#mt tabor loop

The following is a Field Trip Report of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club’s trip to Mt. Tabor. The trip was on 30th March, 2008 and is written by Damian Robinson. It is an excerpt from the TTFNC’s quarterly bulletin, The Field Naturalist, Issue No. 2/2008.

The March monthly field trip was to Mount St. Benedict, which is located on the southern facing slopes of the Northern Range. All of the twenty-five (25) members and guests that were present for this field trip finally gathered atop the mount at around 7:30 a.m. The brief delay arose when separate groups chose to park their vehicles at the Church and at the Top of the Mount complex respectively. The former group was furthest from the meeting point and encountered heavy rainfall en-route to the others, the day having begun very overcast and rainy. Once the groups converged and the rain lessened Professor Cooper got things going by pointed out a tarantula he had sighted on a nearby wall. After hearing a bit on their biology we descended from the car park to a well marked benched trail through the forest and commenced the St. Benedict field trip.

The Abbey of Mount St. Benedict situated 600 feet above sea level is a significant tourist attraction that provides spiritual guidance to Christians and Non-Christians. On the entrance to the monastery, there is a large sign written in Latin "PAX" meaning a "place where peace reigns". In October 2012, The Abbey of Mount St Benedict celebrated its 100th anniversary. The history of Mount Saint Benedict goes back to 1911 when Abbot Dom Mayeul de Caigny of Brazil wrote to the Archbishop of Port_Of_Spain John Pius to establish a Benedictine foundation in Trinidad. The Archbishop granted permission and on the 17th January 1912, Dom Mayeul purchased a small estate located in the hills of Tunapuna from Mr Andrew Victoriano Gomez. Tunapuna, which means “the way of the water”, had no roads and to get there meant climbing the steep hills on foot. The Abbot became impressed by the splendid views and serene ambience. The asking price was 4000 pounds, and the first building was a Tapia Hut. The first Mass to be celebrated was on the 10th August 1913. During the period, 1912-1918, a church, guesthouse, workshop, living quarters and kitchen constructed. By 1918, the daily crowds increased to such an extent that the monks needed to find a more secluded place for recollection and study. The monks looked at the nearby hilltops and Mt. Thabor situated at 1851 feet above sea level was the site chosen. This new monastery built to accommodate young monks studying theology and those seeking seclusion from the influx of daily visitors. By 1922, the mansion at Mt. Thabor contained fifteen rooms, a chapel, a large hall and two towers 40 feet high. Reserved on each side of the tower were the Papal Flag and the Union Jack, seen from miles around. A place for solitude and to visit the public had to obtain written permission. However, the difficulty to climb the high mountain and bring supplies caused the property to be abandoned. Today all left of this majestic structure is some concrete ruins. The wooden Tapia castle now destroyed by the rugged elements of nature. Mount St. Benedict became an Abbey in February 1947 and on 3rd June 1947 Dom Adelbert van Duin a monk stationed there became the first Abbot. His motto "to be at the service to all" and he received his abbatial blessing from Archbishop Finbar Ryan on 16 June 1947. Over the years, the hilltops that surround Mt. St Benedict are venerable to bush fires and to preserve the forest the forestry division replanted pine trees. The uphill walk to the Pines where Mt Thabor situated will take 40 minutes. At the summit, the grandeur of the towering pine trees and the peaceful atmosphere feels like no other. The soothing mountain breeze blowing across the valley creates a relaxing sensation. There are fantastic and breath-taking views of Maracas St. Joseph countryside, the East –West Corridor and the Central Plains. On the compound, there is cafeteria and gift shop to assist in the up keeping of the church. Mt St Benedict also distributes yogurt and once known for having the best honey. 

Getting To: Mt Tabor Loop 

This is a drive through of the directions found here and I’ll explain what goes on in the video.

Firstly, the driver is approaching from the east on the Eastern Main Road and before he turns right (north) onto St. John’s Road, you can briefly see the Scotiabank branch on his right. He then proceeds along St. John’s Road until he reaches a junction where there is a white cross and brown directional sign indicating Mt. St. Benedict (around 2:21) on the left. Taking this road, he continues past the entrance to the church and at around 4:50, he comes to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre. You can park your vehicle outside there because, as shown, the rest of the road is usually blocked. At 5:35, he looks towards the dilapidated and abandoned St. Benet’s Hall which has a paved area by the front staircase. The end of the trail is immediately to the rear of the paved area on the left side. Driving further along, the road becomes unpaved and ends around 6:25 in the vicinity of a telecommunications tower. The trail then starts at the end of the road. 

Type: Trail Walk

The Mt Tabor Loop which is also known as the Mount St. Benedict Short Bird-watchers’ Loop is a circuit which goes traverses the south western and south eastern spurs of Mt. Tabor but does not actually reach its summit. Nonetheless, the southwestern spur is one of the most recognizable features in the northern range due to its pine covered face and from the ridge, there are spectacular views of the surrounding areas especially if you take a climb up the fire watchtower.

The trail passes through pine plantations and evergreen forest. The pine trees which are mostly fire resistant were planted as a reforestation project due to the hills being constantly ravaged by bush fires. As such, be careful when hiking during the dry season. 

Difficulty: 4 - Moderate

Time: 2 hours but could take 3 hours if the trail isn’t cleared

Distance: 3.6 km

The trail along the spurs is steep so it’s a good workout. It’s a lovely hike if the trail is cleared but if it isn’t, it can be quite frustrating since you’ll have to be clearing razor grass. Don’t recommend that you do the full loop unless you’re with a hiking group but doing the southwestern spur up to the ridge by itself (which will take about an hour one way) is definitely worth it.

Useability: Complex

The loop gets a complex rating due to the path on the southeastern spur being completely overgrown and unrecognizable on most occasions due to bush fires every dry season which allows razor grass to regrow everywhere. On the first occasion I tried the loop and attempted to clear the path (I didn’t know the trail disappeared), I got at least 100 cuts all over my arms and legs as I wore regular shorts and a jersey (learnt the hard way why its called razor grass). However, for the southwestern section, it’s a clear route up the spur and along the ridge until you meet a bracken fern patch where I suggest you turn back and just relax among the pines. 

Accessibility: Straightforward

Refer to the following post for more details:

Getting To: Mt Tabor Loop 

Getting To: Mt Tabor Loop (Video) 

Safety: Safe

Mt. St Benedict is a monastery nestled on the southern face of the Northern Range of Trinidad. At the end of the road leading to the monastery, the trail for the Mt. Tabor Loop begins as a small track next to a cell tower site. From there, it is a straightforward journey to the ridge. As it is a loop, you can start at the other end which is located to the north-west of St. Benet's Hall (which is also near the end of the road). However, I don't recommend that you start at the latter point nor continue past the pine trees on the trail from the original trail head due to that section of the trail being overgrown. 

 To get to the trail head if you are driving, proceed along the Eastern Main Road between Tunapuna and St. Augustine and turn north onto St. John's Road. There is a brown directional sign indicating the direction to Mt. St. Benedict but the more recognizable landmark is the Scotia Bank building at that junction. Heading west, you will pass the Tunapuna Police Station and Auzonville Mall while heading east, you will pass Lakshmi Girls Secondary School before that junction. Continue up St. John's Road until you see the turnoff to Mt. St Bendict on the left as indicated by a street sign. Follow this road till the end passing the church and drug rehabilitation centre. Sometimes the road continuing to St. Benet's Hall is chained off but it's only a short walk from that point to the trail head.