The Waitukubuli National Trail Management Unit would like to remind the public of these general guidelines for hiking the Waitukubuli National Trail:
1. Inform the Trail Management Unit of your plans to hike in advance, whether alone or as part of a group. The Unit can be contacted by calling 440-6125, e-mailing [email protected], or visiting our office in person at Pont Cassé on the Dr. Nicholas Liverpool Highway (1 minute north of the Pont Cassé roundabout).
2. Every hike on the trail, whether by residents or non-residents, must be registered. This information can also be found on our website – www.waitukubulitrail.com.
3. Tours of our Research & Interpretation Facility at Pont Cassé are encouraged and include a tour of our Interpretation Room, a Nature & Animation Tour and a hike briefing. This important hike briefing covers various sections, including an interview on fitness levels or critical health conditions of the individuals, hiking tips, the Dos & Don’ts and recommendations for camping or accommodation. Segment descriptions will also be given as there are four levels of difficulty on the Waitukubuli National Trail. There are ‘Easy,’ ‘Moderate,’ ‘Difficult,’ and ‘Very Difficult’ segments – one for every fitness level.
4. With sufficient notice, a member of the Trail Management Unit can be available to perform hike briefings with groups prior to hiking.
5. There are no fees for Dominican residents to hike the trail. Trail Passes (user fee tickets) for non-residents are categorized as follows:
Day Pass: US$12.00 (To hike one or more segments within one day)
Special Pass: US$10.00 (For organized tour packages and promotional events)
Fifteen Day Pass: US$40.00 (To hike all 14 segments within 15 days)
6. We strongly recommend using a trained trail guide when hiking, particularly for the remote and very difficult Segments 8 & 9. The Trail Management Unit can assist with providing a list of trained guides and this information is also available on our website under ‘Resources.’
7. When hiking, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force and Fire & Ambulance Service of Dominica must be informed.
8. The Waitukubuli National Trail user guide book is a valuable resource to own. It is available for purchase at the WNT headquarters at Pont Cassé and at the Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division located on Valley Road, Roseau (across from the Dominica Grammar School).
9. Please note that there are several cellular network dead zones within remote areas of the Waitukubuli National Trail, so please plan accordingly.
10. Always begin hikes early in the morning. It is recommended that a hike should begin no later than 9:00AM to allow sufficient time to complete the hike before nightfall. However, it is recommended that hikes to the ‘Very Difficult’ level adventure Segments 8 & 9 begin no later than 7:00AM.
The Trail Management Unit encourages all local groups to keep hiking and promoting awareness of the Caribbean’s first long distance walking trail. We also extend our profound gratitude to the hiking community for their continued partnership and support.
Great job on releasing these guidelines for safety and security purposes! Hoping for organized and strict implementation of these guidelines with full cooperation of all the hikers, of course to make things possible. Safety shouldn’t really be at stake to explore and enjoy the naturally beauty of Dominica.
Add to that very young children should not be allowed on the most difficult trails.
7. When hiking, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force and Fire & Ambulance Service of Dominica must be informed.
That is the stupidest thing I have ever head. So not only must I inform the WNT but I also have to call the police and ambulance when I decide to do the hike. Nonsense. That is too many unnecessary calls to the police and fire departments. It is sufficient that WNT knows that you are on the tail and if there is an emergence occurs then the WNT will contact the police. The police should also assume that the trail is being used on an ongoing basis.
It did not say you inform the police. It said the police must be informed, so this means that WNT office may be the ones contacting the authorities. The WNT office is not a 24-7 operation to my knowledge, therefore, if the police is informed and hikers go missing, then they can act accordingly and not have to wait for some office to open on Monday morning or whatever. I am sure if you were hiking and got lost you would be so happy the police were in the know.
Thank you, but I really did not know most of these rules. Please send out everywhere.
Maybe an app could be created that can be used offline as well.
These guidelines should be posted on the WNT’s website, as well as DDA and any other tourism/marketing sites. While there are general points on the site, I haven’t found the guidelines which were posted here.
Thank you Roger Benette and others for your insight.
Sorry Roger, correction I meant ‘Burnett’. However, at $50 a copy it’s no wonder it is kept low key, anyone heard of …..affordable?
The guide is a little bit more affordable than a Perky’s Pizza!
Just a suggestion: there are simple trail maps that can be created that can show segments, markers, cell dead zones level of difficulty etc. These do not have to be complicated and can be mass printed. They can be sold at grocery store and other retail places around the island for a minimal price. It will be a big help and simple enough so folks can Know where they are using those ground markers. It may have initial cost but @ $2 a map I think in Long run will pay itself. Something to consider.
or even an interactive map on your phone, come on DOMINICA upgrade
Excellent suggestions. Hiking in Dominica is beyond just simply winging it – one should definitely use a map and have something to help get them back on track if they do stray. The beauty of all the nature very often allows the hiker to drift without even know it. A map, a guide, anything is better than nothing.
The User Guide contains large scale detailed maps for every segment of the trail.
The 120 page high quality, full-colour, wind and weather proof Guide retails at EC$50.
In comparison to the cost of a school text book the Guide is an absolute bargain!
Up to now, the Guide seems to have been kept in low profile. I cannot understand why. It contains nothing offensive, not even one of my innocent paintings of the nude figure despoil its pages!
As Shaka Zulu suggests, it should be on the counter of every grocery store and retail outlet throughout the length and breadth of the trail.
Well … Just tell us how it can be done na.
Hey, Hey Skaka, that not how the power’s , government, thinks here, its all backward and upside down. Your idea is excellent, but that now how they think, they will not be able to comprehend. But they will like the, grocery store part idea. To sell passports at shops, supermarkets, gas stations, bakeries, and yes, all non resident hiking the trail, will be able to buy, a passport at the pont casse roundabout or somewhere on the trail
so a non resident will start segments as a foreigner, and by segment, 2,3, 6,7 or which ever one, they will be a dominican citizen, before night fall
Jesus, KEEP POLITICS OUT OF IT for once man you all just hell bent on repeating such rubbish over and over and over, what shaka Zulu said are good suggestions AND THAT IS THAT bringing your negative self under such a good comment to do what ? Atkinson hold your negative end tan because clearly you are a die hard uwp and a die hard pessimist my God