbás di Mondi / Calabash tree 
  • Kadushi / Candle Cactus 
  • Infròu / Prickly Pear 
  • Milón di Seru / Turk’s Cap Cactus 
  • Watapana / Divi Divi 
  • Watapana Shimaron/ Negrita di Malpais 
  • Palu di Mangel/ Mangroves 
  • Wabi / Twisted Acacia 

Mountain Bike Specific 

Green Circle: These trails require little physical exertion. They have gentle climbs and descents. They may be wider or even double track. You will find primarily smooth paths with few or no rocks and “moves.” Great for beginners or groups of mixed ability. Also suitable for your first day on location. 

Blue Square: Climbs and descents will be at steeper grades than green circle trails. They may be longer, have more side-hill exposure, and have more loose rocks. Blues are suitable for those with more advanced bike handling skills or a willingness to walk. Best after you’ve had a day to get used to the location. 

Black Diamonds: Several factors can contribute to a route il earning a black diamond rating. A particularly steep climb or descent. Rocks and technical moves, jumps, but also the length of the route. These are great for the seasoned mountain biker. 

General Terminology 

The trails in this area are arranged as “loop” trails along an “out-and-back” main path. This main trail is the orange one. The start location / “trailhead” is on the right side of the road as you’re coming down from security. 

Trailhead is the point at which a trial begins. 

Loop trails start and end at the exact location and follow a single trail or multiple trails to form a loop. 

Out-and-Back trails start and end at the exact location, follow a single trail or multiple trails to an endpoint and then return along the same route. 

Zeven Heuvelen (hike/bike) 

Literally translated, this trail name means “Seven Hills” in Dutch and is named for the seven climbs and descends one encounter when using this trail. Please follow the correct markers in the “General Trail Use” section. The hash color of this trail is yellow. For mountain biking, this trail is rated as “Black Diamond,” the most difficult classification in the area. The markers also indicate this as explained in the general trail use section. As with all trails, this one starts at the trailhead, on the right side of the road, as you’re coming down from security. At the fork in the road take the right side, as shown on the markers. The first section of the trail is relatively straightforward, but after the first noticeable corner, it drops quite quickly to the left. The trail then slowly takes the user down to sea level. From there on, quite a bit of the trail passes through watersheds, thus making it highly likely to give you wet and muddy feet after heavy rains. After passing this section, the trail goes up a switch back and meanders over various hills, which offer spectacular views of the area. As you come up to the two following crossroads, please follow the markers and do not go on the paved road. From the straightaway that follows, you’ll make your way down on to the mudflats, along the mangrove area. Do notice that this area may get extremely wet during heavy rains and king tides, to the point of being impassable. After leaving that section you will encounter an uphill climb which passes along Landhuis Rif. From there on the trail goes downhill, through another mudflat and then up a roi, back to the trailhead. The salt pans, the Rif St Marie estuary, the Willibrordus Church, Landhuis – Rif and Jankok can all be observed from the trail. 

The Coast (hike) 

Please follow the correct markers as stated in the “General Trail Use” section. The hash color of this trail is blue. As with all trails, this one starts at the trailhead, on the right side of the road, as you’re coming down from security. At the fork in the road take the left side, as shown on the markers. Follow the trail, through the ROI, down to the 1st mudflats. Pass along the outer edges and then take a right up to Landhuis Rif. Follow the trail down to the 2nd mudflats and along the mangrove area. Do notice that this area may get extremely wet during heavy rains and king tides, to the point of being impassable. From there on take the 2nd trail to the left and hike up the valley between Seru Lucia and Seru Large. From the low laying wall one’s able to see the coastline and Bullenbaai. Follow the markers down to where the limestone plateau ends and carefully climb down. Follow the markers to the west. Along the trail one may choose to check out where the Kaap Sint Marie Lighthouse used to be. To do this take a left at the T-crossing. You’ll encounter an homage to where it used to be in the form of a stand-alone steel scaffolding. Please don’t climb and or hang on this structure as it is quite unstable. From here on, double back and continue the trail to your left. Follow the trail and turn to your right before you reach the gate. You’ll eventually arrive at the street. Go right and follow the street to a parking lot. Continue on the straightaway down to the mudflats and make your way back on the same trail, to where you started. The salt pans, the Rif St Marie estuary, Landhuis Rif and Bullenbaai can all be observed from the trail. 

The Valley (hike) 

Please follow the correct markers as stated in the “General Trail Use” section. The hash color of this trail is red. As with all trails, this one starts at the trailhead, on the right side of the road, as you’re coming down from security. At the fork in the road take the left side, as shown on the markers. Follow the trail, through the ROI down to the 1st mudflats. Pass along the outer edges and then take a right up to Landhuis Rif. Follow the trail down to the 2nd mudflats and along the mangrove area. Do notice that this area may get extremely wet during heavy rains and king tides, to the point of being impassable. From there on take the 1st trail to the left. Continue on the trail as it takes a left and makes its way towards a low laying wall that functions as a “faha” as described in the Topography section. From this point one can also see Landhuis Rif, the estuary, saltpans and plenty of mangroves. Be aware that there may be feral pigs in the area. If encountered give them space and do not approach them. From there on, double back and follow the trail on the left. You’ll meander through some thicker bush and make your way up, through the valley between Seru Lucia and Seru Large. You may notice that area along this section tends to be quite lush, especially during the rainy season. That’s because besides faha, there are also catchment dams that store water in the area. These served the area during plantation times to encourage the water to enter the ground instead of running off. At a certain point along the trail you’ll come to a T-crossing. Take the trail on the right and follow the markers along the foot of Seru Lucia to another T-crossing. Take the trail on the right, continue on the straightaway down to the mudflats and make your way back on the same trail, to where you started. The salt pans, the Rif St Marie estuary and Landhuis Rif can all be observed from the trail. 

Mangrove Shores (hike/bike) 

As stated in the General Terminology section, this is the main “out-and-back” trail to which all the other trails connect. It is also the only trail that for a large part is accessible to motorized vehicles, so keep that in mind. Please follow the correct markers as stated in the “General Trail Use” section. The hash color of this trail is orange.

For mountain biking, this trail is rated as “Green Dot,” which is the easiest classification in the area. This is also indicated on the markers as explained in the general trail use section. As with all trails, this one starts at the trailhead, on the right side of the road, as you’re coming down from security.  At the fork in the road take the left side, as shown on the markers. Follow the trail, through the ROI down to the mudflats. Pass along the outer edges and then take a right up to Landhuis Rif. Follow the trail down to the mudflats and along the mangrove area. Do notice that this area may get extremely wet during heavy rains and king tides, to the point of being impassable. From there on the trail turns into a straightaway which ends at a parking lot. Double back and make your way back on the same trail, to where you started. The salt pans, the Rif St Marie estuary, and Landhuis Rif can all be observed from the trail. 

Rif St Marie Loop (hike/bike) 

Please follow the correct markers as stated in the “General Trail Use” section. The hash color of this trail is pink. For mountain biking, this trail is rated as “Blue Square,” which is the intermediate classification in the area. The markers also indicate this, as explained in the general trail use section. 

As with all trails, this one starts at the trailhead, on the right side of the road, as you’re coming down from security. Take the right side at the fork in the road, as shown on the markers. The first section of the trail is relatively straightforward, but it drops quite quickly to the left after the first noticeable corner. The trail then slowly takes the user down to sea level. From there on, quite a bit of the trail passes through watersheds, thus making it highly likely to give you wet and muddy feet after heavy rains. Follow the markers and take a left, and you’ll make your way down onto the mudflats along the mangrove area. Do notice that this area may get extremely wet during heavy rains and king tides, to the point of being impassable. After leaving this section, encounter an uphill climb that passes along Landhuis Rif. After that, the trail goes downhill, through another mudflat, and then up a roi, back to the trailhead. The salt pans, the Rif St Marie estuary, the Willibrordus Church, and Landhuis Rif can all be observed from the trail. 

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