Marigot: Hiking the Waitukubuli National Trail

If you’re looking for a hotel in Marigot, two landmarks in particular can help you get a sense of the destination: Section 7 of the Waitukubuli National Trail in the hills of Marigot and nearby Douglas Charles Airport (DOM). Pagua Bay on the east coast is another point of reference in the area. You can also find additional hiking and landscape profiles in the wider Saint Andrew Parish. This can help you decide whether Marigot, your arrival, or the wider region should be the focus of your trip.

Section 7 of the Waitukubuli National Trail

Section 7 runs from Hatten Garden Estate to First Camp in the hills of Marigot. In the wider Saint Andrew Parish, the same section is also a hike of about 8.9 km from Hatten Garden into the hills of Marigot, with a moderate to high difficulty rating. The distance and rating give you a point of reference when comparing trails by length and difficulty. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

At Williams Orchard on Section 7, there is a bird-watching tower and a small toilet facility; Congorie Hole is also part of this section. In the wider Saint Andrew Parish, Walter Williams Orchard on Section 7 serves as a parrot habitat and offers opportunities for bird-watching. If you plan to include the facilities in your route, check their current condition beforehand.

More trail profiles in Saint Andrew Parish

Sections 12 and 13 are also good options for comparison within the Waitukubuli National Trail. Section 12 runs from Bourne to Penville, is 13.5 km long, is rated moderate to difficult, and takes about seven hours. Section 13 runs from Penville to Capuchin, is 6.8 km long, and is rated moderate. This gives you a choice of different trail lengths and difficulty levels; the approximate seven-hour duration applies to Section 12.

The landscapes also differ: Section 12 features a rugged Atlantic coastline, dry forest, farmland, and local agriculture. Section 13 includes Tafia Falls and a diverse range of wildlife and plant life, including birds, frogs, flowering plants, insects, and tall trees. Section 12 passes through Vieille Case, also known as Itassi Village. The church there was built by the French in the early 17th century.

Getting there and finding your way on the east coast

Douglas Charles Airport (DOM) is at the northeastern end of the island, near the town of Marigot, and is the main gateway to regional and international destinations. It is an important geographic point of reference when planning your arrival; check current connections and services for your specific travel dates. Pagua Bay is on Dominica’s east coast, a few minutes south of the airport. It offers another point of reference if you’d like to include the coast in your travel plans alongside Marigot and the airport.

Calibishie in the wider region

In Calibishie, in Saint Andrew Parish, the landscape is shaped by steep cliffs, red rocks, rivers flowing down from the mountains, and palm-fringed beaches. There are opportunities for hiking, cycling, snorkeling, and diving. This regional perspective complements the trails around Marigot with a different landscape and range of activities within the wider Saint Andrew Parish.

Discover more destinations: Atkinson, Castle Bruce.

Back to the broader travel overview: Saint David.