My off-road driviing experience - tips/directions

[Andrea J.]

on horseback it is brutal
it is a treacherous walk

if the horse stumbles and he could it would mean potential serous injury to horse and rider

huge boulders cactus gravel not a very relaxing ride.

that being said, the horses that do that route are well trained and know the routine.

at home, i ride daily, indoor arena. i like to ride in the safest surroundings possible.

in aruba, i like to ride towards the goldmine and the new natural bridge....keeping a good distance away from cactus and rocks ;-)

Originally Posted by fattypatty

i'm not sure how it is via horseback. but it's quite wild and fun via jeep. wobbling over the jagged rocks and traversing steep downhill roads is quite exciting.

[fattypatty]

yes, the ostrich farm is paved. if i remember correctly it's right before you get to the gold mine and natural bridge. there's only one way to get to them via paved road. just follow the directions and you'll pass by the ostrich farm on your left right before you get to the fork in the road for the gold mine/natural bridge.

[peterharman]

Thanks for the tips, Patty. I'd like to have an off-road experience when i get to Aruba.

[wildewoman]

For the best off road experience - try an ATV around to the back side of the island. You will be amazed at the difference in beaches!!

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by fattypatty

North end of the island - driving from the lighthouse to the chapel via the dirt road is very doable. you need to take the 2nd dirt road on the right (leaving the lighthouse) and follow the path. it's a fairly smooth ride to the chapel.

however, from the chapel to the gold mine is not possible in my opinion with a regular SUV. you have to take the left at the 2nd cross (leaving the chapel) and follow the dirt road. everything is pretty much smooth until you reach a narrow point where the cliff is completely separated from each other (looks like the natural bridge w/o the bridge). at this point the road turns uphill sharply - too steep of an incline for an ordinary SUV in my opinion - or it could've been erosion from the hard rain that fell 2 days before our venture. either way, we had to turn the car around (tight u-turn in the confined space) and go back to the chapel and use the paved roads to reach the gold mine (ask for directions - it's right next to the natural bridge).

from the gold mine to natural bridge - easy going. just follow the signs - it takes less than a minute.

I have to agree. Right now that poor little road is in horrible shape. We did make it through on the dirt road all the way to the Natural Bridge in a 12 passenger van, BUT I do not recommend it. Some of the folks inside the van (first time visitors to the island) were freaking out we were going to get stuck.

[sunnysmiles]

Very helpful information-thank you! We plan to rent a jeep on our next trip.

We did one of the tours to the pool and had a great time! So glad we went.

[Sunny Beaches]

Remember if by chance you get stuck, try using the floor mats for traction!

[sunnysmiles]

My husband informed me last night that we are renting a jeep so we can get to the natural pool. I'm scared! Very scared! It was rough going with someone that drove it daily (excursion)!

[fattypatty]

Originally Posted by sunnysmiles

My husband informed me last night that we are renting a jeep so we can get to the natural pool. I'm scared! Very scared! It was rough going with someone that drove it daily (excursion)!

good luck....honestly, i don't know how anyone can even find the correct path!

[Arubalisa]

I love this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKB1jSWXij0&feature=related

Watch closely to see what happens 1:24 into it. Hint- watch the rear tires...