Grand Etang: rainforest, crater lake and waterfalls

Why go

Most visitors to Grenada spend their days on the beach, and Grand Etang shows them a completely different island. The road from St. George's climbs through switchbacks and spice farms into cool, damp forest, and in under an hour you are walking under giant ferns with mist drifting over the lake. It is a fine half day trip, and a great full day for keen hikers.

The lake and visitor centre

The **Grand Etang Visitor Centre** sits near the top of the road, with exhibits about the forest and a viewpoint over the lake. Short trails loop around the shore and through the trees, and Mona monkeys, brought to the island from West Africa centuries ago, often appear near the car park. Please do not feed them.

Waterfalls

**Annandale Falls**, near the bottom of the road on the St. George's side, is the easiest waterfall to visit, with paved paths and a small spice garden. **Seven Sisters Falls**, on the St. Andrew side, is reached by a muddy forest trail through private land, where locals collect a small entry fee and offer guiding. The walk takes around an hour each way to the first falls, and the pools are lovely for a swim. **Mount Carmel Waterfalls** near Marquis on the east coast is one of the tallest on the island and makes a good stop on a loop.

Hiking

The park has trails for every level. The **Shoreline Trail** around the lake is gentle. The **Mount Qua Qua Trail** climbs a steep, narrow ridge with views across the island when the clouds clear, and is very slippery after rain. The longer route to **Concord Falls** crosses the mountains to the west coast, and hikes to **Fedon's Camp**, the base of the 1795 rebellion, and **Mount St. Catherine**, the highest peak, need a licensed guide.

Spices and farms

The road through the park passes nutmeg, cocoa and banana farms, and roadside vendors sell spice bundles and cocoa balls. The nearby **Laura Herb and Spice Garden** in St. David and **Belmont Estate** in St. Patrick are easy to add on a full island tour.

Practical tips

The park is usually visited on an island tour that combines the lake, a waterfall and a spice estate. Minibuses on the Grenville route pass the visitor centre if you prefer to go independently. Wear shoes with grip, carry water, insect repellent and a rain jacket, and start early. Trails can close after heavy rain or storms, so check at the visitor centre before setting out. Pay the park entry fee at the visitor centre and confirm current fees on the official tourism site.

Good to know

It can be noticeably cooler at the lake than on the beach, and it rains often, even in the dry season. Do not swim in Grand Etang Lake itself. Go with a guide for any long trail, and tell someone where you are going.