While out exploring the cliffs above Crocus Bay, we continued down a road heading west which then took a lunge for the sea. Partway down the hill, we saw a villa and parking area. Getting out, we continued walking down the hill and discovered we were at Katouche Bay.

As we were on the north, Atlantic, side of Anguilla, the surf was fairly rough.

The shore was backed by a dense forest. As we returned uphill to the car, it seemed to me that the forest hid a canyon. This both surprised and intrigued me, so I decided to do more research. I discovered that there was indeed a canyon and that within the canyon there were two caverns. On YouTube, I found a couple of videos showing how one could hike from the shore, through the forest, up ancient Awarkan stone stairs, and arrive at an entrance to one of the caverns. This sounded exciting, so a few days later, we set out on the hike.

The entrance to the trail is at a break in the trees along the shore. Almost immediately, the trail passes along the edge of a marshy salt pond. The trail would not be passable in wet weather.

A little ways along the trail, we came to an old, dry well, possibly from the 1700s when this site was part of a plantation.

After walking slowly uphill for awhile, we came to the Arawak Stairs, which made for a much steeper climb. I don’t know for sure that the stairs date from the time of the Amerindians, but they are clearly quite old and do lead to the entrance of a cavern. As shown by research on The Fountain Cavern, caverns were viewed as sacred places by the Amerindians.

Peering into the forest, we saw amazing, limestone rock formations.

As we climbed higher, we saw a variety of cactus, including this amazing cactus grove.

Our climb finally ended at the cave entrance. It was locked, but looking in, daylight was visible in the distance, so there was probably another entrance to the cave.

Having just celebrated a major leveling up birthday, I was very pleased that I was able to make this hike. However, I was concerned about the return trip down the hill. Fortunately, we found a sturdy walking stick so I was able to make it back to the shore safely. Although I did take a break to rest on a tree branch.

The higher reaches of the hill were covered by many types of cactus.

But the lower reaches of the Katouche Canyon are considered to be Anguilla’s sole rainforest which ends at the beach.

The entire hike probably took us about 45 minutes. If the hikers are younger, it is probably a much faster hike! But if you have leveled up several times as I have, I recommend that you bring a sturdy walking stick, good shoes, a hat, water, and take your time. It is well worth the effort to find this gem of Anguilla!