Mastic Trail

The Mastic Trail in Old Man Bay on Grand Cayman Island is an easy 4.7-mile out-and-back trail that features amazing biodiversity and different animals along the trail.

Trail Name: Mastic Trail.

Location: Further Road, Old Man Bay, Grand Cayman Island.

Allowed activities: foot travel only, hiking, birding, geocaching, picnicking, nature study.

Forbidden activities: no hunting, no collecting plants or animals, no fires, no littering, no bikes, no baby carriers, no running, no jogging.

Hours: Trails are available during daylight hours year round.

Warning: Maiden plum and Manchineel plants grow in this area. Avoid any contact with these plants as they are highly toxic.

Parking and fees: There is limited parking on the North Side trailhead. There are no fees to park or use trails. There is a fee to hire a guide from the National Trust.

Pets: Dogs are NOT permitted on this trail.

Accessibility: The trail is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. The trail is very rocky and uneven, and the substrate is often jagged limestone, anyone with mobility issues or small children are advised NOT to hike this trail.

Sanitation: There are no rest rooms or trash bins at the North Side trailhead or along the trail. There is a composting toilet close to the South Side trail head. Please carry out all waste.

Trail information: There is no trailhead kiosk at the North Side parking area. There is a trailhead kiosk at the South Side trailhead where information about wildlife, flora and a posted trail map can be found. There are no maps to take along. The trail does not have very many trail blaze markers, but the trail is well traveled and is obvious in all sections.

Length and features: This trip was a 4.7-mile hike, done as an out-and-back hike. There is minimal elevation change and the trail is not particularly strenuous. The trail might be considered easy except for the fact that the substrate can be very treacherous and caution needs to be taken as the trail is flanked by or is directly on jagged areas of limestone. Hikers should wear sturdy closed toes shoes along this trail. Hikers should also bring plenty of water and insect repellent. This trail is an excellent place to listen for and hopefully observe birds, as there are many that migrate through this area.

The Mastic Trail is named after the black and yellow mastic trees that grow in the Reserve, but there are many other different types of tropical trees and shrubs that nonnative hikers may be unfamiliar with. Some of the plants and animals are unique to the Cayman Islands. Hikers may be able to spot along the trail the Silver Thatch Palm, which is the Cayman’s national tree, or the Wild Banana Orchid, their national flower. Lucky hikers might even be able to hear or see the Cayman Parrots which are the Cayman’s national bird. Along the trail, hikers will notice that some of the trees or shrubs have laminated signs on them. There are also green numbered wooden markers along the trail that are presumably points of interest; unfortunately there is no pamphlet or brochure to explain the markers. This is where an informed guide would be useful and the National Trust on Grand Cayman has made available to visitors the opportunity to hire a naturalist guide to accompany hikers along the Mastic Trail. Having a guide will enhance the hike because guides are well trained and are able to share information about the different ecosystems along the trail, explain the history of the trail, and point out the exotic trees and plants as well as native and migrating birds. To arrange for a guided tour, visitors can call +1(345)-749-1124 to make reservations and get detail on fees and times.

There are a few wetland areas along the trail that can be muddy and slick if rainfall has been recent. Crushed stone can be seen along the trail in spots as the stewards of the trail have attempted to improve drainage and even out the trail. There are also two wooden walkways to ease crossing over the wettest sections of the trail: one is a wide wooden bridge, about 60 feet long, that crosses a small grassy area. The other wooden walkway is quite long; at around 600 feet that guides hikers through a mangrove swamp. There is a fence at the South trailhead entrance that remains locked. In order to access the trail from this side, hikers will need to be able to climb up and over a small ladder stairway built into the fence.