The Vermont Nature Trail takes you through lush rainforest with an amazing variety of tropical flora, ending up with beautiful scenery and a chance to see the famous St. Vincent Parrot in its natural habitat. Majestic cliffs reach for the sky, giving way to sweeping valleys. Ambient temperatures and abundant rainfall give rise to profusion in the growth of vegetation. The trail is in the picturesque Buccament valley within the St. Vincent Parrot Reserve and the more encompassing proposed Central Forest Reserve. The trail is approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) long, and winds through lush primary and secondary rainforest and plantations, offering visitors breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and close-ups of the country’s endemic flora and fauna. The trail ascends to the lookout and offers great hiking for all ages and abilities.
Opening hours: 7am – 5pm (facilities open 9am – 5pm)
Fees: $5 EC
Distance from Kingstown: 9 miles (14 km) – approximately 30 minutes
Facilities: Kiosk, gift shop, washrooms, visitors centre and benches along the trail
Biodiversity
Sightings of the rare St. Vincent Parrot are practically guaranteed. Listen for their unmistakable calls and then look out from the view point as they fly above the forest canopy in front of you. The Vermont Nature Trails are awash with a wide array of plants, birdlife and other fauna. Floral species of note include the Santinay Sloaneacaribeae, Gommier Dacroydesexcelsa, Pigeon berry Byrsonimatrinitensis, and the endemics: Gri-gri Palm Aiphanesvincentii, Begonia rotundifolia, the epiphytic Peperomiacuneata and P. vincentinum and the Giant Tree fern Cyatheatenera. Blue mahoe Hibiscus elatus, Caribbean Pine Pinuscaribae var. hondurensis and Galba caloyphyllumantilannum are the main plantation species.
Designated by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in the Caribbean, the Trail supports populations of rainforest bird species including the vulnerable St. Vincent Parrot Amazonagiuldingii, thethreatened Whistling warbler Cathropeza bishop, the threatened endemic race of House Wren Troglodytes aedonmusica, the Purple-throated Carib Eulampisjuglaris, Common Black hawk buteogallusanthracinus, and the Mountain dove Geotrygon Montana. Reptilian species include the endemic lizard Anolisgriseus and the regionally endemic congo snake Mastigodyryasbrusei. The Agouti Dasyproctor agouti and Oppossum Marsupialisinsularis are among the mammalian species in the reserve.
The site is managed by the Buccament Development Organisation.
