Bermuda Railway Trail
Bermuda Railway Trail
4.1
About
Once the location of the Bermuda Railway, now a walking and biking trail that provides excellent opportunities to see the island by foot.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.1
146 reviews
Excellent
58
Very good
59
Average
14
Poor
9
Terrible
6
Susan R
Cheltenham, UK14 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
My husband and I decided to walk the railway trail in two parts during our 10 day stay in Bermuda. We did the first half (Somerset - Hamilton), it took us around 5 hours and including diverting up to the lighthouse, was around 19.5km. We are fit-ish 50somethings and it was a warm but breezy day.
The trail was not very picturesque and only had a few spots along the coastline. Most of it ran inland but you can see schools, houses etc. We did not find anywhere to get a toilet break or refreshments other than the lighthouse which was halfway and a very big hike uphill to reach. We were extremely pleased and proud to reach our hotel in Hamilton and headed straight to the bar!
The second half (Hamilton - Coney Island) we did in our second week after better researching the route. It was beautiful and I enjoyed much more as it was mostly coastal and the sea colour was mesmerising! There are large portions of walking on the road without pavements due to bridges being out of use and this was the only downside for me as the roads were very busy.
Hugely worth the effort overall and I highly recommend it as a personal challenge. If not, just do sections of the North part of the walk. The bridges over the water are incredible.
I was very glad we didn’t attempt to cycle the whole thing as the trail is broken up with many metal stiles that you have to step over and would also have to lift a bike over.
We finished our second day at Coney Island where the trail stops because it is not joined up to St George and you have to loop round past the airport and along the road causeway to continue it. After this we headed to The Swizzle Inn for refreshments then caught the ‘scenic’ bus No 1 back to Hamilton.
The trail was not very picturesque and only had a few spots along the coastline. Most of it ran inland but you can see schools, houses etc. We did not find anywhere to get a toilet break or refreshments other than the lighthouse which was halfway and a very big hike uphill to reach. We were extremely pleased and proud to reach our hotel in Hamilton and headed straight to the bar!
The second half (Hamilton - Coney Island) we did in our second week after better researching the route. It was beautiful and I enjoyed much more as it was mostly coastal and the sea colour was mesmerising! There are large portions of walking on the road without pavements due to bridges being out of use and this was the only downside for me as the roads were very busy.
Hugely worth the effort overall and I highly recommend it as a personal challenge. If not, just do sections of the North part of the walk. The bridges over the water are incredible.
I was very glad we didn’t attempt to cycle the whole thing as the trail is broken up with many metal stiles that you have to step over and would also have to lift a bike over.
We finished our second day at Coney Island where the trail stops because it is not joined up to St George and you have to loop round past the airport and along the road causeway to continue it. After this we headed to The Swizzle Inn for refreshments then caught the ‘scenic’ bus No 1 back to Hamilton.
Written March 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dave hemingway
South Elmsall, UK81 contributions
Jan 2020
We rode from Hamilton to the Dockyard today. It's a trail that keeps on giving right up to the point where it fizzles out a mile or two from the Dockyard and leaves you on the road (unless you plan a detour through Lagoon Park)
The wife doesn't ride a bike very often so the 16 miles one way was enough for her and being a railway line there are not mny really steep bits. There are a few bits where the old bridges are missing and she had to dismount to tackle them but I rode them. There are a few hop gates on the trail to keep the cars and scooters out and as the wife was lifting the bike over and I didn't trust the free issue hotel fleet bike I opted to carry as well. There are no gates you need to carry over but one set of six steps you need to carry up. I was going to be all manly and help the wife up them but before I'd leaned my bike up, she was up. As I said the trail keeps on giving and the last couple of miles along a vertical cliff ledge just before Somerset are the most spectacular.
The bits through the middle of the island are quite picturesque too with the tree and vine lined cuttings. There are regular views of the sea but it's not constant. I suppose if you want a regular view of the water than a boat trip is what you need to source.
The wife doesn't ride a bike very often so the 16 miles one way was enough for her and being a railway line there are not mny really steep bits. There are a few bits where the old bridges are missing and she had to dismount to tackle them but I rode them. There are a few hop gates on the trail to keep the cars and scooters out and as the wife was lifting the bike over and I didn't trust the free issue hotel fleet bike I opted to carry as well. There are no gates you need to carry over but one set of six steps you need to carry up. I was going to be all manly and help the wife up them but before I'd leaned my bike up, she was up. As I said the trail keeps on giving and the last couple of miles along a vertical cliff ledge just before Somerset are the most spectacular.
The bits through the middle of the island are quite picturesque too with the tree and vine lined cuttings. There are regular views of the sea but it's not constant. I suppose if you want a regular view of the water than a boat trip is what you need to source.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark R
Boston, MA132 contributions
Apr 2022
Renting mountain bikes and rail trail is a way to get out and really see the island taking time to stop and just see the views. A cruiser or mountain bike is best for the trail. The maps we used were not up to date and had the trail poorly marked or not updated with new completed sections. The trail has signage some you can only see as you pass it. Cars we’re tolerate of us on the road even on hill climbs and construction zones.
The trail is now complete with bridges from South Hampton parish up to Hamilton parish. We rode the other way from south Hampton out to the Dockyard. Stopped at Woody’s for lunch on Boaz. A few places were interrupted and we just rode the roadway instead . When we do it again we will stay on the south Hampton to Hamilton parish part of the trail. That section has bridges over the water and connected for longer segments.
The trail is now complete with bridges from South Hampton parish up to Hamilton parish. We rode the other way from south Hampton out to the Dockyard. Stopped at Woody’s for lunch on Boaz. A few places were interrupted and we just rode the roadway instead . When we do it again we will stay on the south Hampton to Hamilton parish part of the trail. That section has bridges over the water and connected for longer segments.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Rented power assisted bikes from Dockyards with hopes of riding and dropping bikes at Grotto Bay. Trail is very poorly marked even though many online guides exist. It was almost impossible to remain on the correct path and we ended on the main roads alot. The trail looks raw and not maintained and the very few signs are bent and faded. Even worse are the constant gates thar require lifting your bike over which begins to tire you out.
With as much as a hamburger costs in Bermuda you would think there would be funds to rehabilitate this terrible maze into a true genuine activity worth the effort. Do not recommend electric bikes at all due to the gates and believe most of the trail portions better suited for walking running etc. We made it to Hamilton and did not go any further.
Go snorkeling instead.
september 2023
With as much as a hamburger costs in Bermuda you would think there would be funds to rehabilitate this terrible maze into a true genuine activity worth the effort. Do not recommend electric bikes at all due to the gates and believe most of the trail portions better suited for walking running etc. We made it to Hamilton and did not go any further.
Go snorkeling instead.
september 2023
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jugheadx3000
ny38 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
BEWARE. Might be fine to walk, but we tried riding bikes on it. not well marked, we wound up on main roadways with the kids. Then there are Gates or Bars along the pathway so you ride the bike so many yards, and you have to get off and pick it up to get over the bar. My wife trying to ride around one of these gates fell and hit her head on a rock. Awful.
Written February 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happiness25571
Philadelphia, PA2 contributions
So it might be a little off the beaten path, and I may not have had the easietst time finding it except for the fact that I befriended a local that took me there one day. We picked up the trail not far from the Research Station and walked for a stretch then sat on the trail end point overlooking the water and old rail road tracks. We saw a few green sea turtles swim by and school of fry jumping from bigger fish.
Along the water's edge we watch giant parrot fish swim by. It was one of the more relaxing and serene areas I was in Bermuda. If you can escape, I would highly recommend this trail. One of the best spots on the island with great vantage points!
Along the water's edge we watch giant parrot fish swim by. It was one of the more relaxing and serene areas I was in Bermuda. If you can escape, I would highly recommend this trail. One of the best spots on the island with great vantage points!
Written August 18, 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angel R
9 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We like to spend one day exploring new areas by bike whenever we travel, so when a recent issue of The New Yorker recommended this trail right before our trip, I was psyched to try it. In the end though, the Bermuda Railway Trail was unquestionably the worst biking experience I have ever had. We started out in Hamilton and planned to bike the 18 miles to Dockyard, but after 3 hours of profuse sweating, biking through calve-smacking weeds, having to stop every couple minutes to lift our bikes over the locked gates, having to carry our bikes up sandy hills, struggling to navigate because the trail frequently crosses roads and then isn't clearly marked where to pick up on the other side, and only very, very rarely coming upon scenic vistas, we quit at 9 miles in and took the Rockaway Ferry back to town. Maybe all of these things would be less bothersome or even fun for a professional biker, but we found the trail pretty miserable.
Written July 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NYretirednlovinit
ALBANY108 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
After numerous visits to this beautiful island, we wanted something different to do for a couple of hours. We were lucky to find reviews on Trip Advisor to help guide us in locating information while on the island. We found the best way to go was to get a Bermuda Railway Trail Map and Guide - from the Ministry of Environment - Dept of Parks. This free map is available at the Tourist Information sites on the island. The trail is actually made of 9 different sections across the island.
With the help of this map, you can pick the route that is best suited for you and your interests and abilities. We took the section closest to The Dockyard where our ship was located. We took the local bus to one end and got on at Somerset Bridge and walked to Somerset Station. Very nice, peaceful and quiet. At the end we jumped back on the bus to return to The Dockyard. The entire walk was about 1 1/2 hours. Very nice and something different and we now hope to conquer a different section every time we visit.
With the help of this map, you can pick the route that is best suited for you and your interests and abilities. We took the section closest to The Dockyard where our ship was located. We took the local bus to one end and got on at Somerset Bridge and walked to Somerset Station. Very nice, peaceful and quiet. At the end we jumped back on the bus to return to The Dockyard. The entire walk was about 1 1/2 hours. Very nice and something different and we now hope to conquer a different section every time we visit.
Written May 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Badgergirl66
Kaukauna, WI34 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
We were looking forward to our trip to Bermuda and biking on the railway trail. What we had read in various guide books made it sound very nice-WRONG! The trail is difficult to find, full of ruts, and worst of all there is a metal barricade every 1/4 mile that you have to lift your bike over. Maybe these have been added recently and we were told they were installed to keep kids from racing mopeds on them but its makes the trail almost unusable. We were able to ride our bikes on the busy roads without incident but its a shame that a potential tourist attraction has been ruined.
Written March 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
548kathyf
Laurel, MD21 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We took the trail from where it started up to the beach area. As other reviewers have commented, the trail is in excellent condition in some portions, but turns to grass, rocks and steps in other places. The trail suddenly stops in many places making it hard to follow. Thankfully we always ran into locals who were very helpful. Luckily we felt safe when we ended up riding on the roads. Be prepared for hills throughout. That said, some of the views were wonderful and it was a good way to see the area.
Written June 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you allowed to ride Scooters on the trail?
Written August 28, 2019
No you are not allowed at all and there are barriers to stop you doing so. Its not for scooters its for walking or cycling.
Written November 30, 2019
Hi,
Thanks for your review of the Bermuda Trail. Can you recommend a section that doesn't have the barriers or otherwise difficult to navigate parts?
I thank you in advance,
Birgit
Written April 14, 2019
Its all easy to ride and the barriers are there to stop the scooters and are not a problem at all. I think they have been over exagerated by people. Its all easy.
Written November 30, 2019
I will be in bermuda this summer and love to walk so can I ask, is the entire railway connected so that is theory if you wanted to walk the entire thing- you could? Were there any good maps of the railway trail available on the island? Thanks
Written March 10, 2019
Yes, the entire route is connected, but there are some places where it is a little tricky. The maps that we found, and used, were of the whole island which made them less detailed than ideal. I used my phone (google maps) to fill in the blanks. The railway trail is shown on google maps, so even in those few hundred feet here-and-there where neither map was distinct I could see where the trail picked up and just aimed for it.
Written March 11, 2019
Hi, we are thinking of doing this excursion. Can you tell me if you are driven back to the ship or do you cycle back? Thanx
Written October 10, 2018
You will have to contact the vendor that you intend to rent the bicycle from. I walked it on my own. The trail runs almost the entire length of the island. Sections go along vehicular roads.
Written October 10, 2018
Arriving by ship at the Dock yards my wife and I would like to rent a couple bikes and see some of the trails attractions. We have been biking on and off road for a few years here in the US. I don't want to spend hours of a valuable day on the island fighting traffic and stressing about finding where the path picks up. (We've had both at other locations). I'm considering booking a tour instead of doing it on our own. Alternatively, taking the ferry and picking up the trail at some midpoint if it bypasses some of the lesser maintained trail. Suggestions?
Written August 19, 2018
hi! arriving via cruise ship. would like to try this excursion. Is it with a tour guide? also, is it nice beach we end up at in the end or just small area of water? thanks so much. oh, also what are the time slots that will be offered via ship or private?
Written February 12, 2017
I booked the excursion myself online but The tour booth is right at the dock. There are two guides with you for the whole bike ride. You end at a cute little beach but are only there about 20 minutes.
Written February 13, 2017
Good Afternoon,i wanted to know if you could provide some additional details, I am not a professional bike rider just ride for fun and i want to book the trip however i do have some concerns
1. is this something for an average person 2. Are the trails along high cliffs or close to the edge when biking 3. how long would you say the bike riding part is approx?
thank you in advance for any help you are able to provide
Written July 17, 2016
Adding further.....dependant on what part you go along, all is only 18miles....you will end up cycling along some parts of the road.bot is not signposted too well, particularly close to Hamilton.
Enjoy, I love it!!
Written July 23, 2016
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