Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park can be described as a Luxuriant natural tropical forest in harmony with volcanic features of high scenic appeal and scientific interest.
The park is also known for its diverse flora with endemic species of vascular plants, its volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls, illustrating ongoing geo-morphological processes with high scenic value.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park was also the first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Caribbean in 1997.
It was also the first of the islands’ National Parks to be legally established, in July of 1975, by an act of parliament.The Park is 13.4 km long by an average of 5 km across and covers the southern end of the mountain backbone of the island.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park was named after its highest point – a 1,437m volcanic stub, includes large tracts of the most extensive undisturbed tropical forest in the Lesser Antilles and the headwaters of most of the major streams and rivers of southern part of Dominica.
Its range of five volcanoes contains a rare combination of precipitous slopes and deeply incised valleys, the richest biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles with freshwater lakes, 50 fumaroles, hot springs, a boiling lake, and spectacular scenery.
Other outstanding features of the site include the Emerald Pool fed by the Middleham Falls, Stinking Hole, a lava tube in the middle of the forest; The Boiling Lake, a 200-foot-wide flooded fumarole with grey-blue water that bubbles; Titou Gorge, a small waterfall located in a water-filled Gorge near the boiling lake, and the Freshwater and Boeri Lakes, separated by Morne Macaque.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park is by no doubt, one the most highly scenic tracts of undisturbed tropical forest in the Lesser Antilles. Its no wonder Tourist numbers are increasing every year. Approximately 10,000-15,000 visitors a year walk to the Emerald Pool, and another 2000 make the 6 km hike to the Boiling Lake from Laudat village.
Come explore Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park, and you will discover a number of ancient trails or footpaths, cross the Park roughly east-west between mountains or north-south along ridges. Some of which were used in the recent past before roads to the east were completed in 1960 for access to Roseau and by hunters. Now used for sightseeing such as to the Valley of Desolation, for trekking, cycling and riding. Canyoning and much more.