Chaguaramas_Biking_Trails

Many persons use the Chaguaramas penninsula for cycling and the most popular area is the Macqueripe Road. Although this road has reduced vehicular traffic when compared to many other major roads in Trinidad, there is still significant vehicle traffic. Chagaramas however because of its old military roads and natural vegetation provides several cycling areas with little or no vehicle traffic while mentally refreshing you with the sights of nature.

Shortly after you enter Chaguaramas National Park, immediately after the Kayak Center on the northwestern side of the Western Main Road is a narrow old road that is barred by a metal barrier gate. There is usually a fruit seller at the entrance to the road. Going around the gate takes you into an area that is known as Guave Road and enables you to ride through an area that is mixed agricultural and secondary forest. The road is mainly packed dirt and eventually exits onto Macqueripe Road.

Further along Macqueripe Road on the left (eastern side), just before Samaan Park, is Covigne Road. The entire ride along this road is through secondary forest. At the eastern end of Covigne Road is a single bar barrier to prevent vehicle access but cyclists can easily go around the barrier. As you continue there is a choice of going left or right. The left turn leads to the Cuesa River and shortly before the river on the right (east) there is a slight incline that leads to a nutmeg grove and a rivulet that tumbles over a rock face, providing a refreshing shower. The trail on the right immediately after the barrier provides the opportunity for an exciting ride through vegetation as the road narrows to a single person track with the vegetation pressing close. There is a gentle uphill climb that leads to a former World War 2 bunker. To leave the Covigne Road area you have to go back along the same route as you entered. An interesting addition to this ride is to use the Huggins Trail (described on our Other Hikes Page) as the entry point to Covigne Road.

Further along Macqueripe Road is the road that leads to the Chaguaramas Golf Course. This well paved road provides a ride through alternating patches of secondary forest and former tonka bean estate. When riding through this area you can often hear the roar of the Howler monkeys and in the evenings you can see the Amazon parrots coming in to roost. The road ends at the golf course car park and clubhouse. During the rainy season you can see the water tumbling down Edith Falls which gives a dramatic backdrop to the clubhouse. For those in need of light refreshments after the exertions of their ride, the clubhouse provides the opportunity for a light snack. To the right of the car park (northwestern side) there is an old road along which you can continue your ride and which exits onto Macqueripe Road.

As one approaches the end of Macqueripe Road near to Macqueripe Beach, there is a road on the right (eastern side) that leads to the tracking station. The early part of this ride goes through arching stands of bamboo that have an almost cathedral feel. The latter portion of this ride is well suited for those who want a strong cardio-vascular workout because after the bamboo grove it is an uphill climb to the tracking station.

At the northern end of Macqueripe Road lies Macqueripe Beach whose crystal clear waters always invite you to abandon your bikes for a short while and have a swim. For the avid mountain biker the Macqueripe to Chagaramas Golf Course trail, which begins at the Macqueripe Beach car park, is an exciting ride.

At the southern end of Macqueripe Road immediately after the former power station (Base nightclub) there is a road on the left (western side) that has a metal swing gate for blocking vehicles. Cyclists can easily go around the gate. This is a relatively short ride through secondary forest and then to the Government experimental farm. On afternoons and weekends there is no exit from this area, so cyclists have to retrace their route and exit at the entry point.

Many of the rides through these various areas that branch off along the Macqueripe Road are not of extended duration, however their close proximity allows you to mix and match areas to get a variety of road surfaces and riding environments.