Morne Trois Pitons National Park

The Morne Trois Pitions National Park is in Dominica. The park is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Understand
The name of the park translates to "Mountains of Three Peaks". In the park you find unspoiled forest hard to access. The park is most famous for the Valley of Desolation with its geysers and mud lakes. However, there's much more than that in the park — including water falls and lakes with crystal clear water.

History
The national park was just a forest area in 1940, since 1952 a forest reserve and since 1975 a national park — the first one on Dominica. In 1997 UNESCO declared the park a world heritage site. Today Morne Trois Pitons comprises an area of 6800 hectares, six signposted hiking paths complete with picnic sites and rain covers.

Landscape
There are four former volcanoes in the park. Morne Trois Pitons itself has a height of 1342 m. From its peak the distance to the sea is about 8 km. Morne Watt reaches a height of 1317 m, Morne Anglais 1207 m and Morne Macaque 1120 m.

Climate
The dry period from March to May is the best time to visit the park.

Get around
You can hike to the peaks of the former volcanoes along narrow paths, however you should always go with a guide. To ascend the Morne Trois Pitons, three hours in each direction is required. To get from Wotten Waven to the summit of Morne Watt, expect four hours in each direction. To get to the peak of Morne Anglais, starting from the village of Giraudel you will be at the summit in two hours, to get back it takes another two hours.

There's a funicular called Dominica Rainforest Aerial Tram, operated by the company Rainforest Sky Rides, giving passengers a great view of Trois Pitons. The station is near Titou. The 22 gondolas have eight seats each and ascend the Titou Canyon with views of the Breakfast river. There is a guide on board telling passengers about the vegetation below. A ride takes 70 minutes, but you will also have the option to stop mid-way and walk across the river along a suspension bridge — not for those afraid of high places. On the downside, the aerial tram only operates on days when cruise ships dock in Roseau. Titou Gorge is also the starting point for the path to the Boiling Lake (again, a qualified guide is required).

See

 * This is one of the most biggest valleys in all of the world
 * This is one of the most biggest valleys in all of the world

Stay safe
Signage on paths are often non-existent, so it's easy to get lost if you're on your own. Moreover, at just 15° above the Equator, the sun sets earlier that you might expect. It's therefore safest to hike with a qualified guide rather than on your own. You will find guides at the cable car station, but freelance guides tend to have a lot lower rates.

Ken's Hinterland Adventure Tours is a guide company at the higher end of the price spectrum.