Grand Etang Lake

About this place

Grand Etang Lake is a lake in the crater of a dormant volcano, in the rainforest of Grenada's mountains. Calm water is ringed by green hills, often with mist over the peaks, and the lake appears on the national coat of arms. The lake lies 530 m above sea level, covers about 15 ha and is about 6 m deep. The volcano that built the island has been dormant for 12,000 years. A local tale says a mermaid lives in its depths and lures men to their end. Around it are a forest reserve and national park, an important bird area with hummingbirds and birds found only in the Lesser Antilles. You walk from the visitor centre to the lakeshore among grasses and red flowers, with the forest mirrored in the water. The reserve has rainforest trails for longer walks. It is cooler and wetter here than on the coast. The lake is 8 km in a straight line north-east of St George's on the mountain road, and 2.6 km from Annandale Falls. A small fee is paid at the visitor centre. Bring a rain jacket, and do not walk remote trails alone.