Waitukubuli Trail, Roseau: Address, Phone Number, Waitukubuli Trail Reviews: 4.5/5
Waitukubuli Trail
Waitukubuli Trail
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
59 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
20
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
1
FarFlungStarling
Qualicum Beach, Canada1,014 contributions
We booked this 4 hour "Waitukubuli National Trail adventure hike" with a guide. Bevin is a lovely, soft spoken, knowledgeable and attentive guide. He picked us up on time and delivered us back to the ship as promised. This was a small group excursion with only my husband and I along. The hike itself covers a mixed terrain of dirt/gravel road, broken pavement, forest path and a sidewalk that wound along the ocean front. The hike covered approx. 21,000 steps/16 km from the starting point at Rodney's Wellness Retreat to Scotts Head Beach and back then to the "Bubble Beach" natural hot spring in Soufriere. The hike is often up hill and does have some tricky downhill sections as well but It's very scenic and Bevin filled in the history, notable facts and points of interest. This would be a difficult trek to manage without a guide as it was mostly unmarked. Sadly there is still a lot of damage evident from Hurricane Maria, a category 5 that devastated a number of Caribbean Islands including Dominica in 2017. You definitely need good walking shoes, water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. We brought our gear and did some snorkeling at Scotts Head Beach. It was a refreshing dip and there are some fish but the reef has been mostly destroyed and mounds of broken coral tell the tale. At Bubble Beach we poked our toes into some very hot water then enjoyed a cold beer. All in all a very enjoyable day and very much the island from the "local" point of view. Highly recommended.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Margaret M
Chadds Ford58 contributions
Solo
12 starts in Borne, and climbs steeply to the slopes of Morne au Diable before descending into the villages of Vielle Case and Penville. 13 starts at the end of Pennville and goes along the steep mountain slopes around the headlands of the island before descending into Capuchin. Post Maria, both sections are now well cleared, but the damage was extensie, and it must have been a tremendous amount of work to get it to this state. Views are tremendous of the Atlantic and the Caribbean, and the trail goes through both extent and abandoned farms and montane forest. A bit more road walking than I would like in Vielle Case and Pennville. Hiked with very knowledgeable guide Clife Honore at 613-1387,
Written March 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
K+1
Marathon, FL227 contributions
Couples
This is the "only long distance trail in the Caribbean". Where else can you hike across a whole country?? Trail is billed as 115 miles long but our gps makes many segments longer than advertised. It is a wonderful experience but be prepared. The hikes are almost all "challenging" - some are downright hard, especially segments 8 and 9 which circle mountains in the interior. The whole country is hilly and hikes are steep steep steep so consider yourself warned. And yes it can be hot if you are not used to it. It is helpful to have a local guide. They'll arrange your transportation and park pass fees, and keep you safe. We have made five visits to Dominica over a period of four years; it took us four trips to hike the trail. Count on a whole day to do a segment. We completed the trail 4/2015. Only met two hikers on the whole trail! The country is spectacularly beautiful - waterfalls, rainforests, fantastic views, culture, history and great people. We hiked with KHATTS in Roseau - super professional, went out of their way to accommodate us, highly recommend them.
Written April 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RICK B
BILLINGS278 contributions
Couples
We have done Segments 11,12,13, and 14. Number 13 is our favorite so far. It gives amazing views of the most Northern part of the island and then drops down to where some of the early peoples of this land lived.
We are staying in Portsmouth, so we accessed these trails via public bus/van. For sections 11 and 12, we split it up into sections and it was much more manageable for us. These hikes are challenging. Both of us have taken non serious falls and ended up with muddy bums, because parts of the trails are very steep and when wet are quite treacherous to navigate. If you can time your hikes after a couple days of dryer weather it is always best. But then you are up in the rainforest, so it rains a lot.
We suggest getting the book by Paul Crask, as he gives detailed information about each section and it is very accurate.
We are going to get to do some of the other sections, but are going to relocate to the southern part of the country, so we don't have such long commutes. We are loving these hikes!
We are staying in Portsmouth, so we accessed these trails via public bus/van. For sections 11 and 12, we split it up into sections and it was much more manageable for us. These hikes are challenging. Both of us have taken non serious falls and ended up with muddy bums, because parts of the trails are very steep and when wet are quite treacherous to navigate. If you can time your hikes after a couple days of dryer weather it is always best. But then you are up in the rainforest, so it rains a lot.
We suggest getting the book by Paul Crask, as he gives detailed information about each section and it is very accurate.
We are going to get to do some of the other sections, but are going to relocate to the southern part of the country, so we don't have such long commutes. We are loving these hikes!
Written February 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John S
Bronx, NY39 contributions
Couples
The beauty of Dominica is on full display on this stretch of the Waitukubuli Trail. The 6.8 km hike took about 4 1/2 hours and took my wife, our host/guide Tom and I through pristine rainforest. From lizards, to birds and enormous palms to tiny flowers, this is a nature lover’s little slice of heaven.
A few words of caution, bring the proper gear (pants, comfy hiking footwear, hat, more water than you think you need, a good walking stick) get a knowledgeable guide (Tom from Wanderlust Caribbean is the man), take your time and watch your footing (a couple of tricky spots that need some extra care).
Don’t let any of that discourage you as the views are unmatched.
A few words of caution, bring the proper gear (pants, comfy hiking footwear, hat, more water than you think you need, a good walking stick) get a knowledgeable guide (Tom from Wanderlust Caribbean is the man), take your time and watch your footing (a couple of tricky spots that need some extra care).
Don’t let any of that discourage you as the views are unmatched.
Written July 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Virgin Islands Boat Rental
Red Hook, St. Thomas137 contributions
Couples
I hiked a part of the trail from the Emerald Pool to the magic mushroom farm, and it was amazing. Very challenging at times but well worth it. We didn't see a soul on the trail during our entire track . It was like being in the middle of the forest. Would love to more of the trail on my next trip down.
Written May 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tom D
Calibishie, Dominica50 contributions
Couples
The Waitukubuli National Trail is a crown jewel for Dominica and has attracted hikers from all over the world. There are sections for all levels of hikers. This trail shows the best of all the natural sites on the island. Be prepared for some wet hiking, as you'll be in a tropical rain forest most of the time. There are companies which can transport you to hotels/guest houses if you would like to sleep in a comfortable bed each night. If you're planning to backpack the trail and camp out along the way, I suggest that each person have a hammock for sleeping, as flat spots are hard to come by in Dominica.
Written May 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
aneil4lom
Port of Spain, Trinidad677 contributions
Solo
Generally a well-marked trail that spans the entire island and passes through a variety of forest types.
Written June 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DWuest0619
Cincinnati, OH49 contributions
Friends
Beautiful place. You must remember that it is a rainforest. You will get very wet. But it is worth it.
Written November 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
170Sojourner
Tarpon Springs, FL43 contributions
Family
Get a guide and again don't fall in love with them... they are married with children..lol. The trail is simply the best in the Caribbean
Written July 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
yanickbalzan
Castres, France
bonjour
existe t il des cartes pour connaitre les differents tronçons
merci
Margaret M
Chadds Ford58 contributions
View the Waitukubuli Trail website and download trail maps.
dfran33
San Diego, CA5 contributions
Attempting to hike on the island of Dominica, and will need a guide. Any recommendations? Also will be traveling alone, so would prefer to hike in a group setting.
K+1
Marathon, FL227 contributions
I definitely would recommend KHATTS out of Roseau. Ken the owner is a wonderful organizer and will give you good advice especially since things were impacted by tropical storm Erika recently. We go with them every time we visit Dominica and use them for airport transfers too. Consider the rates reasonable for the service. Website with tour descriptions and contact info is on-line.
Newlandarcher
Beijing, China3 contributions
Hello. What are peoples' favorite segments of the Waitukubuli Trail?
K+1
Marathon, FL227 contributions
Each segment offers something different. I'd say segment 6 is great because you get to see wonderful eastern coast and pass through the Kalinago territory, so it is cultural as well as physical. Segment 1 offers wonderful view at south end of island but you need to check and see if trail is open because there was a small landslide that blocked part of it. Trail 10 is the shortest and very easy with some views of farms and western coast. Trail 5 is longer but easy; passes Emerald Pool and L'Or River which is a nice place to stop for lunch. Trail 11 a bit harder/longer but great views as you wind from rainforest in the interior towards the northwest coast.