Grand Cayman's Mastic Trail can be accessed near the end of the unpaved road by the fire station on Frank Sound Road.

Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park, which spans over 65 acres, is situated on Frank Sound Road. An immense nature preserve, the park displays a vast diversity of tropical plants, herbs, flowers, wetlands and wildlife - much of which can only be found in the Cayman Islands.

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More Mastic Trail and Botanical Park Information

The Mastic Trail in Grand Cayman meanders through roughly 2 miles of lush tropical foliage, much of which is endemic to the Cayman Islands. Mastic Trail is a 2 mile trail that is two hundred years old. It passes through a 2 million year old woodland area. It will take approximately 3 hours roundtrip if you hike the entire trail and the elevation starts at 10 feet and rises to a whopping 60 feet(highest point on the island). It is normally hiked with a guide from The Cayman Island National Trust, but it can also be done unguided. Follow the directions in Activity Guide when you arrive and you will see the small parking area with the trailhead sign on your right just a little further down the road. The trail starts off through the ancient woodland where you will immediately see and hear some of the many birds that inhabit the area. We saw mangrove cuckoo, West Indian woodpecker, smooth-billed ani, mockingbirds, Caribbean ground doves, bananaquits, and Cayman parrots above in the palms.

As you walk further into the forest, you will come to a wooden barricade used to keep dogs from entering the trail area, just climb over this and keep on hiking. You will soon enter a mangrove swamp, and the trail is a little swampy too. Make sure you are wearing good hiking shoes though, as the trail becomes very rocky later on. As you walk through the black mangroves, keep an eye out for hickatees, a fresh water turtle, and frogs. There are also hundreds of tree species along the Mastic trail and they are so densely spaced that it often forms a tunnel for the hiker to walk through. Among the trees you will see are: black mangrove, royal palms, calabash, mahogany, cedar, silver thatch palms, and, of course, a mastic tree. Other sightings along the trail might include: butterflies, lizards, agouti, iguana, large hermit crabs, termite nests, orchids, and non-poisonous grass snakes. The hermit crabs are the size of softballs and the lizards range from brown to bluish green.You may also come across the occasional harmless snake or two. They are about the size of a garter snake and about 2 to 3 feet long. Mastic Trail and other similar expanses of forest in Cayman, are of international significance representing some of the last remaining examples of the Caribbean's subtropical, semi deciduous dry forest, which have been the target of particularly intense deforestation throughout the West Indies. Try to experience this ancient forest.

Early morning and late afternoon hours are the best time to enjoy the trail, owing to the cooler temperatures and increased activity of parrots and other tropical birds. This is a fairly rugged trail and it is highly recommended that your first trip be conducted by a professional guide, available through the National Trust or your concierge.

The Mastic Trail in the Cayman Islands is one of the island's most popular free activities. Maintained for free by the Cayman Islands National Trust, the Mastic Trail is a great place to spend a few hours during your vacation in Grand Cayman, in the Cayman Islands.

Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park, which spans over 65 acres, is situated on Frank Sound Road. An immense nature preserve, the park displays a vast diversity of tropical plants, herbs, flowers, wetlands and wildlife - much of which can only be found in the Cayman Islands.

Additional attractions include: an authentic ancient Cayman home complete with sand garden landscaping; a medicinal garden; a traditional lake-front gazebo; exotic plant shop, natural Iguana habitat, visitor’s center and café.

The park is open daily from 9am – 6:30pm. This is a must-do for anyone who appreciates nature, and the admission price of CI$6.00 is less than a poolside cocktail!

Activity Guide has all of the maps, information, pictures, directions and tips for doing this activity on your own. It is usually included in our feature 'Go East' tour, which is your personal guided tour of all of the best attractions on the way to East End.

Whether you are staying in Northside, Seven Mile Beach, South Sound or anywhere else on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, the Mastic Trail is a worthwhile attraction to visit.

NOTE: It is a criminal offense to remove any plant or animal from along the trail.

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