Hike into Dominica

VERY EASY HIKES

You don’t need to be an expert hiker to take in the awesome beauty that is Dominica. Easy trails across the island allow you to experience much of what the Nature Island has to offer.

 

 

Syndicate Nature Trail - West

Length: 0.8 miles
Duration: 45 minutes
Forest type: Rainforest
 
Nestled on the foothills of Dominica’s tallest mountain, Morne Diablotin, and close to the Picard River Gorge is the Syndicate Nature Trail. Located in the National Park, this lasso trail is home to Dominica’s indigenous birds, the Sisserou (Amazona imperialis), Dominica’s National Bird, and the Jaco (Amazona arausiaca) The Syndicate area is popular for bird watching as it is a bird sanctuary for some of the 51 species of local and migrant birds that may be found in the Park. This area also has a diverse array of flora. It is a key location for research and educational purposes and has lovely view points along an easy walking path.
 
 

Titou Gorge - Roseau Valley

Length: 0.5 miles
Duration: 5-10 minutes
Forest type: Secondary Forest
 
On the trip to Titou Gorge, which means "Little Throat" in the Carib language, you will swim from the base of a waterfall through a series of natural rooms and ponds formed by high cliff walls canopied by interlaced trees. The undulating sides of this deep, narrow gorge were not cut by a river, rather by the cooling and splitting of molten lava. To get to the gorge, drive a half-mile beyond Laudat and look for the utility station. The swim is short, only about five minutes. It is advisable to use a floating device.  Depth varies depending on rainfall. The canopied light filtering down the mountainside within the gorge is spectacular. A hot spring tumbles down a short wall just outside the entrance of the gorge, perfect for a soak after the cool waters of the falls. 
 
 

Jaco Flats/Steps - Interior

Length: 1 mile
Duration: 45 minutes
 
This is the site of a Maroon encampment of escaped slaves in the 1700s. The name was coined after a runaway slave, Jaco, who found refuge there. Access is uphill to a plateau after crossing the Belles River. The highlight of this walk is the flight of 135 steps up a steep incline manually constructed by the slaves who lived there.
 
 

EASY HIKES


Emerald Pool - East 

Length: 0.7 miles
Duration: 25 minutes
Forest type: Rainforest 

Tucked a mere 5 minutes off the interior Roseau-Castle Bruce road, is Dominica's most accessible waterfall in the World Heritage Site. Once you arrive at the junction with the road to Rosalie, a well-marked entrance is just 1/2 mile away. The 2/3 mile lasso trail takes you along a walkway to a 40 ft waterfall. The waterfall-fed pool’s crystal clear water appears green in the tree-filtered sunlight. Time for a dip! On your way back there are two view points where you can see the Atlantic Coast and Morne Laurent to your left, rising to an elevation of 2248 ft. 

 

Trafalgar Falls - Roseau Valley

Length: 0.2 miles
Duration: 20 minutes 
Forest type: Secondary Forest

If you visit the picturesque village of Trafalgar in the Roseau Valley  make sure not to miss one of Dominica’s most popular natural attractions - Trafalgar Falls. Two major falls cascade side by side, the taller “father” is to the left at about 125 ft, and the shorter “mother” fall to the right is about 75 ft. Both waterfalls are located on tributaries of the Roseau River. From the road and visitor reception area, a 10 to 15 minute walk along a well-maintained path brings you to a viewing platform where you can photograph both falls. Near the waterfall is a warm spring. The orange color is a result of iron compounds in the clay, not from sulphur, as most people believe. A tour guide is recommended in the event you would like to venture beyond the viewing platform due to slippery rocks and a past collapse.

 

Fresh Water Lake Trail (part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site) 

Length: 2.5 miles
Duration: 1.5 hours
Forest type: Montane Forest

Nestled in the World Heritage Site is the Freshwater Lake, the largest of Dominica’s lakes. It is located in the village of Laudat over 2,500 ft above sea level. It lies at the center of an old volcano at the foot of Morne Macaque and is the source of the Roseau River. A trail surrounds the lake and allows for some spectacular views from all angles.