Grand Etang Forest Reserve, in Grenada's mountainous interior 6 mi/10 km northeast of St. George's, deserves an all-day trip from the capital. It has well-marked trails where you can see many of the island's 350 bird species as well as monkeys, opossums and the occasional armadillo. An easy 15-minute walk on Morne La Baye Trail offers a fine introduction to the island's ferns, lichens, trees, flowering plants and grasses. For a challenging hike, take the trail leading up to Fedon's Camp: The short-but-demanding path offers rain-forest views that are worth the effort. At the heart of the reserve (1,740 ft/520 m above sea level) is Grand Etang (Great Pond).
There is a small museum (open Monday-Saturday) at the reserve's Forest Centre that contains some interesting exhibits relating to Grenada's geologic development. http://www.grenada.mot.gd/grand_etang.htm.
Although most trails are well-marked, you can also take a guided hike from a variety of operators. Be aware that the reserve can be 10-15 degrees cooler than the coast and sudden rain showers are likely. It's a good idea to wear nonslip shoes, a hat, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Take along insect repellent and water, too.
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