Rattle & Shake: The Bermuda Railway Trail--One of the most unusual sightseeing adventures in Bermuda is following the Bermuda Railway Trail (or parts thereof), which stretches for 34km (21 miles) along the old railroad way, across three of the interconnected islands that make up Bermuda. Construction of this rail line may have been one of the most costly ever on a per-kilometer basis. Opened in 1931, the Bermuda Railway ceased operations in 1948. Once the island's main mode of transportation, the train eventually gave way to the popularity of the automobile.
Before setting out on this trek, arm yourself with a copy of the Bermuda Railway Trail Guide, which is available at the Bermuda Department of Tourism in the City of Hamilton and the Visitors Service Bureaus in Hamilton and St. George. You're now ready to hit the trail of the old train system that was affectionately called "Rattle and Shake." You can explore the trail on horseback, bicycle, or foot.
Although the line covered 34km (21 miles), from St. George in the east to Somerset in the west, a 5km (3-mile) stretch has been lost to roads in and around the capital city of Hamilton. For the most part, however, the trail winds along an automobile-free route.
In the West End, the trail begins near the Watford Bridge, but there are many convenient access points. In the East End, it's most convenient to pick up the trail on North Shore Road.
Along the way, you'll see some rare Bermuda cedar, which nearly vanished as a result of the blight that struck the island in the early 1940s. There's also much greenery and semitropical vegetation, such as the poinsettia, oleander, and hibiscus. You can see and visit Fort Scaur, the 1870s fortress, in Sandys Parish. The tour of Sandys Parish, below, follows the detailed section of the route that includes Fort Scaur.
If you only have time to see a small part of the trail, we recommend you take in something of the 2-hectare (5-acre) Gilbert Nature Reserve. The most scenic view begins at Somerset Bridge; head west from there.
