service

Morne Diablotin National Park | La Plaine


Information

Landmark: Morne Diablotin National Park
City: La Plaine
Country: Dominica
Continent: North America

Morne Diablotin National Park, La Plaine, Dominica, North America

Overview

In Dominica’s far north, Morne Diablotin National Park remains one of the island’s most untouched treasures, where rain drips from giant ferns and rare wildlife thrives.The park, founded in 2000, was designed to safeguard the Imperial Amazon Parrot-called the Sisserou by locals-along with other species found nowhere else, and to preserve the lush, tangled biodiversity that thrives in the region.It takes its name from Morne Diablotin, Dominica’s tallest peak, which rises 1,447 meters (4,747 feet) into the cool mountain air.Let’s take a closer look at the park: spanning about 8,700 acres of lush tropical rainforest and cool montane forest, it’s anchored by Morne Diablotin-the island’s highest peak and the second tallest in the Lesser Antilles.Steep slopes tumble into deep valleys, and the thick green canopy hums with hidden life, drawing hikers and nature lovers alike.As part of the Eastern Caribbean Forests ecoregion, Morne Diablotin National Park shelters an extraordinary variety of plants and animals.The park’s plant life ranges from lowland rainforest, where towering gommier and bwa mang trees rise in the humid air, to misty montane and elfin woodlands draped in moss and dotted with orchids and ferns adapted to cooler, cloud-covered slopes.It also shelters rare species found nowhere else, like the Dominican magnolia.Wildlife thrives here too, especially birds, including the critically endangered Imperial Amazon parrot-Dominica’s Sisserou-hidden deep in the dense forest.You’ll spot the red-necked parrot-known locally as the Jaco-on Dominica’s flag and, if you’re lucky, flitting through the park’s trees; it’s smaller than the Sisserou but just as striking.The area teems with life: flycatchers dart after insects, thrushes sing at dawn, hummingbirds hover over wildflowers, and warblers flash through the canopy.Agoutis rustle in the undergrowth, bats swoop at dusk, and lizards bask on warm rocks.Frogs call from hidden pools, including the rare Mountain Chicken Frog, now critically endangered.For those who like a challenge, the Morne Diablotin Trail climbs steeply to the island’s highest peak.The round trip takes about six to seven hours, winding through dense green forest and over steep ridges.The Syndicate Nature Trail is easier, a favorite for birdwatchers hoping to glimpse the Imperial Amazon Parrot or other rare species.This trail lies within the Syndicate Parrot Reserve, one of the finest places to see Dominica’s two endemic parrots.Towering trees and misty valleys make it a dream for nature photographers.Morne Diablotin National Park also safeguards much of the island’s precious water supply.Rivers and streams flow from Morne Diablotin National Park, supplying fresh water to nearby communities, while its forests store carbon and shield the land from climate change.Home to rare and endangered species, the park teems with life, from rustling palm fronds to the flash of a parrot’s wings.Its name, “Diablotin,” comes from the French for “little devil,” a nod to the eerie night calls of certain birds or the rugged terrain.For the Kalinago people, these ancestral lands hold deep spiritual and cultural meaning.Just 45 minutes from Roseau, the park is reached through the Syndicate Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps or arrange a guide.December to April brings dry trails, ideal for birdwatching and long hikes.Wear sturdy boots, pack water, snacks, and insect repellent, and bring binoculars for a closer look at wildlife.A local guide can help you spot the elusive parrots.Respect the environment by leaving no trace.With its blend of wild beauty, cultural heritage, and rich biodiversity, Morne Diablotin is a rare treasure for eco-tourists exploring Dominica.


Location

Get Directions



Rate it

You can rate it if you like it


Share it

You can share it with your friends


Contact us

Inform us about text editing, incorrect photo or anything else

Contact us

Landmarks in La Plaine

Ti Kwen Glo Cho
Landmark

Ti Kwen Glo Cho

La Plaine | Dominica
Grand Bay Beach
Landmark

Grand Bay Beach

La Plaine | Dominica
Petite Savanne
Landmark

Petite Savanne

La Plaine | Dominica
Spanny Falls
Landmark

Spanny Falls

La Plaine | Dominica
Fond St. Jean Waterfalls
Landmark

Fond St. Jean Waterfalls

La Plaine | Dominica
Saint Sauveur Falls
Landmark

Saint Sauveur Falls

La Plaine | Dominica
Red Rocks
Landmark

Red Rocks

La Plaine | Dominica

Tourist Landmarks ® All rights reserved