Hop aboard a mountain bike and blaze through a tropical coastal jungle that is part of the Anse Chastanet Resort in St Lucia. In a course accommodating beginner riders to those with lungs and legs of steel, explore 8 miles (13 km) of jungle trails amid remnants of an 18th-century French sugar plantation. Cool off by snorkeling in the sparkling Caribbean and capture views of the Piton mountains soaring out of the sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lunch and round-trip transport from most Soufrière and Castries hotels are included.
After hotel pickup, take a powerboat cruise down the western coast of St Lucia and arrive 50 minutes later at Anse Chastanet Resort. Located near the town of Soufrière, the hillside resort faces two bay-sheltered volcanic sand beaches, Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin, and includes 400 acres (162 hectares) of tropical forest.
Head into the forest behind Anse Mamin beach and receive a comprehensive safety briefing at a 5,000-square-foot (465-square-meter) facility. Don on a helmet and practice riding your Cannondale F800 Lefty suspension bike in the nearby orientation loop. (Shimano SPD clipless pedals are available at no extra cost.)
When youre ready, pedal off! If youre new at this, stick to flatter and wider terrains. Not quite the expert, but not a novice either? Challenge yourself on single-track trails designed with a roller coaster in mind. If you fancy yourself a Tinker Juarez, champion BMX and mountain-bike racer, then take on the steep hills and tight switchbacks of Tinker Trail (laid out by Mr. Juarez himself). After several lung-sapping miles, reach a hilltop and ring Tinkers Bell to sound your victory. Then fly downhill for an adrenaline-thumping ride.
No matter your skill level, pass through alluring jungle landscapes punctuated with the historical ruins of a colonial sugar plantation, including a stone waterwheel and large reservoir. Inhale heady scents of guava, mango, cocoa, banana, citrus and breadfruit, or stop to admire wild orchids.
After the bike ride, settle down into a beach chair and enjoy one of the Caribbean's most scenic coastlines. Then dig into a delicious lunch at the resorts Jungle Beach Bar & Grill (vegetarian options available).
