Barbados Tracks Transformed: Railways Reborn as Scenic Spots

The old Barbados Railway, which carried sugar and passengers between 1881 and 1937, is being reborn as the Barbados Trailway — a multi-use path that stitches together the island’s east coast, abandoned sugar estates, and fruit-shaded gullies. Roughly 21 kilometres of the original railbed are being resurfaced for walkers and cyclists, with around 600 newly planted trees including mango, golden apple, and tamarind lining the route. This article covers the completed sections, what you’ll actually see along them, and how to plan a visit around the ongoing project’s quirks — including the unpaved “cart ro” stretches that still exist.

Barbados is small — 34 kilometres long and 23 kilometres wide — but its historic rail corridor concentrated movement along the east side of the island. Motor vehicles and an improved road network rendered the railway obsolete after 1937, and much of its physical assets were sold off or removed. The trail now follows that same line, passing disused sugar factories and historic plantations, but it remains a work in progress: some sections are paved, others are compacted earth shaded by almond trees, and resurfacing happens during the dry months between January and June.

Orienting the Barbados Trailway: Geography and Movement

The trail runs along the old rail corridor that connected Bridgetown to the rugged east coast, with the most accessible section currently between Valley Plantation and Carmichael. The initiative is spearheaded by the Future Centre Trust, with support from businesses including C.O. Williams Construction and Banks, and funded entirely by donations. The resurfacing will continue in the first part of the year when it is dryer, so expect seasonal progress.

Tara Inniss, a Lecturer in History and Philosophy at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and Director of the Caribbean Heritage Network, has noted the project’s significance for local heritage. The trail is already used by many Bajans for morning exercise, walking the dog, or taking the kids outdoors. For visitors, the route offers a cross-section of the island that most tourists never see: inland gullies, old plantation walls, and the transition from cane fields to coastal scrub.

Walking the Line: What You See Along the Trailway

Heading north from the Valley Plantation area, the resurfaced path passes the remnants of sugar factories and the gated entrances to historic plantation houses. Fruit trees line much of the trail — mango, golden apple, and tamarind are the most common — and in the wet season between June and December, the planted saplings of avocado, breadfruit, soursop, and Bajan cherry begin to fill in gaps. The trail winds past disused sugar factories and historic plantations, many of which are visible only as stone walls or rusted machinery half-buried in grass.

The Resurfaced Demo Stretch: Valley Plantation to Dash Valley

This is the most visitor-ready section. The surface is compacted and stable, suitable for road bikes and strollers, and the trees planted here include several types of palm and Barbados Ackee. The section of the trail is shaded by almond trees near the old crossing at Long Pond, where the railway once crossed in the 1880s. The limitation is length — the demo stretch runs only a few kilometres before giving way to unpaved “cart ro” sections that are better suited to mountain bikes or walking shoes.

The Unpaved “Cart Ro” Sections

Beyond the demo stretch, part of the trail is an unpaved section described as a Barbados “cart ro” — a traditional farm track of compacted earth and stone. These sections are shaded by almond trees and pass through gullies where hog plum and mammy apple grow wild. They are rideable on a hybrid bike but become slick after rain. Plans for 2022 included signage, completion of the demo stretch between Valley and Carmichael with more trees, shelters, benches, and trailheads, but progress depends on donations.

Practical Planning: Timing, Access, and Logistics

The trailway is free and open to the public, but access points are not yet marked. The most reliable entry is near the Valley Plantation on the east coast road, where the resurfaced demo stretch begins. The project is funded by donations, so there are no facilities, bike rentals, or information boards at the trailheads. Bring your own water, snacks, and a printed map from the Barbados Trailway Project website.

Best Time to Walk or Cycle

Early morning, before 9 a.m., is when many Bajans use the trail for exercise, and the light filters through the almond trees without the full heat. The dry season from January to June is when resurfacing work happens, so the path is in its best condition. The wet season from June to December brings planting activity, but the unpaved sections become slippery.

Getting There

The Valley Plantation entrance is reachable by car from Bridgetown in about 25 minutes via the ABC Highway. There is no public transport that stops directly at the trailhead, but buses on the east coast route (numbers 11, 12, and 13) pass within a 10-minute walk. Parking is roadside and informal.

On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go

The trailway passes through rural areas where local habits include greeting other walkers with a nod or a quiet “good morning.” Dogs are common but leashed. The path is not patrolled, so keep valuables out of sight and park in visible areas.

What to Bring

Water is essential — there are no shops along the route. Sun protection is necessary even on the shaded sections, as the almond canopy is not continuous. A basic repair kit is wise for cyclists; the compacted surface is smooth, but the unpaved sections have loose stones. For capturing the landscape, a lightweight camera with good stabilization handles the contrast between shaded gullies and open cane fields better than a phone.

Local Etiquette

The trail is used by residents for daily exercise, not tourism. Do not block the path for photographs, and keep music low or use headphones. If you stop to eat fruit from the trees — mango and golden apple are the most common — take only what has fallen. The project is community-driven, and many of the newly planted trees are donations from local families.

Barbados Trailway Visitor Questions

Is the Barbados Trailway complete?

No. The project is ongoing and funded by donations. A demo stretch between Valley Plantation and Dash Valley has been resurfaced, with more trees, shelters, and benches planned. Unpaved “cart ro” sections remain beyond Carmichael. Signage is still limited.

The unfinished nature means you will encounter uneven ground and no facilities. That also means fewer people and a quieter experience than finished park trails elsewhere on the island.

Can you cycle the entire trail?

Not yet. The resurfaced section is smooth enough for a road bike, but the unpaved “cart ro” sections require a mountain bike or hybrid. The trail is roughly 21 kilometres in total, but only a few kilometres are currently paved. Plans for 2022 included extending the demo stretch, but progress depends on continued donations.

If you cycle the unpaved sections, expect loose stones and muddy patches after rain. The DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is useful here because its 10-kilometre range lets you scout the unpaved sections from above before committing your bike to them.

What fruit trees grow along the trailway?

Mature mango, golden apple, and tamarind trees line much of the original route. The project has planted approximately 600 new trees including avocado, breadfruit, soursop, mammy apple, Bajan cherry, hog plum, Barbados Ackee, coconut, and several types of palm. Planting happens between June and December to take advantage of the wet season.

The young saplings are in wire guards and not yet producing fruit. The established trees near the old sugar factories are the best bet for finding fallen fruit.

Is the trail safe for solo walkers?

Generally yes during daylight hours. Many Bajans use the trail for morning exercise, so there is regular local presence before 9 a.m. The path is not patrolled, and there are no emergency phones or lighting. Sections near old plantation walls can feel isolated, and the unpaved “cart ro” stretches have uneven ground that requires attention.

Park in visible areas near the Valley Plantation entrance, and do not leave valuables in your car. The trail is not suitable after dusk due to the lack of lighting and uneven surfaces.

How does the trailway connect to other Barbados attractions?

The trail corridor runs along the east coast, which is the rugged side of the island with fewer beaches than the west. It is within a 15-minute drive of the scenic east coast viewpoints that look over the Atlantic, and about 25 minutes from the calm waters of Carlisle Bay. The route passes near old sugar factories that are visible from the road but not open to the public.

The tradeoff is that the trailway itself is not a destination for swimming or dining. It works best as a morning activity before heading to the coast for lunch or a beach afternoon.

Sources and further reading

The Barbados Trailway guide. Barbados.org, accessed 2025.

The Barbados Trailway Project background. Commonwealth Heritage, accessed 2025.

Barbados Trailways Project refurbishment details. Bajan Things, accessed 2025.

Scenic east coast viewpoints near the trailway. IslandHopperGuides, 2025.