Mt. St. Benedict Exercise Loop.

This walking / exercise trail starts at the corner of St. John’s Road and St. John’s Trace in St. Augustine at 10.65559° N and -61.39457° W. Turn heading 44° along St. John’s Road. This is a rather steep ascent. At St. Michael’s Village Road located 10.66104° N and -61.39208° W turn heading 252° to continue along St. John’s Road. The climb is a bit steeper but the views along this stretch of the walk make the journey worthwhile. You’re afforded great views of the Central plains with Mt. Tamana on the Central Range and on clear days the San Fernando Hill is visible. Some days you’re able to see along the southern coastline along the way to Point Fortin. Along the way you’ll encounter the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs. This is located at 10.66140° N and -61.39539° W. Continue along St. John’s Road. Turn heading 130° at the junction located at 10.66251° N and -61.39697° W to get to Mt. St. Benedict Monastery. This is located at 10.66273° N and -61.39610° W. So when I left the monastery I continued heading 287° at the junction located at 10.66251° N and -61.39697° W. This continues along St. John’s Road. The New Life Ministries Drug Rehabilitation Center is located along here at 10.66325° N and -61.39881° W. The “top of the mount” is located at St. Bennet’s Hall at 10.66410° N and -61.39911° W though the actual trig marker lies just beyond there. I continued to the Mt. Tabor Trailhead located at 10.66431° N and -61.40034° W. There’s a cell tower located here at an elevation of a mere 258m. From here I walked all the way down St. John’s Road until the intersection with the Eastern Main Road at 10.64506° N and -61.39579°W.

So the only precaution with this particular walk is the fact that St. John’s Road is very narrow in places and drivers appear not to appreciate pedestrians on the road. There are small segments of paved sidewalks but not much else. So one would want to exercise caution along St. John’s Road. Other than that just get out there and enjoy this refreshing and completely invigorating walk up to the mount…

Happy Trails…