Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
168
free printed guides to the best hikes on the island. Trails, though not
always well maintained, are indicated by white “heritage markers.” In all,
some three dozen marked trails wind their way acr oss the island. S ome
are easy to reach and hike, while others require more skill and experience.
The following recommended hikes are moderately difficult.
Some of our fav orite trails include West E nd Point Ov erlook,
starting on South Side Road, west of the Brac Reef Beach Resort. At
the far w estern point of B rac is an idyllic hike for bir d-watching.
Islanders also claim, and with good r eason, that y ou hav e the best
view of sunsets here. Locals watch for the “green flash” of light as the
sun goes down.
Another good trail to follow is Westerly Ponds, South Side Road,
across fr om the B rac R eef B each R esort (p . 158). The two ponds
along this trail are the best spots for observing the life of wetland fowl.
Boardwalks cut across the marshes, with small vie wing sections.
The Lighthouse Trail , taking 3 hours, starts at Spot Bay in the
far East End of the island. You'll approach the beginning of the trail
by walking along Spot Bay Road, then follow the trail up the nor th-
east face of the B luff. On the way, you'll pass the entrance to P eter's
Cave, used in olden days as a hurricane shelter . As you continue hik-
ing, you will come to a spot dubbed Peter's Outlook by locals, with a
panoramic sweep across Spot Bay. Two lighthouses ar e in this ar ea,
one modern and the other fr om the 1930s.
The best natur e trail on B rac is the Parrot Reserve in the
center of the island, which is per fect for self-guided tours. The trail
meanders for 1.6km (1 mile), taking hikers thr ough the heart of the
reserve, which is a visitor's best chance to see the endangered Cayman
Brac parr ot. Trails are always open and ther e's no fee to enter . You
must, of course, bring your own provisions, including plenty of water.
This preserve is reached along Major Donald Drive (sometimes called
Lighthouse Rd.), a 9.7km (6-mile) dir t road leading to cliffs. F rom
this vantage point on the B luff, the best vie w of North East Point is
spread before you. Many hikers come her e to take in the most dra-
matic sunrise in the Cayman Islands.
SPELUNKING
Cayman Brac has a series of caves that are open for exploring. Peter's
Cave, on the Lighthouse Trail in the East E nd, is mammoth, with
tunnels leading off in several directions. Rebecca's Cave lies off South
Side Road, near the Carib S ands Beach Resort (p. 161), and is w ell
marked. It's the best kno wn of Brac's caves, and takes its name fr om
a young child who died here during the disastrous hurricane of 1932
that destr oyed the island. R ebecca's tomb can still be seen in the
middle of the cave.
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