By Landolfo Mancini 
Although Aruba is best known for its beaches and other fun activities, there are also easy, family-friendly hikes on the island where you can see natural pools, rock arches and desert landscapes in the Arikok National Park.
Don’t expect anything really stunning like the scenery you might see in US national parks, but hiking in Aruba can still be a great way to escape the crowds and enjoy the coast while burning calories.
This is our guide to some of the best hikes in Aruba! If you have any other favorites, let me know in the comments at the end of the blog post.
1. Natural pool of Conchi
The Conchi Natural Pool is one of the most famous places in the Arikok National Park. It is a beautiful turquoise tidal pool where you can swim, surrounded by a rock wall that protects you from the crashing waves.
There are several ways to get to the natural pool. Most people go on a jeep tour, but you can also hike from the Arikok Visitor Center.
On the way you can see goats and lizards and other interesting things, and the main advantage is swimming in the natural pool at the end of the trail.
It’s a long, exposed hike that can be very hot. I recommend that you buy your park pass the day before so that you can start the hike no after than 6 in the morning. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen and more water than you think is necessary.
Distance: 10.5 km round trip
Duration: 3-4 hours
2. Natural Pool Of daimari in Conchi
Another way to get to the Conchi Natural Pool is to hike from Daimari Bay. I like this route better because it is a little easier and most of the time is spent hiking along the coast.
On the way you will also pass Boca Keto, a rugged twin beach with a unique rock formation called “Klein Aruba” (miniature Aruba), as it looks like a smaller version of the island of Aruba from above!
It was our favorite hike in Arikok National Park, and we didn’t see a single person all the time.
Don’t forget to wear a hat and sunscreen and bring plenty of water. This is the most remote part of the island, so you don’t want to get into trouble here.
You need to park on the hill in front of the Rancho daimari (map here), as the road is very high with huge potholes.
Distance: 4 km round trip
Duration: 60 to 90 minutes
3. Seroe Colorado Natural Bridge
Aruba is home to several rock bridges that have been formed over the years due to sea erosion, and the most popular one is the andicuri Bay Natural Bridge, which is now visited by many day trips.
However, the best rock bridge on Aruba is a little more difficult to find and is not yet really visited by sightseeing tours. I’m talking about the seroe Colorado Natural Bridge, which is located on the southern corner of the island of Aruba. You can find it on the map here.
The Seroe Colorado is an awesome bridge and almost looks like a picture frame for the ocean! You can visit it by driving to San Nicolas in your own vehicle and then taking a short (but tricky) 10-minute hike over the rocks.
The road to this natural bridge is not marked and the path is somewhat peril, with sharp rocks and steep descent. I would recommend it only to foot-safe people with good shoes, but the effort is worth it!
4. Casibari Rocks
The Casibari rock formation is a beautiful small free place in the center of Aruba, where you can climb a pile of rocks and enjoy a panoramic view of the island.
There is a staircase leading to the top of the rocks, so it is feasible for all ages, even if you still have to work for it. You can reach the summit in a few minutes of climbing. The platform at the top is fenced for safety reasons, but you should still keep an eye out for young children.
From the rocks you have a stunning view of the island of Aruba and the Hooiberg Hill, which is one of the highest points on the island. Don’t expect anything too stunning, but it’s still worth a visit!
5. Hooiberg Hill
Hooiberg Hill in the center of Aruba is the second highest point on the island of Aruba with a height of 165 meters. The name ‘Hooiberg’ means haystack in Dutch and comes from the shape of the hill.
Although it may seem daunting, the Hooiberg is not too difficult to climb and fit hikers can reach the summit in just 20 minutes. There are paved stairs to the top, although there are hundreds of steps!
This is a good workout, so I would avoid doing it in the middle of the day, when the temperatures are at their hottest. You definitely need to bring a hat and a lot of water.
From the top you have a breathtaking view of the entire island of Aruba and you can see as far as Venezuela in South America. It is also a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset!
Distance: 1 km round trip
Duration: ~30 minutes
6. Rocks of Ayo
The Ayo rock formation is another nice little hike on Aruba that is suitable for families, children and travelers of all ages.
It’s fun to climb on these huge rocks, and you can even see native petroglyphs left there long ago by the Arawaks, the first settlers of the island.
Caves and passages between the rocks add another fun element to the experience, but watch out for wasp nests as you will sometimes see them here.
We found this place by chance while driving through Aruba, but it was a lot of fun to explore it. It’s free to enter and open 24/7.
7. North Lake Trail
This trail starts at the parking lot of the famous natural bridge of Aruba, which is visited by many day trips (map here). The hike will take you to Blackstone Beach, one of the most unique beaches in Aruba.
This secluded beach is not suitable for swimming, as it has strong currents, but it is covered with smooth black rocks and an unusual natural trident bridge called Tripode Bridge.
I decided to turn around after reaching Blackstone Beach, but if you keep driving, the trail will eventually take you to daimari Beach and Conchi Natural Pool. All in all, this is one of the best hikes in Aruba if you want to see unusual beaches and sea arches!