Marijke is the person who started the idea to create a trail behind the place where she lives. Groot Santa Martha ( Curaçao ).
She is in love with nature and especially plants ( flora ).
This is why she started making the trails without damaging to much plants. It’s an unique and very dedicate way of creating trails that you don’t see in other trails on the island.
If you hike on different trails, including Marijke’s Nature trail, you will notice a difference.
Not only you will get the feeling to be part of the nature, but also you will hike in an area with no urbanization. Deep in the mondi*1.
*1 Mondi = Papiamentu word for woods / bush ( papiamentu is the spoken native language on Curaçao )
Marijke is the woman who started the idea of creating a hiking trail behind her home in Groot Santa Martha (Curaçao).
Driven by a deep love for nature and especially plants ( flora ).
She began shaping the trail with great care, always respecting the environment and not disturbing vegetation. This thoughtful and dedicated way of creating trails is unique and sets Marijke’s Nature Trail apart from many others on the island.
Today, her vision lives on through her son and her grandson, who continue to maintain and protect the trail with the same respect for nature. Together, three generations care for this special place, ensuring that it remains natural, peaceful and accessible for future hikers.
When hiking other trails on Curaçao, you will notice the difference. Here, you don’t just walk through nature. You become part of it. The trail leads you deep into the mondi*¹, far away from urbanization.
Maintaining Marijke’s Nature Trail is ongoing work done entirely by hand, always with respect for nature. We clear fallen branches, cactus and overgrowth to keep the trail safe, while preserving its natural and untouched character. From time to time, we also remove garbage left behind by visitors to protect the environment.
Maintaining the trail cost a lot of energy and time. We do it with love. And by donating you can help keep this trail maintaining it’s high standards for all users. And also protecting nature. Your support makes it possible for future generations to experience Curaçao’s natural beauty in its purest form.
If this story inspire you, you’re welcome to support the trail.
*¹ Mondi = Papiamentu word for woods / bush (Papiamentu is the native spoken language of Curaçao).
Maintaining Marijke’s Nature Trail is ongoing work done entirely by hand, always with respect for nature. We clear fallen branches, cactus and overgrowth to keep the trail safe, while preserving its natural and untouched character. From time to time, we also remove garbage left behind by visitors to protect the environment.
This care is carried out by Marijke’s family. Three generations working together as a labor of love. Maintaining the trail requires time, effort, and dedication, especially in the Curaçao climate.
By supporting the trail through donations, you help us continue this work, protect the surrounding flora, and to keep Marijke’s Nature Trail free and open for future generations.
Donald, a.k.a. Mompi, is one of the 2 sons of Marijke. He is also a big contributer for keeping Marijke’s Nature trail one of the most beautiful and unique trails of Curaçao.
He followed the steps of his mother by caring for nature and making other people have the same experience by guiding them through Marijke’s Nature trail. ( Also on all other trails on the island ).
Mompi is packed with information about flora, fauna, history and a lot more of the area and the whole island.
He will be loved to share it all with you.
What makes Marijke’s Nature trail so special?
Beside the fact that the trail leads through a very remote area with no urbanization, the trails give you the idea like they were never made by a human being.
It’s like nature made them by itself.
Also the trail is very safe in every way of thinking.
The trail has different routes. You decide which route you take.
They all start and end at the same location.
One of the great things that makes this trail very unique is it’s diversity.
Something you don’t find in other trails. Different scenery views, large variety of plants and trees, wildlife, history, saltpan ( if you are lucky flamingos ) a beach on the south coast, Playa Sá ( If you are lucky again, sea turtles ) and a lot more. All in one trail!
You can hike alone. No problem with that.
If you want to hike and get a lot of information about the area and the island, we recommend to hike with a guide. ( Mompi )
Mompi takes his time so you don’t feel like you are in a hurry.
Take your time taking pictures, exploring the trail and feel the energy of nature!
Please fill out the form below to get in contact with us.