
Fort Shirley is the highlight of Cabrits National Park
Established in 1986 at Portsmouth, the island's second
most important town. Cabrits Park is 1,313 acres, but much of it (1,053
acres) is underwater.
Two forested hillsides contain the scattered buildings
of the once-huge Fort Shirley complex, on which restoration began in
1982.
Clearly marked paths meander the hillsides past the Commander's
Quarters, Douglas Battery and other sites. Only the main buildings have
yet been cleared; ficus roots still hold most of the buildings hostage.
A small museum is housed in a former powder magazine.
The highest point on the Cabrits headland is only 600
feet, so the trails are not difficult, though inclines in some spots
may be steep for short stretches.
Besides scenic coastal vistas, you're likely to see more
of Dominica 's lizards and hummingbirds. The plant life is particularly
interesting if you have the booklet Cabrits Plants and Their Uses,
available from the Forestry Division office located in the Botanical
Gardens in Roseau.
Return to Dominica Homepage
|