Dominica: Hike to the Boiling Lake!

About This Experience

This is a guided hike to the largest boiling lake in the Caribbean. A phenomenon found in only two places in the world. An exploration through the lush rainforests of Dominica. Explore the lush rainforest of Dominica on a 6-8 hour guided tour through the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. This hike is considered relatively difficult and features various natural characteristics: waterfalls, rivers, hot springs, and fumaroles. The lake itself is considered one of the most unique natural phenomena in the world. It is literally a boiling lake, also known as a flooded fumarole. At the end of the hike, it is possible to swim in a majestic canyon filled with crystal-clear fresh water and rocks carved by water for millions of years. The swim usually lasts about 5 minutes. HIKE DESCRIPTION: The hike to Dominica's Boiling Lake is one of the most challenging and rewarding adventures on the island. It is typically a 6-8 hour round-trip hike (depending on your fitness level), covering about 13 km through rugged tropical forest and volcanic terrain. Here is what the terrain looks like along the route: The hike can be divided into three parts. It starts in the lush tropical forest, on a gently sloping trail covered with wood that can be slippery, especially after rain. This section lasts about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Before the second part, you will descend to the Breakfast River, which marks the end of the first part. Then, the ascent begins! The climb to the top of the mountain takes about 30-40 minutes (depending on your fitness level) and will lead you to the summit of Morne Nicholls. The climb includes several steep sections followed by short plateaus. Once the ascent is finished, the descent begins. It is a steep descent to the Valley of Desolation; this part lasts about 20-30 minutes. The terrain of the descent includes both muddy and rocky sections. The first 10 minutes are a steep muddy descent, followed by a steep rocky descent where you will need to use your hands. Arriving in the Valley of Desolation marks the end of the second part and the beginning of the last section. This section usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour. It is mostly flat and quite interesting, as you cross an active volcanic zone. This section includes fumaroles, hot springs, and boiling water. There will be three short climbs after a 20-minute 'mostly flat' section. After the last climb, you will walk for 2 minutes on flat terrain and arrive at the lake. At this point, you can regain your strength by having lunch and snacking on some treats, take photos, and begin the return by the same path. Second round! Since the hike is relatively difficult, visitors must have a medium to moderate physical condition.

This experience is located in Roseau, Dominica. View our full island guide to see more things to do, hotels, and restaurants.

Experience Details