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 named after the original Kalinago name of the island, Waitukubuli, meaning "tall is her body".

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, CultivationDistance: 7 km 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 Amery

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 islands

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 environmentVegetation 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 fi shing 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