Gorda Peak National Park
Declared in 1974
The Park supports some of the best dry forest remaining in the Caribbean. It is the second highest point in the BVI climbing to 1370 feet above sea level.
The biological diversity in the Park is one of the richest in the Caribbean. It is home to some of the rarest plants found in the Virgin Islands and contains six species of native Orchids.
Native animals, which include reptiles, amphibians, birds, bats, and invertebrates also make the Park their home.
Gorda Peak is the highest point on Virgin Gorda and is one of the highest in the Virgin Islands exceeded only by mountains on Tortola and St. Thomas.
The 265 acres of dry forest was donated to the National Parks Trust by renowned Philanthropist Lawrence Rockefeller in 1974 to be preserved.
Virgin Gorda's easterly position in the Virgin Islands group, partially accounts for the low rainfall that the Park receives. The eastern side of the mountain receives the less rainfall, however a unique high-elevation dry forest has survived for centuries.
This is partly because the western side, which received more rainfall was cleared and cultivated for agricultural purposes after the Europeans arrived in the territory.
The plants on this side of the park exhibit signs of adaptation to the dry conditions. Some have waxy leaves, which prevents water evaporation, while others have given up leafs altogether.
Animal life is just as vibrant as plants. There are three species of tree fogs, which are found in the bromeliads in Gorda Peak. The most common of these is the Virgin Islands "Bo-peep," which gets its name from the sound it makes. There are also soldier crabs, snakes and several species of birds. Another unique feature of this park is that it is home to the world's smallest lizard, the Virgin Gorda Gecko.
The wooden look out tower at the peak offers a commanding, panoramic view of the Virgin Islands. Directly below you is North Sound with its enclosing islands. More than 15 miles to the north lies the paper-flat island of Anegada. Looking westward the other Virgin Islands unfold before your eyes. On a clear day you can see St. Croix which is more than 50 miles to the Southeast.
The park has picnic benches where you can rest after hiking through one of the trails or spend part of your day under the shade of a tropical tree.
Gorda Peak is also the subject of a three-year biodiversity research project funded by the Charles Darwin Initiative.
