Hike from the bay in the small fishermen's village of St. Michiel to the top of the St. Michiel's mountain (105 meters high) via another mountain, the Seru Blandan
Highlights of this trip:
- Remains of the old indigo tanks
- Nice vegetation along the path
- Lots of crabs in a muddy area
- View from the top of the Seru Blandan
- View from the top of the St. Michiel's mountain
Parking
The car can be parked in the parking place behind the former dive shop Wederfoort at the large bay of St. Michiel (Boka Sami).
Description of the trail
For a map of the trail check the download link below under the heading "Trail map". Also the track is available for download there.
It can be difficult to follow the track based on the description only because not every path can be easily found. So the best way to hike this trail is with the help of a GPS or the Wikiloc / Locus Map app loaded with the track.
You will need good walking shoes and sufficient water for the trip. Along the shore of the saliña the underground can be muddy so keep this in mind when selecting your shoes.
From the parking lot the trail starts along the shore of the saliña (salt lake). Depending on the water level in the salt lake it might be necessary to take a higher level path (see track). After a while the higher path descends to the water level again. Follow the shore line; when the side is too muddy look for alternatives further in the back.
When you reach the large plain (often very muddy) that marks where the rain water from the hills entered the saliña, you go to the right into the Manzaliña forest. Look around to see a lot of crabs in this area. You have to be quiet to not disturb the crabs otherwise the only thing you get to see are their holes. Avoid the manzaliña forest if it is raining; it can give you blisters.
in the manzaliña forest you see a stone structure. This is the former indigo tank system belonging to the plantation of Klein St. Michiel. Indigo dye was produced in this tank system from 1670 till 1720. At the indigo tank system you turn left and start to go uphill. Follow the yellow markings. These will lead you to the top of the Seru Blandan. From there you have a nice view over part of St. Michiel. To the North you see the top of the next mountain on this trail, the St. Michiel's mountain.
Continue the path in the direction of this next top. From the Seru Blandan there are no yellow markings anymore but you should follow the path or use the GPS-track to guide you.
Enjoy the view from the top of the St. Michiel's mountain and take a rest if necessary.
From the top you take the same path down for the first few meters till you reach a fork in the path; there you go right. This path leads to the shore of the saliña where you turn left to go back to the car. Also now you have to follow the shore line and if it is too muddy close to the shore look for an alternative path more in the back.
This will bring you back at the car.
Track of this hike on Wikiloc
Link to the track of this hike on Wikiloc (opens in a new window).
The track can be downloaded but a better option is to install the Wikiloc app on your smartphone; when you click on the download link with the app installed on your phone the link opens in Wikiloc (can take some time) and you are able to follow the track.
It appears that this only works for the paid Premium version of this app.
As an alternative the free version of the Locus Map can be used. To use this app you need to download the track in GPX-format either from Wikiloc or directly from this page (see below under "Trail map").
Location
Pictures
View on the St. Michiel's mountain
Indigo tank system
Lots of bulb cacti in the sun light
View from the Seru Blandan on the St. Michiel's mountain
View on the saliña from the top of the St. Michiel's mountain
Nice Dye wood tree along the path
Saliña of St. Michiel
Dead Indju tree - nice contrast with the green vegetation
Trail map (download)
Map with route; right click and Save As
GPS track Visit Website