Hike· Tobago· Windward Islands
Main Ridge Forest Reserve (Gilpin Trace)
11° 17.3′ N · 60° 37.0′ W
The oldest legally protected rainforest in the western hemisphere, designated in 1776. Gilpin Trace is the classic trail through it, about 5 km of muddy forest track with three small waterfalls and some 210 bird species recorded in the reserve.
Practical
Position is the Gilpin Trail in OpenStreetMap. The trailhead is about 3 km along the Roxborough-Parlatuvier Road, which crosses the ridge; take a taxi from Castara, Parlatuvier or Charlotteville. About 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace; often muddy (rubber boots rent near the start for about TT$20 per Rough Guides, undated, so verify locally; bring socks). Best birding early, from about 6 am. Registered guides, mostly ex-foresters from Parlatuvier and Roxborough, wait at the entrance in daylight wearing ID badges; prices are negotiable. The reserve covers 3,937 ha and gets about 380 cm of rain a year. No trail fee mentioned. Birds include the white-tailed sabrewing and the rufous-vented chachalaca.
Best for
Rainforest birding a short taxi ride from the north-coast anchorages