The Waitukubuli National Trail (or WNT) is a hiking trail spanning the island of Dominica. It is the longest hiking trail in the Caribbean, at 115 miles (185 km) long.[1][2] Its name comes from the original Kalinago name of the island, Waitukubuli, meaning "tall is her body".[3] The trails’s management falls under Dominica's Forestry Division.[2]

Waitukubuli National Trail sign
View of Scotts Head peninsula from the first segment of the trail

The trail was partially opened in 2011, and officially opened in 2013.[4] As of July 2013, all visitors and non-residents need a paid trail pass to access the Waitukubuli National Trail.[5]

The entire trail is made of 14 segments, beginning in the southern village of Scott's Head, and ending in the north at Cabrits National Park.[6][7]

Signpost marking the Waitukubuli National Trail

It includes the following points:[2][8]

In 2020, the trail was listed as one of National Geographic's "Top 10 North American Hikes of a Lifetime."[10] In 2023, Lonely Planet named it one of the "Top 5 best hikes in the Caribbean".[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Waitukubuli Trail | the Caribbean\'s 1st Long Distance Hiking Trail". Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Dominica's Waitukubuli National Trail ( WNT )". A Virtual Dominica. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  3. ^ "About Dominica - Kalinago Territory". kalinagoterritory.com.
  4. ^ "Dominica's Waitukubuli National Trail ( WNT ). Learn about Dominica's heritage while you trek from one end of the Nature Island to the other. The Caribbean First Long Distance Hiking Trail! | a virtual Dominica".
  5. ^ "Government introduces user fees to hike Waitukubuli National Trail". thedominican.net. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  6. ^ "Dominica [trail map]". Experience Dominica. January 2017. p. 28.
  7. ^ Baxter, Sarah (2019-06-01). A History of the World in 500 Walks. Aurum. pp. 256–258. ISBN 978-1-78131-937-6.
  8. ^ a b Barzey, Ursula Petula (2021-11-07). "Hiking the Waitukubuli National Trail in Dominica". Caribbean & Co. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  9. ^ "Waitukubuli Trail 11, Saint John, Dominica". dm.geoview.info. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  10. ^ "10 North American hikes of a lifetime". National Geographic. 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  11. ^ Blond, Becca (Jan 3, 2023). "Top 5 hikes in the Caribbean". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
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