You’ve just reached the Cayman Islands. Its pearly white sand, crystal clear blue waters, and Cayman Kind people bring thousands just like you to visit every year. Your first or fifth time, it’s often a good day to be outdoors.
Here are 4 hiking trails to check out during your stay:
1. Mastic Trail, Grand Cayman
Source: The National Trust for the Cayman Islands
Length: 4.6 miles
Closest town: Bodden Town
Difficulty level: Moderate
Average time to complete: 2 hours
Equipment needed: Water, running/hiking shoes, bug spray, sunscreen.
Terrain: Boggy, rocky, some inclines.
Mobility issue friendly: No, due to inclines and narrow, uneven path.
(From The National Trust for the Cayman Islands): Explore some of the last remaining untouched old-growth forests of the Caribbean. Located in the interior Mastic Reserve, The Mastic Trail is one of several natural heritage sites managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.
Hikers will learn about rare trees including the Mastic tree, from which the Reserve and Trail take their name. Several bird species, butterflies, snakes (not poisonous), frogs, crabs and lizards are a few of the animals that make the reserve their home.
Excursion includes expertly guided tour of with arrangements at trail end back to vehicle
Tour schedule: email tours@nationaltrust.org.ky
2. Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Grand Cayman
Source: Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
Length: 1.49 miles
Closest town: North Side
Difficulty level: Easy
Average time to complete: 35 minutes to 2 hours depending on siteseeing
Equipment needed: Sandals or running shoes, water, hat
Terrain: Wide, gravel trail, some shaded areas
Mobility issue friendly: Wheelchair and scooter friendly, may not be suitable for leg/knee/foot mobility issues
(From Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park): Enjoy a leisurely walk-through colorful garden; sit down near the lake and relax in the natural display which is the home of the endangered Grand Cayman Blue Iguana. The two-acre lake also serves as a habitat and breeding ground for native birds and other rare aquatic birds and animals native to the Caribbean.
The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park includes seven main attractions – the Visitor’s Centre, the Floral Garden, Orchid Boardwalk, Xerophytic Garden, Heritage Garden, Woodland Trail, and the Children’s Garden (under development).
The Park is located in the district of North Side on Frank Sound Road and is situated on 65 acres of land owned by the Cayman Islands Government and the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.
The Botanic Park is also the site of the Blue Iguana Conservation Facility, a captive breeding facility and test site for the endangered Blue Iguana population. The Blue Iguana is only found on the island of Grand Cayman – on your visit you may even see one!
3. Lighthouse Footpath, Cayman Brac
Source: AFAR Media
Length: 2.5 miles (One Way)
Closest town: Spot Bay
Difficulty level: Moderate
Average time to complete: 2.5 hours
Equipment needed: Water, running/hiking shoes, wide brim hat, sunscreen.
Terrain: Sharp, uneven rock
Mobility issue friendly: No
(From Visit Cayman Islands): The painted panels tell the story of early settlement, the ecology of our wetlands and our protected birds, the booby and the parrot. If you hike alone, inform your hotel of your intended routes. The limestone cracks easily, so be aware on the hiking paths — and never go too close to the edge of the Bluff.
4. Parrot Preserve, Cayman Brac
Source: The National Trust for the Cayman Islands
Length: 2 miles
Closest town: Stake Bay
Difficulty level: Moderate
Average time to complete: 1.5 hours
Equipment needed: Water, running shoes, wide brim hat, sunscreen, camera
Terrain: Boardwalk and rocky path (northern path) and grassy, irregular stone path (southern path)
Mobility issue friendly: No, due to sharp rocks and irregular stones
(From The National Trust for the Cayman Islands): The Brac Parrot Reserve encompasses 282 acres of contiguous protected land that is dominated by pristine, ancient dry forest on a very rough and rocky terrain. A great diversity of native trees support breeding pairs of the Cayman Brac Parrot (Amazona leucocephala hesterna) as well as other forest birds such as the Red-legged Thrush, White-crowned Pigeon (“Bald Pate”) and Black-whiskered Vireo. In the winter months, the reserve is also filled with neotropical migrant songbirds, escaping cold northern climates.
Don’t just stay active, stay #CaymanActive.
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