Introduction - introductie

This blog is not a trail guide. It is about the beauty and the diversity of Curaçao.
There are dry months and wet months, days with wind or storm or no breeze at all.
Due to the weather conditions, you may find he trails to be very different from what our pictures show.

Most recent hikes are described in Dutch / Nederlands (kijk voor de laatste wandelingen in het blogarchief). De paden veranderen snel, ze groeien dicht of worden gesloten. Er komen ook nieuwe routes bij.

The other entrees are in English. Our main object is to show the beauty of the island. We cannot always give exact directions of trail heads or ends.
Many trails change, closed by owners, or overgrown. . the maintenance depends on
enthusiastic volunteers. Our group tries out new trails too.

Important: never go hike alone! When visiting popular places like the Salt pans of Jan Kok or Ascencion Bay don't get out of your car unless other people are there. Leave money, cards and other valuables at the Hotel.
If you have no one to come with you, take a hiking tour with a guide. Please read the page with
tips and info
!
Do not touch the
Manzanilla tree or its leaves and apples. They are poisonous.
On all photos copyright of the owners.

Enjoy Hiking Curaçao!
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maandag 2 november 2009

Zapateer / Kabouterbos

Last update: The Kabouterbos is o.k. but the trail through Zapateer is changing and maybe gone in a while, due to the building of new houses.





Combine a short walk through the Kabouterbos with hiking through Zapateer. This will take you 2 hours.
Leave your wheels at the bowling club at the Chuchubiweg. Climb over the rubble and there is the Kabouterbos! You follow the path and if you want to go on to Zapateer cross the road (Erosweg).
The Manzanilla trees have nice little appels.... don't eat them, they are very poisenous. Don't touch the appels or the leaves, you can get very sick and your skin will be itching. When it rains, some people get sick from walking under the wet and dripping Manzanilla trees.
To find the way in Zapateer you have to look for a path, footsteps or you go anywhere you like to go. We try to keep the trail open, but the bushes are very willing to grow. Bring a sharp knive or something to cut the thorny "Wabi" branches.
The trail can be muddy or very dry; you have to watch your step!
There are three dams that you can walk on.
Climb the hill and enjoy the views from there!
There is an old water reservoir that looks like a bike court.
You will get out of there somehow and after crossing the Erosweg again you can complete the circle through the Kabouterbos.
The landscape of Zapateer is changing. Houses are being built.

On the nearby Cascoraweg there are several places you can go to rest and to get cold drinks.

Watamula - including pictures of most recent hike.

Last update: trails are o.k. The trail along the coast is a bit overgrown.
Most recent hike: Oct. 2011










photos by G. Kroeger
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Ook een fijne duikplek / Also a good place for diving





No matter what, on the Watamula trail you will get lost! You study the map, you read the guide book, but at some point there seems to be something wrong.
First things first: Leave your wheels (well locked!) at the parking of Playa Kalki and start walking. You can also park at thje Kura Hulanda Lodges,  entrance fee Naf.10,- - you can have drinks at the restaurant for that money)
Following the route of the map you'll get to the most western point of Curaçao "Watamula". So far so good
The map tells you there is a path along the South Coast to circle back to Playa Kalki. Oh yes, it is there. But then there is a little boca that needs you to jump and climb to get on with the hike. Some do, of course. You end up following the coastline. Beautiful! But at some point the trail is ... well may be some day, it will be there.
Somewhere you can leave the coast line and turn back to the main trail.

Another way to do this outer West Point, is going North along the coast. And back.

Photos: L. Gill, A.Cools, F.Cools