Hiking Perdu Temps Trail Dominica
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If you’re planning a vacation to Dominica, aka the Nature Island of the Caribbean, outdoor activities are bound to be on your list! Hiking Perdu Temps Trail was my first excursion when I visited Dominica and this post breaks down what you need to know when you go.
And if you enjoy this article, you’ll love my top 10 things to do in Soufriere, Dominica!
What is Perdu Temps in Dominica?
The translation of perdu temps from French to English is “lost time” and once I got into the thick of this hiking experience, I understood why.
The Perdu Temps Trail is roughly six miles long and follows the Perdu Temps River up rainforested mountains and includes several river crossings, steep ascents, and changing weather conditions. We saw all kinds of unique plant life at every turn and some livestock, however, there are no predatory animals on the island so I felt quite safe.
This historical Dominican trail is described as a moderate hike and, while it isn’t as taxing as Dominica’s Boiling Lake hike, for example, it is still strenuous. Traveling with a local guide is highly recommended not only due to the trail’s difficulty but also because it is not always marked.
I booked this guided hiking excursion, known as the Jungle Bay Hike, as part of my stay at Jungle Bay Resort Dominica!
Where is Perdu Temps Trail Dominica?
The Perdu Temps hike runs from the town of Delices in the southeast part of the island to Geneva in the south. The GPS coordinates are 15.253846, -61.316647.
Plan the rest of your trip with my list of things to do in Dominica!
What Gear You’ll Need
The hike is challenging so bring water and electrolytes, if you’re into those! I clipped my reusable water bottle with watermelon LMNT to my bum bag and even refilled it from one of the pure streams as we got higher up the mountain (do so at your own risk).
We experienced changing weather from sunshine to passing rain and much of the path is shaded by trees but it can get bright in spots so wear a hat and bring sunglasses. I wore leggings and crew socks to keep my ankles covered, which was helpful because there were lots of little sticky plants.
Last thing to note is shoes. I wore my hiking boots and there was a mix of hiking boots, Tevas sandals, and sneakers in our group. We crossed six streams, climbed through muddy areas, and even some cow poop, so take that into account as you get dressed. Our guides even wore slides and jelly sandals but they are extremely experienced, having hiked this trail hundreds of times!
Get my Dominica packing list with women’s outfit inspiration while you’re here.
Review of the Hike
I would recommend this activity for intermediate to advanced hikers. We had a variety of ages and fitness levels in our group and two guides, which was helpful because not everyone moved at the same pace the entire time.
From my experience, the trail itself is shrouded in beautiful plants and herbs so it’s fragrant and there are virtually no mosquitoes. Dominica is home to an almost overwhelming variety of edible and medicinal plants and our knowledgeable guides pointed them out all along the way–taste testing included!
Read all about my favorite things to eat in Dominica for the rest of your trip.
Some parts of the trail are very steep and between the elevation and my non-Megan Thee Stallion knees, I needed a couple of breaks before we got to the top. So having different groups to move between was super helpful.
The pinnacle of the hike was the closest to paradise I have come on any Caribbean island so far. We retraced the steps of formerly enslaved Dominicans (known as Maroons) to local legend, Mr. Pump’s remote homestead.
Touring his family’s organic farm was one of my favorite parts of my entire trip to Dominica and we met some of their goats and cows on the way up. The only sound we heard at the top was birdsong and the peace I felt surrounded by tree-lined misty mountain peaks is still today unmatched. This part of the hike is currently only available through Jungle Bay Resort.
By month, Perdu Temps trail is amenable to hikers year-round, except for parts of September and October when hurricane conditions are the ripest. Dominica’s rainy season runs from June through October. I visited at the end of the dry season in late May and we got a fair amount of rain.
For Solo Travelers
I would definitely recommend this hike for solo travel if you book it with a guide as it’s an almost all-day activity where you get to know local people and other travelers.
If you are a skilled hiker and familiar with the Dominican terrain, it’s certainly possible to manage alone, though you won’t get the full experience I described above.
Here’s all my best advice for women solo traveling around the world!
More Favorite Hiking Destinations
I hope this review of climbing Perdu Temps in Dominica helps you plan the most memorable vacation. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this post for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
