Looking to enjoy some time outdoors this weekend? Choose one of these four East End hikes and we promise, you won’t be disappointed.
1. Ferry Reach
With some 63.66 acres of open space straddling the western peninsula of St. George’s Island, Ferry Reach is the second-largest park in Bermuda. It includes a mangrove lake, Whalebone Bay, and three historic forts within the park grounds. The “thumb” of the peninsula is Ferry Island, one and a half acres of land accessed from a small bridge. The park is mostly flat, posing a great opportunity for bicycle circuits, and jogging, running, or walking sessions.
2. Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve
On this walk, there are four beaches to discover, a network of coastal trails, and a wildlife watchtower with panoramic ocean views. The tower’s open balcony is the ideal vantage point for watching the cahows (bring binoculars) from October through March. The rest of the park’s coastal paths can be hiked by following trails beside the smaller beach. In addition, closer to Clearwater Beach, the reserve includes a restored pond and salt marsh. The extensive boardwalk over the restored salt marsh is an ideal spot for observing shorebirds and wildlife endemic to Bermuda.
3. Fort Popple
This walk offers unparalleled views of the coastline. Head down past Cashew City Road in St. David’s and you can begin a walk on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, traveling to Little Head where Fort Popple lies. The walk takes visitors over farmland and rocky shorelines to reach the remains of the once handsome stronghold built in the 1730s by Governor Popple. Views out towards the open sea are sure to amaze those who make the climb.
4. Tom Moore’s Jungle
Tom Moore’s has to be one of the best nature reserves on the island, with a great many important habitats within the park, including the coastline and open ocean, mangrove swamps, ponds, caves, and woodland spread through its 12 acres. Visitors can feel like they’re inside of a nature documentary as they wander over Tom Moore’s rocky pathways, which at times are covered by the tide. There is a multitude of different paths you can take through Tom Moore’s, and it’s easy to get lost in there, as you’re tempted to step off the pathway onto smaller footpaths leading to undisturbed valleys and caves.
