Is this Caribbean island popular among adventurers?

The 115-mile Waitukubuli route, which traverses the whole length of Dominica, contributes to the island’s popularity as an ecotourism destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It may be walked in one day for each of its 14 sections. However, when Hurricane Maria ripped into Dominica in 2017, bringing powerful winds and torrential rains that damaged communities and farms, the path became geometry dash unusable. Today, island accommodations and tour operators are offering post-hurricane volunteer programs, such as trail restoration, to travelers who want to contribute to the cleaning. My home base was the recently refurbished Secret Bay resort on Dominica’s northwest coast, which has six private villas.

I contacted Annette Peyer Loerner, a Swiss expat who operates the beautiful Tamarind Tree Hotel with her husband Stefan, through the resort’s concierge. Annette took over responsibility for cleaning and maintaining Segment 11 of the road following the storm. Annette has removed around one-third of the eight-mile segment since building began. This section of the route passes through Morne Diablotin National Park, which includes Morne Diablotin, the island’s highest peak. Annette and a few other volunteers were waiting at the trailhead when I met up with her to begin my day on the Waitukubuli. We proceeded down Segment 11’s cleaned path.

Fabian walked into the thick undergrowth and removed power equipment concealed behind a tarp. Annette unzipped a bag that had rakes, scythes, and heavy gloves. Fabian started the chainsaw as she distributed the tools. While Dylan sliced through a tangle of vines and razor grass, he cut down fallen trunks and branches that obstructed our progress farther up the trail. The others followed in our wake, hurling brush and timber into the surrounding forest.

When I wasn’t working, my Secret Bay condo provided a comfortable refuge. Every morning, I drank coffee on the balcony overlooking Cabrits National Park, watching bananaquits land on the railing and peering at my papaya for breakfast.