Hike Morne Diablotins

Morne Diablotins is approximately an hour from Roseau or 20 minutes from Portsmouth. In order to get to the trailhead you can use a taxi or local guides in Dominica. To get to the trailhead you'll turn off of Edward Olivier Leblanc Highway. There will be signs pointing towards Syndicate Falls and Morne Diablotins. After driving up the mountain you'll want to keep to your left and follow the signs towards Morne Diablotins. The trailhead marker will be right alongside the road. Whether you use a taxi or a guide that accompanies you on the hike, make sure to negotiate the prices beforehand. For group tours, the more people you have, the cheaper the rate will be. One positive aspect about the guide is that you learn about the wildlife as you hike the mountain.

Hiking Morne Diablotins:

This hike is a difficult because it is 1.2 miles of straight ascent to the summit. Not only is it all uphill, but it is also through ankle deep mud and you have to scramble through branches. 

The beginning of the hike consists of several stairs and some switchbacks. Along the way you'll see very interesting trees and wildlife unique to Dominica. You can also bring binoculars and try to find parrots and frogs, some of which are endangered species on the island. When you start noticing the trees becoming narrower, you've officially hit the rainforest. The rainforest portion of the hike is where you'll encounter most of the mud and you'll have to scramble through trees to continue on the trail. When you start to see clearings within the trees, you've hit the summit. On a clear summer day you should be able to see for miles all the way to Roseau and Portsmouth. When I went, however, it was very rainy and there was poor visibility. Once you're done taking in the view, proceed back the same way you came up, but proceed cautiously as the trail can be extremely slippery.