These three delightful walking routes in and around Hamilton, Bermuda—perfect for a sunny afternoon—showcasing the city’s vibrant urban charm, lush green spaces, and scenic coastal nature trails.
Each walk promises a unique adventure and a closer connection to Bermuda’s natural beauty.
See a map key at the bottom of the page.
City of Hamilton
Overview:
This hike takes you long the capitals city’s waterfront, bustling with stores and restaurants. The route winds past government landmarks, churches, and parks. Fort Hamilton is the high point of this hike, Landscaped ramparts afford sweeping views across Hamilton, and the moat hides a jungle trail.
On the Trail
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Begin the walk at the corner of Front Street and Queen Street, where the “Birdcage” stands. A knee-socked bobby sometimes directs rush-hour traffic here. As you want along Front Street, take a look inside the picturesque alleys and arcades that cross the city north to south.
Mile 0.2, Kilometre 0.3
Across Parliament Street is the Cenotaph, a memorial to Bermudians who lost their lives in the two World Wars. This monument fronts the Cabinet Building, seat of Bermuda’s government. The obelisk to the right of the Cabinet commemorates Governor Reid, remembered for developing Bermuda’s agriculture in the mid-1800s. Veer left on Court Street and walk up to the House of Parliament. This building was erected in 1815 when the capitial moved to Hamilton. It was later adored with neo-Italian mouldings to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in the late 1800s.
Turn right onto Church Street, then left onto King Street.
Mile 0.6, Kilometre 1.0
Walk up King Street, past Victoria Street, and at the peak of the hill cross King Street and take the staircase where a cannon stands. Walk up Happy Valley Road to Fort Hamilton. The fort was under construction from 1868-1888 but never completed. It was intended to strengthen British defences on the Western Atlantic after American Independence. Fort Hamilton is now a landscaped park whose ramparts offer sweeping views over the city, the harbour, and Gibb’s Hill in the background. Walk down to the moat, where botanical gardens have grown into an impressive jungle.
Mile 1.1, Kilometre 1.7
From Fort Hamilton walk left down Happy Valley Road, take the flight of stairs, cross King Street, and turn right on Church Street. After Parliament Street you may note Bermuda’s Anglican Cathedral on your right. You may walk up the tower’s 153 steps for a panoramic view over the island. Turn right on Cedar Avenue, which was shading by towering cedars before a scale infestation killed most of them in the 1940s. Continue past Victoria Park to St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral and the Mosque further left.
Mile 1.8, Kilometre 2.9
Walk back down Cedar Avenue and enter Victoria Park. The park was designed to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, replacing a swampy pond. A small obelisk is a memorial to the members of the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps who lost their lives in the two World Wars. At the opposite side of the park turn left up Washington Street, then right on Victoria Street. Walk around the front of City Hall, topped by a large ship wind vane representing the Sea Venture. City Hall houses the Bermuda National Gallery and the Bermuda Society of Arts.
Mile 2.0, Kilometre 3.2
From City Hall cross Church Street safely heading right, then go down Queen Street. At the base of the hill, the house with a wraparound verandah is a historic landmark that belonged to William Perot, postmaster in the early 1800s. The estate’s garden has been turned into Queen Elizabeth Park (formerly Par-la-Ville Park) The next building is to your right is the old Perot post office. The first Bermudian postage stamps – a rarity for philatelists – were issued there.
Mile 2.1, Kilometre 3.3
Enter Queen Elizabeth Park at the back of the post office and follow one of the footpaths to the left. As you exit the park you walk through a moongate – a circular stone stone arch that reputedly brings good fortune. Walk down the steps and turn left on Par-la-Ville Road, then right on Pitt’s Bay Road. A few yards ahead, take the stairs down to Barr’s Bay Park on the left to enjoy the view of the harbour and marina. Retrace your steps to the Birdcage.
Paget Marsh to Hungry Bay
Overview:
This hike takes you past a lookout with sweeping views across Hamilton Harbour to the Paget Marsh Nature Reserve. The Long Circuit continues alone the Railway Trail to the scenic cove Hungry Bay.
On the Trail
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Begin the hike at the foot of Highwood Lane and walk up the hill for a sweeping view over Hamilton Harbour. Cruise ships may be moored along Front Street with the colourful town in the background. Bear left on Highwood Lane at the hilltop. A few yards ahead bear right on the main roadway. You are following a quiet road lined with old Bermuda houses, including s group of once identical cottages nicknamed the “Seven Sisters”. According to local lore, a loving father built a house for each of his seven daughters. As you pass the last of the Sisters, continue right into Lover’s Lane.
Mile, 0.5, Kilometre 0.8
Follow the sign on the right to Paget Marsh Nature Reserve. David’s Pond on the left is a natural habitat for kingfishers, egrets, herons, and moorhens. Follow the floating boardwalk inside the park, which displays the native and endemic trees that provided food and shelter to early settlers. The walk is short and instructive. You first walk across mangrove thickets and lemongrass patches, as well as endemic Bermuda palmettos. Settlers used palmetto fronds to thatch roofs and weave basketry, ate the trees’ new grown, and make liquor from the berries. You will also find some old growth Bermuda cedars, once used to build ships, fences, and roof frames.
Mile 0.6, Kilometre 1.0
Paget Marsh is the turning point for the Short Circuit. You may retrace your steps to Harbour Road. To make the loop to Hungry Bay, turn right down the busy road on Rural Hill. Cross Rural Hill safely and walk up Tankfield Road to the intersection with the Railway Trail. Down across the marsh, the spire of St. Paul’s, one of Bermuda’s nine original parish churches, dominates the valley. Walk left on the Railway Trail, underneath a small bridge, and through the Rural Hill tunnel to the end of the Trail/ Walk safely towards the top Paget roundabout, where you turn left onto Trimingham Hill for a few yards. Cross Trimingham Hill safely and take the stairs down behind the Bus Stop crossing through a neighbourhood. Remember to respect the quiet and privacy of the houses around you. Make a right on Point Finger Road and rejoin South Road.
Mile 1.7, Kilometre 2.7
Cross South Road and walk left for about fifty yards, then follow Tribe Road #1 on your right. The road winds uphill then turns into a dirt path as it descends to Hungry Bay. Fishing boats moor in a quiet cove edged by mangroves. In summer, you may also find surfers enjoying the tiny point break at the bay’s mouth.
Mile 2.0, Kilometre 3.2
Back on South Road, you may shorten your hike and take a Hamilton/St/George’s bus. You may also loop to the Botanical Gardens across the road. To complete the Long Circuit retrace your steps to Harbour Road.
Mile 3.2, Kilometre 5.1
Back on Harbour Road.
Palmetto Park to Flatt’s Inlet
Overview:
This hike follows the Railway Trail along North Shore, from where you may sight the North Rock beacon standing on top of the northernmost living coral in the world. The Trail continues through Gibbet Island park and contours Flatt’s lively harbour. You will backtrack for the Long Circuit.
On the Trail
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Begin the hike on the Railway Trail at Palmetto Park. About 200 yards ahead, you walk over the small bridge that now replaces the old Devonshire Trestle/ You may see North Rock beacon through the breach in the hedge half a mile down the trailhead. Just point your binoculars to the apex of the triangle on the horizon using the South Channel’s green and red buoys as a base. North Rock is the inset that crests the northernmost living coral on the planet. The British Navy used it as an artillery practice target during World War I and left only a crag above sea level. The next two dips in the Trail mark the location of the former Cox and Gibbons Trestles.
Mile 1.0, Kilometre 1.6
Cross Store Hill Road, and cross the footbridge that was once Store Hill Trestle. This portion of the track is used as a bridle trail and may be muddy. A quarter of a mile away, an overhanging bridge is followed by a cutting. The Trail then opens up to a splendid view over North Shore.
Mile 1.4, Kilometre 2.3
As the Trail slopes down, a bench faces across Gibbons Bay and Gibbet Island. This islet is linked to the mainland via an old stone causeway submerged at high tide. Walk down the steps, across the uphill driveway, and immediately take the stairs on your right along North Shore Road. The stairs lead up to the location of the old Flatt’s Station and then descend back to road level by the remains of Flatt’s West Trestle.
Mile 1.5, Kilometre 2.4
Cross North Shore Road safely and follow the path uphill through the park. Foundations from Flatt’s Bridge are clearly visible. The railway bridge raised 40 feet above the swift current to let sailboats pass by. (There is a new bridge being build to continue the trail, but as of 2025 building as been stopped). Standing peacefully in the shallow waters of Gibbons Bay is Gibbet Island – where criminals were once executed. Retrace your steps and take the left path back to the road.
Mile 1.7, Kilometre 2.7
Walk cautiously on North Shore Road down to Flatt’s. You may find refreshments there. As you stand by on the bridge over Harrington Sound narrows notice the strong tidal race. The surge calms down for only 20 minutes during slack water! Look over to Harrington Sound where you will see Abbot’s Cliff face on the far left. You may sit on the dock next to the boat slip and spot some eagle rays, or visit BAMZ (Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo) across the street.
Mile 2.3, Kilometre 3.7
The Short Circuit ends at the BAMZ bus stop. To complete the Long Circuit, retrace your steps back to Palmetto Park.
Mile 4.5, Kilometre 7.2
Back at Palmetto Park.
Hiking Bermuda: 20 Nature Walks and Day Hikes (revised edition) by Cecile Davidson published in Bermuda in 2010 available in bookstores island wide.
