Waitukubuli Trail

The Waitukubuli Trail located in Dominica is the longest hiking trail in the Caribbean at 115 miles long[1] It is made of 14 segments, beginning in the southern village of Scott's Head, and ending in the north at Cabrit's National Park. The trail was officially opened in 2013 [2] and was named after the original Kalinago name of the island, Waitukubuli, meaning "tall is her body" [3].

Segments of the trail

Segment 1

Scott's Head to Soufriere Estate
“This trail located in a crater and with evidence of sulphur deposits, helps us to understand the true volcanic nature of Dominica.”

Vegetation Type: Dry Forest, Cultivation
Distance: 7km or 4 miles
Estimated Walking time: 4hrs
Climb: 460 metres or 1,518 ft
Type of hike: Moderate

Areas of interest:

  • Morne Rouge
  • Morne Crabier
  • Old French Quarter
  • Soufriere Sulphur Springs
  • Old road to Tete Morne
  • Sulphur deposit
  • View of Martinique
  • Aloe production
  • Scotts Head Peninsula
  • Soufriere/Scotts Head Marine Reserve
  • Optional route to Palmiste Ridge
  • Bois Cotlette ruins

Segment 2

Soufriere Estate to Bellevue Chopin
This trail with an old slave route, old estates and historic buildings reminds us of Dominica’s history of a plantation society and the era of colonization.

Vegetation Type: Dry Forest, Cultivation
Distance: 11 km or 7 miles
Climb: 520 metres or 1,700 ft
Estimated Walking time: 6hrs
Type of hike: Moderate

Areas of interest:

  • Old slave route
  • Sulphur springs
  • Traditional living
  • Palmiste Ridge (optional)
  • Livestock & small agricultural farming
  • Charcoal production
  • Historic buildings (Palmiste to Bois Cotlette Route)

Segment 3

Bellevue Chopin to Wotten Waven
Journeying this trail, one can enjoy a therapeutic bath in our famous hot springs, our clear waters and the fragrance and beauty of an assortment of flowering plants on arriving in Giraudel.

Vegetation Type: Rain Forest, Cultivation
Distance: 15 km or 9 miles
Climb: 549 metres or 1,800 ft
Estimated Walking time: 6hrs
Type of hike: Moderate

Areas of interest:

  • Sulphur Springs
  • Main rivers
  • Small farmers
  • Giraudel Flower Show & related activities
  • Rasta community in close proximity
  • Morne Anglais hike
  • View of Roseau
  • View of Trafalgar Falls

Segment 4

Wotten Waven to Pont Casse
This trail offers views of several mountains, encounters of natural attractions and reminds us of Dominica’s rugged nature and rich heritage

Vegetation Type: Rain Forest, Cultivation
Distance: 12 km or 7.5 miles
Estimated Walking time: 6 hrs
Climb: 700 metres or 2,300 ft
Type of hike: moderate hike /nature lovers

Areas of interest:

  • View of – Morne Micotrin
  • Morne Watt
  • Morne Jaune
  • Morne Nichols
  • Morne Anglais
  • Morne Trois Pitons
  • Sulphur Spings (optional)
  • Boiling Lake (optional)
  • Freshwater Lake (optional)
  • Middleham Falls (optional)
  • Stinking Hole (optional)
  • Chemin Letang Historic Trail (optional)
  • Trafalgar Falls (optional)
  • Boeri Lake & trail (optional)

Segment 5

Pont Casse to Castle Bruce
This trail nestled within the Morne Trois Pitons World Heritage Site, features the long-standing contributions of our indigenous people, the struggles of a resilient people and the value of our forest and water resources.

Vegetation Type: Rain Forest, Cultivation & Coastal Forest
Distance: 12 km or 7.5 miles
Estimated Walking time: 6 hrs
Climb: 533 miles or 1,750 ft
Type of hike: Moderate, family hike

Areas of interest:

  • Old road (Carib trace)
  • Emerald Pool & facility
  • Castle Bruce Swamp
  • Forest station & nursery
  • Neg Maron Headquarters
  • Savanne David
  • Castle Bruce Village
  • Jaco Cave
  • Morne Turner (Morne Neg Maron)
  • Creole Gardens
  • Spanny Falls (optional)

Segment 6

Castle Bruce to Hatten Garden (Pagua Bay)
The trail offers each a chance to experience the life and history of the indigenous people of Dominica and enjoy a number of picturesque coastal sceneries.

Vegetation Type: Dry Littoral Woodland & Scrub Forest
Distance: 15 km or 9 miles
Estimated walking time: 7 hrs
Climb: 152 mitres or 500 ft
Type of hike: moderate

Areas of interest:

  • Old Colonial Road
  • Carib Territory
  • Kalinago Barana Aute (Carib Model Village)
  • Old church
  • Viewpoints
  • Carib arts & craft
  • Carib Council
  • Horseback ridge (optional)

Segment 7

Hatten Garden (Pagua Bay) to First Camp Heights
As many others, this trail emphasizes that Dominica is clean, green and serene, ideal for relaxation and tranquility.

Vegetation Type: Rain Forest, Cultivation
Distance: 12.6 km or 7.5 miles
Estimated Walking time: 6 hrs
Climb: 381 mitres or 1,250 ft
Type of hike: Moderate/nature lovers

Areas of interest:

  • Agricultural lands
  • Natural forest
  • Melville Hall Airport
  • View of Marie Galante River Crossings
  • View of Hatten Garden
  • Congorie Hole
  • River crossings and streams

Segment 8

First Camp to Petite Macoucherie Heights
A long and challenging trail from east to west for adventure, hunting, research and discovery

Vegetation Type: Mature rainforest with Mountain Thicket & Elfin Woodland Ecosystem
Distance: 10 km or 6 miles
Estimated walking time: 9 hrs
Climb: 1,005 mitres or 3,300 ft
Type of hike: Very Difficult (strong hikers who are well trained)

Areas of interest:

  • Primary forest
  • Parrots
  • Wild Pigs
  • Bird watching
  • Potential area for researchers in Botany

Segment 9

Petite Macoucherie to Colihaut Heights
This is a trail that allows for deepened appreciation for our forest reserve, flora and fauna, adventure and continuous agricultural production.

Vegetation Type: Cultivation & Rain Forest
Distance: 10 km or 6 miles
Estimated walking time: 8 hrs
Climb: 762 metres or 2,500 ft
Type of hike: Very Difficult

Areas of interest:

  • Primary forest
  • Morne
  • Agricultural lands
  • Kachibona Lake
  • Largest Gommier Tree on island
  • Parrot habitat
  • Wild pigs

Segment 10

Colihaut Heights to Syndicate
While walking this trail, one can learn about our farmers, about our many trees and listen to the merry sound of our birds.

Vegetation Type: Secondary Rain Forest & Cultivation
Distance: 6 km or 3.7 miles
Estimated Walking time: 3 hrs
Climb: 610 mitres or 2000 ft
Type of hike: Easy, family hike

Areas of interest:

  • Morne Diablotin
  • Secondary forest
  • Agricultural farming
  • Parrot habitat
  • Syndicate Nature Trail & Welcome Center (optional)
  • Lookout points

Segment 11

Syndicate to Borne
This lengthy trail takes you through the Morne Diablotin National Park and the most popular spot on island for bird watching.

Vegetation Type: Rain Forest & Cultivation
Distance: 10 km or 6 miles
Estimated Walking time: 7 hrs
Climb: 457 mitres or 1,500 ft
Type of hike: Difficult; long hike suited to nature lovers

Areas of interest:

  • Dubam Falls
  • Parrot Reserve
  • Morne Diablotin National Park
  • Syndicate Nature Trail & Facility
  • View of French
  • Rain forest
  • Wild pig holes
  • View of Moore Park Village
  • Clump of biggest Bois Rouge on island

Segment 12

Borne to Penville
Walking this trail, one encounters exhilarating views and beautiful landscapes in a pristine environment

Vegetation Type: Littoral woodland & Cultivation
Distance: 9.5 km or 6 miles
Estimated walking time: 7 hrs
Climb: 534 mitres or 1,750 ft
Type of hike: Moderate to difficult; long hike

Areas of interest:

  • View of Portsmouth and the Cabrits
  • Morne Aux Diables
  • Moore Park Village
  • Caribbean Sea & Atlantic Ocean
  • Vieille Case Village
  • En Bas
  • Pirates of the Caribbean location
  • Old Catholic Church
  • Littoral woodlands
  • View of top of Morne Diablotin

Segment 13

Penville to Capuchin
This trail offers natural attractions, viewpoints, lush landscapes and historical features.

Vegetation Type: Littoral woodland, Cultivation
Distance: 8 km or 5 miles
Estimated walking time: 4 hrs
Climb: 381 mitres or 1,250 ft
Type of hike: moderate

Areas of interest:

  • View of Marie Galante, The Saints and Guadeloupe
  • Penville Village
  • Waterfalls
  • Hillside farming
  • Littoral woodlands and Forest Hillside
  • Gardening
  • Lost Grand Fond Village
  • Cold Soufriere Springs (optional)

Segment 14

Capuchin to Cabrits
This trail is a coastal trail which begins and ends within a historical setting from the Canna Heritage Park to the Cabrits Fort Shirley.

Vegetation Type: Coastal Forest
Distance: 11 km or 7 miles
Estimated walking time: 4 hrs
Climb: 55 mitres or 180 ft
Type of Hike: moderate

Areas of interest:

  • Connor (Canna) Heritage Park
  • Stony beach
  • View of Les Saintes and Guadeloupe
  • Traditional fishing boats & related activities.
  • Old church
  • Rhino Horn
  • Villages of Clifton, Toucari & Cottage Cliffs
  • Cabrits National Park & Swamp area
  • Latanier palms
  • Bay oil production
  • Belle Hall Beach

References

  1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20151210035312/http://www.waitukubulitrail.com/. Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ http://www.avirtualdominica.com/project/waitukubuli-national-trail/
  3. ↑ http://kalinagoterritory.com/getting-here/about-dominica/

Official sites

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