The 10 best hikes in Aruba. Family trails

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Although Aruba is mostly known for its beaches and other fun activities, the island also has some easy and family-friendly hikes where you can see natural pools, rock arches, and desert landscapes in Arikok National Park.

Don’t expect anything really uncomfortable to blow like the scenery you might see in US national parks, but walking in Aruba can still be a good way to get away from the crowds and enjoy the coastline while burning some calories.

This is our guide to the best hikes in Aruba. If you have any other favorites, let me know in the comments at the end of the blog post.

1. Conch natural pool

Conch Natural Pool is one of the most popular spots in Arikok National Park, a beautiful turquoise wave pool where you can swim surrounded by a rock wall that protects you from the crashing waves.

There are several ways to reach the natural pool. Most people go on a jeep tour, but you can also get there by hiking from the Arikok Visitor Center.

You can see goats and lizards and other interesting things along the way, and the main benefit is swimming in the natural pool at the end of the trail.

This is a long and open hike that can get seriously hot. I would recommend buying your park ticket a day in advance so you can start the hike no later than 6 a.m. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen and more water than you think that you need.

The distance. 10.5 km (6.5 miles) round trip
The time. 3-4 hours

2. Daimari to Conchi natural pool

Another way to reach Conchi Natural Pool is to walk from Daimar Bay.

Along the way, you’ll also pass Boca Keto’s rugged twin beach with a unique rock formation called “Klein Aruba” (miniature Aruba) because from above it looks like a smaller version of the island of Aruba.

You can see it in the picture below.

This was our favorite hike in Arikok National Park and we didn’t see a single person the entire time.

Remember to wear a hat and sunscreen and bring plenty of water This is the most remote part of the island so you don’t want to get into trouble here.

You have to park at the top of the hill before Rancho Daimari (map here) because the road is very bumpy with huge potholes.

The distance. 4 km (2.5 miles) round trip
The time. 60-90 minutes

3. Cerro Colorado Natural Bridge

There are several rock bridges in Aruba that have been formed by sea erosion over the years, and the most famous is the natural bridge at Andikuri Bay, which is now visited by many day tours.

However, the best rock bridge in Aruba is actually a bit more difficult to find and is still not visited by tours. You can find it on the map here.

Cerro Colorado is an amazing bridge, and it almost looks like a picture frame of the ocean.

The route to the natural bridge is uneventful and the trail is a bit treacherous with sharp rocks and a steep incline.

4. Casibari Rocks

The Cazibar Rock Formation is a neat little free space in Central Aruba where you can climb to the top of a rock formation and enjoy scenic views of the island.

There is a ladder at the top of the rocks so it’s quite doable for all ages, although you still have to work for it. You can get to the top in just a few minutes. The platform at the top is fenced off for safety, but you’ll still want to keep an eye on the little ones :

From the top of the rocks there is a great view of Aruba Island and Hoiberg Hill, one of the highest points on the island.Don’t expect anything too disturbing, but it’s still worth a visit.

5. Hill of grass

Hooiberg Hill in central Aruba is the second highest point on the island of Aruba, at 165 meters (541 ft). The name “Hooiberg” is Dutch for haystack and comes from the shape of the hill.

Although it may look intimidating, Hoiberg is not that difficult to climb and fit hikers can reach the top in 20 minutes.It has paved steps to the top, although there are hundreds of steps.

It’s a good workout, so I’d avoid doing it in the middle of the day when the temperature is at its hottest.

The top offers great views of the entire island of Aruba and you can see all the way to Venezuela in South America.It’s also a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset.

The distance. 1 km (0.6 mi) round trip
The time. ~ 30 minutes

6. Ayo Rocks

Ayo Rock Formations is another beautiful little hike in Aruba that is good for families, kids, and travelers of all ages.

These giant boulders are fun to climb, and you can even see indigenous petroglyphs left there long ago by the Arawaks, the first inhabitants of the island.

Caves and passageways between rocks add another fun element to the experience, but watch out for wasp nests as you will occasionally see them here.

We found this place by accident while walking around Aruba, but it was a lot of fun to explore.It’s free to enter and open 24/7.

7. North Cape Tail

This trail starts at the popular Aruba Natural Bridge parking lot, which is visited by many day tours (map here) The hike will take you to Blackstone Beach, one of Aruba’s most unique beaches.

This secluded beach is not good for swimming as it has strong currents, but it is covered with flat black rocks and an unusual three-legged natural bridge called the Tripod Bridge.

I decided to turn back after reaching Blackstone Beach, but if you keep going, the trail will eventually take you to Daimari Beach and Conchi Natural Pool. Overall, it’s one of the best hikes in Aruba if you want to see unusual beaches and sea arches.

The distance. 2.7 km (1.7 mi) round trip
The time. 45-60 minutes

8. West Point Trail

This trail takes you around the northwest tip of the island of Aruba, where you can enjoy views of the ocean and sand dunes, as well as views of the California Lighthouse.

Westpunt feels surprisingly secluded, even though it’s not far from Arashi Beach and other popular Aruba tourist attractions.

If you walk the entire Westpoint Trail and then turn around on the road to the California Lighthouse, you’ll be looking at a total distance of about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles).

However, most people will probably prefer to just walk along the coast for half an hour and then come back. Either way, it’s a good place to escape the crowds.

9. Two coastal paths

Dos Playa is a duo of beautiful beaches in Arikok National Park, but the road is very rough, so some people prefer to hike rather than drive.

The beach is usually uncrowded and nice for pictures, big waves crash on the rocky shore, just don’t try to swim here.

The first beach can be reached in about 20 minutes of hiking, and the second beach in just 10 or 15 minutes.

The distance. 4 km (2.5 miles) round trip
The time. ~ 1 hour

10. Jamanota hill

Jamanota is the highest point on the island of Aruba, at 188 meters (617 feet) above sea level. The name is an Arawak word that translates to “Fountain of Great Spirits”.

You can drive most of the way up and then park and walk the rest, although I heard recently that there is a fence with a big hole that you have to go through. It’s a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset.

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Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best hikes in Aruba.

Most of them are fairly easy and family-friendly, so almost anyone can make them with a little preparation.

Don’t forget to check out my other travel blog posts about Aruba before you go.

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