Returning to St.Martin for our 25th anniversary. We spent our honetmoon on St.Martin and haven't returned since. We didn't see much of the island, ah, since we were on our honeymoon.

We are renewing our vows there and now want to explore more than we did before.

We will be there mid April. What would be a good time to venture to Pic Paradis?

Would it be a reasonable hike for two 50 somethings or should we drive?

In my opinion the view up there is not worth the danger.(Robbers/car break-ins)
A good alternative is to go to the Loterie Farm.
You can do the zip lines or hike through the jungle (for a fee)
Then have tropical drinks at the tapas bar tree house or a long, lazy lunch at the restaurant there. The setting is beautiful and very tranquil.
Located about halfway up the road to Pic Paradis.

We went early in the morning, only ones there that we saw. We drove up never left site of the car and one person was always with in 20 feet of the car if not closer. My guess is we arrived before the bandits.

It was a great view, and we may go back some day but right now it is a "been there, done it" kind of feeling. If we were to go back we would again go early and with at least another couple just to feel safer. Other than knowing the history of the stories we never felt unsafe, but are smart enough to be alert and not forget the stories.

If you were to hike, which we considered, it is a vertical hike that would not be easy.

Cheers,
Todd

Too bad you have to take such precautions to enjoy beauty. Is there any area on the island where you can enjoy beauty and not feel like you could be in harm's way?

therer are many places but pic paradis is the highest most isolated point on the island

[barcann.livejournal.com]

You can take the hike from Lotery Farm up to Pick Paradis... It is beautiful, captivating since you are in the middle of nature and walk through some ruins of old plantation. It depends on your physical condition but it can be tough.. however, my mom (who was some sort of strong adventurer woman...) did it when she was 70.. beside that she also climbed Mount scenery up to the top in Saba, so.... as far as robber, attacks or whatsoever, we didn't hear anything sinec a while, and I beleive that it is mostly because nobody (or almost nobody..() goes up there anymore, the thugs got discouraged to wait all day long bellow the sun without seing any potential victime, and they don't go up there anymore.. maybe it is why.. don't know, but like I said we didn't heard anything since a while...

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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and like Barbara said , there are MANY places and areas on the island where you can enjoy beauty and not feel like you could be in harm's way...

Kind Regards,
Philippe



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Please tell us all what places they may be