Editor’s Note: This is the first blog post in a series about the hike to the Boiling Lake within the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

The first question I asked myself when I thought about doing this six-hour hike was whether I was fit enough. I decided I was, as I ran four times a week for about 40 minutes on average. Another question was this – should I hire a guide? The answer to this question is definitely yes – and a good guide will only cost US$10 per hour.

Six miles isn’t that far, however, there are few level sections on this hike, as well as steep ascents and descents both ways. The hardest part is the set of slippery steps that I climbed after the Valley of Desolation on my return from the Boiling Lake. By this time I was tired due to the steep terrain, the humidity of the forest, and the sun overhead.

It will almost certainly rain at some point so place all spare clothes, food and cameras in plastic bags before leaving. When I say rain, I mean an incessant torrent that feels like someone was playing a hose over me all the time.

 

Julian has written articles on Middle Eastern and European architecture for the US magazine Skipping Stones. He has written travel articles that were published in The Toronto Globe and Mail, Fate Magazine, National Catholic Register, and Northwest Travel. Julian has also written articles for the In The Know Traveler, Go Nomad, InTravelmag, and Go World Travel websites. He has also taken many photographs that have appeared in travel guides by National Geographic, Thomas Cook and The Rough Guides. Examples of his work can be found at http://www.photographersdirect.com/sellers/details.asp?portfolio=13734