Embark on a journey through Bermuda’s past and present with a walk along the Railway Trail from Somerset to Hamilton. This scenic route traces the path of the old Bermuda Railway, once the island’s lifeline. Along the way, we’ll highlight some of the railway’s former stations, bringing its storied history to life. You’ll also cross historic trestles—wooden or steel frameworks that supported train tracks over water or uneven terrain.
This walk is a perfect blend of natural beauty and fascinating history, providing a unique perspective on Bermuda’s heritage.
See a map key at the bottom of the page.
Somerset to Hamilton
Overview:
This hike is self-directed as you follow the old railway track bed from Somerset to Hamilton. If you want to walk half the island in a day, this is the hike!
On the Trail
Mile 0, Kilometre 0
Begin the hike at Watford Bridge and follow the coastline toward Somerset village. Pass the small obelisk on your left, and walk along the military cemetery and through the village. Stay on Somerset Road until you turn left on Beacon Hill Road at the police station. Up the hill stands the old Somerset Railway Station building, once the West-End Terminus.
Twenty-two miles of track linked Somerset, Hamilton, and St. George from 1931 to 1948. Ten percent of the track was built above land and water, including 7 waterfront trestles and 5 bay bridges. The construction of this track was heralded the slowest and most costly of its type in railway history.
Mile 0.5, Kilometre 0.7
Follow the Railway Trail sign on your right. Within 300 yards you cross Broome Street, once served by the Broome Train Station. A total of 41 such public stations were built. We indicate these halts, as well as former trestles, as we go along. The Trail crosses Scotts Hill Road (Scotts Hill Station), Sound View Road (Sound View Station), a limestone cutting, and passes over the small bridge that replaces Harman’s Bay Trestle. A total of 21 such trestles were built over land depressions. The Railway Trail follows the Great Sound shoreline.
Mile 1.0, Kilometre 1.6
Walk past the cutting that leads up to Fort Scaur on your right. The Trail then slopes down (Parapet Trestle), passes the Lantana cottage colony and its two overhanging bridges, and continues by the Somerset Bridge Station building.
Mile 2.7, Kilometre 4.3
The Trail ends in a flight of stairs where the Somerset Trestle foundations once stood, raising the train track more than 40 feet above sea level. The Trail contours the bay over Somerset Bridge. You may find refreshments across the road at Robinson’s Marina. Walk left at the tip of the bridge next to the post office, along the shore and up the wooden steps (Bridge Hill Station).
The Trail passes through quiet neighbourhoods, farm fields, and the former U.S. Naval Base Annex. You pass the White Hill Station building on your right, and 0.3 mile further George Bay Road and the old U.S. Naval Annex front gate (George Bay Station).
Mile 3.7, Kilometre 5.9
The straight-line track bed stops at the intersection with Rockaway Road. For the next couple of miles, the Trail curves around Middle Road. Be safe and remember that traffic comes from your right. Follow the grass path that slopes down in front of you and head toward the old buttery building (Evans Bay Trestle). About 250 yards up, cross Middle Road safely and walk up the stairs on the opposing embankment. The Trail contours Port Royal Golf Course and ends back on Middle Road. Cross the road safely toward the Evans Bay Station building. This portion of the Trail runs between Middle Road and the coastline alongside farmfields and lush greenery.
From Frank’s Bay, lined by the bay’s old trestle pillars, walk safely along Middle Road for half a mile. Where Middle Road intersects with South Road, continue along the coastline and follow the path through a limestone cutting. The Trail ends shortly after at Newport Gardens, where you walk back down to Middle Road, crossing to Church Road just ahead (Church Road Trestle and Station). Immediately take the stairs up on the left of Church Road and follow the shaded path. Pass through a modern tunnel and continue towards Gibb’s Hill. The Trail climbs up, crossing Tribe Roads 3 and 2, and slopes down across a depression (Mallory Trestle).
Mile 6.2, Kilometre 9.9
Cross Lighthouse Road safely into Shawn Acres Lane (Lighthouse Hill Station). This portion of the Trail crosses a quiet neighbourhood and ends in a flight of stairs down the Fairmont Hotel access road (Lighthouse Trestle). Continue on the hill facing you up the wooden stairs. After crossing several byroads, the Trail ends on the steep Camp Hill Road switchback – be careful of cars.
Mile 6.8, Kilometre 10.9
Walk safely on the hillside road up to the Riddell’s Bay Station building. Rejoin the Trail here, under the trees where the path turns into a sandy bridle trail. Over the next half a mile, you encounter two steep dips in the Trail (Sharp and Warwick Pond Trestles) before the Trail ends in a cul-de-sac. Walk up the steep road and safely cross Khyber Pass Road (Khyber Pass Station). The Trail contours Warwick Pond Park and crosses Tribe Road 3 about 0.25 mile ahead. After passing a cutting, walk through another dip (Morgan’s Trestle).
Mile 8.3, Kilometre 13.3
The Trail ends briefly on the Ord Road l0op (Belmont Manor Station) and then follows Belmont Golf Course. About 0.4 mile ahead, cross Cobbs Hill Road safely (Cobbs Hill Station). The Trail then passes through quiet neighborhoods and farm fields, and crosses several byroads. Cross the second Ord Road switchback safely (Ord Road Station) at S Hill, and continue for 0.6 mile.
Mile 9.7, Kilometre 15.5
Walk safely across the busy South Road corner to the Elbow Beach Station building. The Trail continues through a quiet neighborhood and several by-roads. You cross Grape Bay Drive (Rural Hill Station), pass underneath a bridge and through the Rural Hill tunnel – beware this area can be muddy and dark. The Trail ends about 300 yards further on Rural Hill.
Mile 10.2, Kilometre 16.3
Walk safely on the left side of Rural Hill and turn left at the roundabout onto Trimingham Hill. Half a mile ahead, you cross a second roundabout and walk along Foot of the Lane Park, lined with pleasure boats. At Crow Lane walk toward Hamilton’s Front Street for another mile down to the Birdcage.
Mile 11.7, Kilometre 18.7
Arrive at the Birdcage, in the centre of Hamilton.
Hiking Bermuda: 20 Nature Walks and Day Hikes (revised edition) by Cecile Davidson published in Bermuda in 2010 available in bookstores island wide.
