Bermuda Nature Trails
Despite being world's one of the most densely populated islands, Bermuda surprisingly has wide diversity of nature and beautiful trails that you can explore on foot and experience the bounty of nature.
The south shore beaches along with their coves and caves, the nature reserves, parks and gardens, forested areas, lovely scenic trail along the northern coastline are all great treasures. These trails are the best ways to experience a wide range of Bermuda's flora and fauna while enjoying nature's beauty.
Following are my select list of nature trails in Bermuda and the ones we love to hike every time we are in the island.
The reserve is located at the south-eastern end of Bermuda at St. David's. After a short visit to the St. David's Lighthouse, walk to reach the reserve which is located between two nice shallow water beaches - Clearwater beach and the Turtle beach. Cooper's Island Nature Reserve with its endemic plantations, varieties of birds and great views of the Castle Harbor is an excellent place for nature lovers. Checkout the above link for details.
Located at Hamilton Parish, this dense forest area is full of natural caves and pools, and offers wonderful nature trails through the reserve. The woodland area is also known as the Tom Moore's Jungle because the Irish poet Tom Moore wrote some of his great poetic verses sitting under a calabash tree here.
The name Walsingham has been given after the coxswain of the ship Sea Venture that strayed in severe storm and wrecked near Bermuda in 1609. He loved exploring caves and pools, and was the first to discover this forest which is one of the most geologically ancient areas of Bermuda.
Spanning across 12 acres, the reserve also includes the Blue Hole Hill Park and many swimming grottos. The best way to enter the park is from its Blue Hole Park entrance located at the western end of the causeway that connects St. Georges with the rest of Bermuda. You will need hiking boots as the terrain at times is uneven and hilly. I would suggest that you go with a companion and not alone.
This 18 mile long trail is perhaps the most popular and scenic trail in Bermuda. This once was the railway path on which trains used to run between east to west. While you can walk the trail, cycling is also allowed and so is horse riding. There are several sections in the trail most of which goes along the north shore of Bermuda. Highlights include the beautiful bays, nature reserves and park lands with many different bird life, flora and fauna, lush landscapes and more.
If you like to walk along the coast line with magnificent views of the ocean, several lovely beaches and coves, then this 1.25-mile walk along the south shore park trail can be a memorable experience. The trail starts from Horseshoe Bay Beach in Southampton and extends towards east up to Warwick Long Bay beach in Warwick Parish. You can either take the trail that goes at the upper level by the cliff side through dunes and offering breathtaking views of the water and beaches, or walk along the waterline hopping from one beach to the other.
Located in Sandy's Parish off the Middle road, this is an unspoiled area having vast stretch of farmlands and forest area. A visit to this place will take you back in time and you can visualize how Bermuda used to be 100 years back. The secluded Hog Bay Park is also a great location for bird watching. There are large varieties of birds that can be seen here. As you hike along the trail towards west and cross over the thickets and the forest area, you can see the lovely coastline and finally a gem of a beach. In the park, don't miss out on getting a view from the stand made out of dead cedars. You get a dramatic view of the park with blue ocean behind it.
The nature reserve is located in Southampton Parish near Barnes' Corner. This is also one of the great places in Bermuda for bird watching. Cross over the pond to see many Bermuda cedars and pepper trees in the wooded area, and farmlands towards west. The Bermuda Aubudon Society that maintains the park, organizes a half mile walk through the nature trail here. Cross over the Church Road and reach the Bermuda Railway Trail to further explore the landscape.
Located in Paget Parish, this is the largest peat marsh surviving in Bermuda and spreads across some 25 acres of area. This is a wonderful inland area with diverse habitat that includes wide array of wildlife, native plantations and many species of migratory birds. With boardwalks that reach into the depths, this peaceful sanctuary is a true delight to the nature lovers. From the boardwalk, you can see orange mangroves with their aerial roots swinging in the breeze. Paget Marsh can be easily accessed from Lover's Lane that goes in from the junction of South Road and Middle Road in Paget Parish.
Located in Smith's Parish and not too far west of the popular John Smiths Bay Beach, Spittal Pond covers 2.5 acres of coastal area and is one of the first designated nature reserves in Bermuda. As you take a leisurely stroll across this reserve, you will see a brackish pond on which the reserve is named. You will also see the largest salt marsh of the island, native plantations, south shore reefs and many different kinds of birds. Spittal Pond reserve is one of the best bird locations in Bermuda.
This is a guided combination tour where you are first taken on a short cruise to a small harbor in Somerset. This is followed by 1.5 to 2 miles of hike to explore the western section of the Railway Trail. The highlights include the Fort Scaur, a 17th century estate, scenic views and interesting flora and fauna.
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 By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj, a seasoned travel writer and Bermuda destination expert, has extensive global travel experience. This website reflects his profound insights, garnered over nearly two decades of dedicated findings and research on the island. Raj has assisted countless Bermuda-bound visitors by providing direct, personalized responses to their queries and imparting his wealth of knowledge through this platform. This site serves as an indispensable guide for those seeking informed and reliable insights into Bermuda's treasures.
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Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Molly (May 2014)
Hello! I will be cruising to Bermuda at the beginning of June and I am particularly interested in nature hikes. Is there anything in particular on the west end of the island or easily traveled to from King's Wharf? Thank you for your assistance and consideration.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) May 2014
At the west end the Railway Trail starts from Somerset (Sandys) which is close to Kings Wharf (few minutes by bus #7 or 8). The trail extends to east and along the way you can enjoy the ocean views, nature and its flora and fauna, Scaur fort etc. The trail mostly goes along the north shore, reaches Hamilton (no trail here) and then continues all the way up to St George (a total of 18 miles). So you can hike as long as you want and return.
Another option is to hike the trail of South Shore Park. It starts from Horseshoe Bay Beach (35 minutes from Kings Wharf by bus #7) and extends towards east for about 1.25 miles. The trail goes below the cliff and through dunes at a higher level and offers magnificent views of several beaches and coves. You can however walk along the waterline as well. This will give you a chance to enjoy the water and the beaches, but along the way you will need to wade around few rocky formations. If you do this, wear some kind of beach shoes.
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