There is no doubt that the Trafalgar Falls are the most popular waterfalls in Dominica. Maybe because of their spectacular nature and the fact they’re just a few minutes way from the capital Roseau.
Monday we decided to go visit the Trafalgar falls again, and as always there were local Dominicans there together with wide variety of tourist. This is maybe my tenth time visiting the Trafalgar Fall and every time it never seems to amaze how lucky I am to be living on such a beautiful island.
Getting To Trafalgar Falls
Getting to the falls is relativity easy. You have the choice of either walking, which might take about an hour to get the falls or you can hire one of the local buses/taxis which will be happy to take you to the falls for a small fee. If you’re new to the island, I suggest you take a local bus/taxi to the falls.
Take the valley road out of Roseau towards Laudat, turn right above Fond Cani through the village of Trafalgar (five miles from Roseau), then drive a further mile to the hydro-electricity plants adjacent to the Papillote Retreat Guest House with its fine garden of exotic plants and wild orchids. There is a small parking area on the slope, and easy ten-minute walk along a path that takes one to a viewing platform overlooking the falls. The twin falls are known as “mother†and “father†falls.
Bathing in Trafalgar Falls
Bathing in the natural pools created by the falls water flow is of the most enjoyable experience, just be ready to climb a moderate to rough path which crosses rocky ground to the base of the “father†falls which is the best place people can bathe. If you’re unable to climb to the falls, you can always soak yourself in the hot springs. In September 1995 there was this huge rockslide which covered the hot springs that the base of the “mother†fall, but did not alter the flow of the river.
Though Trafalgar Falls is a fascinating experience to many visitors, people must also be aware of the dangerous the falls presents. After heavy rains, the flow of the water can still be very strong, and the rocks are VERY slippery, I strongly suggest that visitors be extremely careful and hire one of the local guides when crossing from the viewpoint to the other of the river.