Boiling Lake

The path to Boiling Lake

We described Here all the beauties of Dominica , the wilder caribbean island, but The famous path to Boiling Lake, the boiling lake in the middle of the tropical forest, deserves a page to itself. Many hiking lovers visit Dominica only for this itinerary in the great nature of the island. On this page you will find the information to take the trek to Boiling Lake with or without a guide ... because yes, although everywhere there is written that a guide is necessary, with due preparation this path is also passable independently.

From tituo gorge to the breakfast river

First of all, the start of the Boiling Lake path can be conveniently reached by car following the signs for the Gorge tituent. The winding roads of Dominica and road signs are definitely not the maximum, but an offline navigator will help you make the company. Indeed, the offline Maps.me navigation app also has the GPS track of the Boiling Lake path (with some imprecise): this is a first source of information very useful (but not enough) for those who want to travel the itinerary without a guide.

Arriving at the tituo Gorge, with a good chance you will find some guidance awaiting tourists. Despite the fame of the path, don't think you come across many hikers. I traveled on the day of the epiphany, which was also Sunday, so I would say in high season, yet only another three or four groups reached the boiling lake that day.
From the beautiful tituo Gorge, the beginning of Boiling Lake Trail is evident and reported by a sign. The first part of the route is all in the tropical forest. Practically impossible to get lost here, very likely, instead, mute! He stops to have breakfast here. On average, you arrive at the Breakfast River after an hour from departure.

Crossing the stream, you need to look for the path that goes up to Mount Morne Nicholls. It is quite simple to find it, because the path of the route remains evident, but it is also fundamental not to make mistakes. To this end, having a GPS track on the mobile phone is useful for no doubt. However, precisely, continue only if you are on a clear path.
goes up among the vegetation, this time on a steepest route, up to a muddy crest. Here it is good to slip down, because the fall would be ruinous. It is sufficient to walk carefully. The trek for Boiling Lake proceeds to the panoramic top of Mount Morne Nicholls, from which you see, in the distance, even some Roseau's house (the capital of Dominica) and the Caribbean Sea.

The Desolation Valley and Boiling Lake

Going down from Mount Morne Nicholls, the environment starts to change. In addition to tropical vegetation, in fact, they initiate to see the typical colors of volcanic landscapes and, in the distance, clouds of smoke that rise from the ground, including - one can already imagine - the steam produced by Boiling Lake.
The descent on the path becomes more steeper but always evident (and also very muddy) until you get to glimpse the desolation valley. Here the landscape is undoubtedly volcanic, the red, yellow and white soil, with the air that starts knowing about sulfur. It slips down to a throat, also helped by a rope, and you arrive precisely in the Desolation Valley, walking between sulphurous fumarole and small pools of boiling water.

This is the most difficult part of the path for those who do not guide. The track disappears and you need to avoid putting your foot in a boiling steam jet. In general, you have to get off and follow the stream that flows towards the valley. Several paths can appear as possible correct itineraries, and in fact depending on the upheavals made by rains the best path can change, while others can get lost in the woods or in impossible steps.

I was in solitary and perhaps I was right to wait for a guided group (I had met in the desolation valley an intent guide to boil eggs in a pool of water sulphurea - I can't say how they came!), But in the end I opted for Follow the stream. Arriving at a strangely difficult passage, I came back a little further backwards, finding a path that takes up in the woods to the bottom. This path goes into the vegetation, then returns to the stream again (with a rope that helps overcome a difficult passage) and gives it in front of a beautiful natural puddle.

At this point, two hours-two and a half hours have passed since the beginning of the path. Ah, keep in mind these puddles to make a nice bathroom, upon return, in the natural hot water.

From the puddle in the photo above the last stretch of path (here well traced) towards Boiling Lake. First we proceed immersed in tropical vegetation, then you arrive at another fumarole wedge valley. Having the GPS track is useful, but even here you need to invent the path. It rises between red and yellow and white stones, in the middle of green mountains, and closer closer to the cloud of steam that rises from Boiling Lake.

Take the last climb and finally, after about 3 hours from departure, you can admire the boiling lake. Nothing that, compared to what has already been seen, except for the extraordinary vision of a large natural water mirror at a temperature of 100 degrees. It is said that it is the second wider boiling lake in the world.

The return is much easier (apart from that for accumulated fatigue) since you already know the way. In all, I spent 6 hours to do the whole trip, including picnics at Boiling Lake, a few pause and many photos. Dedicating less than 6 hours to this path is a bad idea. On the other hand, I am a good walker, but I also had the influence, so don't think the Boiling Lake Trail is a superuomini business. The height difference in the various ups and downs is a lot (almost 1000 meters), but a 6-hour excursion in Liguria can be equally tiring!

Boiling Lake without a guide?

In short, you can do or not this wild path in the interior of dominica without a place companion? The answer is yes, with some accotes. Having the GPS track is the first. Be sure to presence of other groups along the route is the second, and it is particularly important, even more so if, like me, you are just solo. Third useful suggestion is not to go alone, because if something happens no one will call aid (and here I was disobedient). Being in good physical fitness, with a certain sense of orientation and excellent balance is fundamental, because some points are slippery, steep, at risk fallen, and while a guide can perhaps show you an easier route, if you are alone you have to get caught.
As for the clothing, keep in mind that you will get dirty and you will be went (the temperatures between 22 and 27 degrees will mitigate the latter problem). A k-way and waterproof trekking shoes could be useful.
Finally: Is it really worth doing all this effort to reach Boiling Lake? Of course!! Not so much for the goal, but for the path itself, which gives great satisfaction, allows you to admire the amazing landscapes of Dominica and makes you immerse in a wonderful adventure ... which, without a guide, becomes even more exciting.

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