The Boiling Lake is situated in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica's World Heritage site. It is a flooded fumarole, or hole in the earth’s surface, 10.5 km east of Roseau, Dominica. It is filled with bubbling greyish-blue water that is usually enveloped in a cloud of vapor. The lake is approximately 60 m across. Dominica's Boiling Lake is situated in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park - Dominica's World Heritage site. It is a flooded fumarole 6.5 miles (10.5 km) east of Roseau, Dominica. It is filled with bubbling greyish-blue water that is usually enveloped in a cloud of vapour. The lake is approximately 200 ft (60 m) across. The first recorded sighting of the lake was in 1870 by Mr. Watt and Dr. Nicholls, two Englishmen working in Dominica at that time. In 1875, Mr. H. Prestoe, a government botanist, and Dr. Nicholls were commissioned to investigate this natural phenomenon. They measured the water temperature and found it to range from 180 to 197 degrees Fahrenheit (82 to 91.5 degrees Celsius) along the edges, but could not measure the temperature at the centre where the lake is actively boiling. They recorded the depth to be greater than 195 ft (59 m). Periodically, there have been fluctuations in the level and activity of the lake. It was all but empty in June 2006, however as of January 2009 the lake is full and boiling vigorously. There is no road leading directly to the lake. It is approximately a 13 kilometer hike to the lake from the nearest road, passing sulfur springs, over mountains and through gorges along the way. On July 6, 2007, Adventure film maker George Kourounis became the first person to ever cross the boiling lake from above, suspended by ropes over the most violently boiling section. This event was filmed for the TV series Angry Planet. Dominica's Boiling Lake is the second largest hot spring in the world. The largest is Frying Pan Lake, located in Waimangu Valley near Rotorua, New Zealand.
The Boiling Lake is a flooded fumarole approx. 6.5 miles east of Roseau. It is filled with bubbling greyish-blue water that is usually enveloped in a cloud of vapour. The lake is approximately 200ft (63m) across. Full background to The Lake. Any page about The Boiling Lake trail should start with the cardinal rule: first and foremost go with someone who knows the way well. You can get a guide when you get to the usual launching point - Laudat - or you can ask around in Roseau in the days before you go. The trail is for the most part well defined and it is tempting to set out on one's own. But since much is along a razor-thin ridge and there are other parts where you're scrambling over rocks, the experience of One Who Knows The Way is without price (but will usually cost you about EC$150 for two). The trail itself is around eight miles. Officially it's around a three-hour walk each way, and that amount of time should be allowed for; do not start the hike after midday. The going is not, in horse racing terms, Good to Firm. 'Extremely Muddy' describes it better. Which leads into cardinal rule number two: wear your scruffiest clothes. The problem is that few people travel on their dream holiday to the Caribbean with the kind of clothes they'd mow the lawn in or paint the house. Nethertheless, I've seen many good (brand new, even) training shoes totally ruined by a trip to The Lake. Good walking boots are best, but any firm & comfortable shoe should suffice. Dominica's Boiling Lake is a unique natural attraction, the second largest of its kind in the world, after that at Rotorua in New Zealand's north island. It occurs at an altitude of 2,500 feet and is situated in Dominica's UNESCO World Heritage Site - The Morne Trois Pitons National Park. The only way to reach it is on foot. The trail from the village of Laudat covers a distance of approx. 7 miles and must not be attempted unless in the company of a qualified hiking guide. This wonderfully scenic hike takes around 3 hours each way to complete. The trail climbs and descends through forested highlands, via Titou Gorge, Breakfast River, Panorama viewpoint and the Valley of Desolation, where steam and boiling water surface through numerous vents and from where the Boiling Lake can be seen steaming in the distance. The Boiling Lake hike is one the most popular activities in Dominica. It is a 7 - 8 hour arduous round-trip adventure, which begins in the village of Laudat, passing through a wide range of vegetation and terrain, including the Valley of desolation with its many unique streams of gray, white and black. This hike offers some of the most spectacular views into the heart of Dominica's rugged interior. The climb up Morne Nichols is the first real challenge, when this assent begins you must without fail follow the instructions of your guide The trail is sometimes very narrow with deep ravines on both sides.
On the crest of Morne Nichols you will be on the highest point of the trail, which is approximately 3,006 feet. If it is a clear day one can see both sides of the island The Caribbean coast to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east. If you are facing east, the grandiose Morne Watt, the island's third highest mountain, to the right Like a giant green god, stands guard over the Valley of Desolation below. From the highest point, steam can be seen rising from the Boiling Lake in a distance. The dramatic descent into the Valley of Desolation now begins. In the Valley caution must at all times be exercised There are hot fumaroles, which can burn you severely. There will also be some streams with water about 94 degrees F. in these you can sit and enjoy the warmth. The minerals which the water contains, are said to be good for your skin. Leaving the Valley of Desolation, the trail will continuously rise and fall As it snakes its way up and down dramatic ridges, crossing unusual streams then finally cresting the last ridge, form which the final five minutes of the hike To the Boiling Lake Can in relative terms be described as easy!!
