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Hiking the Untamed Wilderness of Dominica

Last Updated on September 21, 2020

Dominica is a Caribbean island that has tourist spots and tropical rainforests. It is a mountainous island. And it is covered by numerous hiking trails that can provide the maximum thrill to the hikers. One of the trails is the Waitukubuli National Trail, which crosses the whole island from north to south in 14 segments. And it requires between 11 and 14 days to complete a hiking season.

Besides that, there are other excellent sights which can be reached by day-hikes or by side-trips. And we have described below about some essential trails which represent the untamed wilderness of Dominica.

Boiling Lake Hike

If you want to see the second-largest boiling lake in the world that contains the bluish-gray waters, then you should come to the boiling lake of Dominica. You can consider the lake as one of your hiking trails.

You have to begin the hike from Titou Gorge, and you need to continue walking by the Breakfast River to the Valley of Desolation. There you will notice some highest peaks, which are approximately 3,198 feet.

Being in that high means, you can enjoy the spectacular scenarios. Also, you will notice the boiling hot steam there. And it makes your views more dramatic as you will see the hot steam in black, gray, and yellow colors. It happens because the area has a high concentration of sulfur.

The Boiling Lake Trail can be a true adventurer’s hike as it comes with the rocks, the steep climbs, and the rushing river crossing. Even then, we highly recommend you having a guide because the trail contains sections that can test your nerve, stamina, and strength.

Emerald Falls

You can get access to the Emerald falls by walking a short distance of 0.75-mile from the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Or, you can take the route of Segment 5 to reach the Waitukubuli National Trail. The distance of the trail is 115 miles, and it has 14 segments.

These segments take you from the southern part of Scott Head to the north, and it ends in Cabrits National Park. Anyway, after reaching the Emerald Falls, you will see a 40-foot waterfall. Besides the waterfall, the area is filled with wildlife, so we recommend you to be cautious enough before moving your toes.

Segment 13 of the Waitukubuli National Trail

Segment 13 of the Waitukubuli National Trail is another exciting path for hikers. It enables you to see a wooded forest, grassy mountains, and, of course, mud. Besides that, there are also some steep climbs which you get in other mountainous areas.

And, along the way, you will find a few spots where you can have a break and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Approximately it requires four hours to complete the hike, and some hikers spend a day viewing the scenic sections of northern Dominica.

It depends entirely on the hikers how much time they want to spend. However, for safety, it will be better to keep sign markers to signify the Waitukubuli National Trail.

Other popular trails:

Trafalgar Falls

Trafalgar Falls is a 15-minute hike, and it will bring you face-to-face with Dominica’s signature, which is twin falls. Either you can reach the right fall, which is known as “Mother,” or you can choose the left-fall, which is, of course, “Father” for taking a dip. No matter which one you choose, you will have to face a rocky trail, and it is dotted with slick boulders.

Middleham Falls Trail:

Hikers all over the world consider the Middleham Falls Trail as a visually impressive hike. It will lead you to Dominica’s highest waterfall, which is 200 feet. The trail starts with a steep climb, and the rainforest is the end of the trail.

In essence, the hike requires three-hour to get finished. Anyway, we recommend you to wear high-quality hiking boots as the trail gets slippery when you reach closer to the waterfall.

Final Words

Hiking in Dominica doesn’t mean a nice walk in the forest. It means genuinely untamed wilderness. It is a destination for serious hikers and adventurer enthusiasts. In Dominica, travelers can see spectacular scenarios, and with that, they experience one of their best hikes, which may not be possible in many other places around the planet.

That means Dominica has the wildest and alive forests that can provide the thrill to the serious hikers. So, we recommend you to consider a visit to Dominica if you are a hiking lover.