St Lucia / Special Interests / Hiking & Walking

With so much rugged land, some of which is completely unexplored because it is so inaccessible, there are many good opportunities for walking and hiking in St Lucia. There are many organised walks, led by local guides, on which you can discover local flora and sometimes fauna. Most hikes have no need for specialist equipment, but the rainforest is often wet and muddy and so you may well need boots or shoes with a good sole. It makes sense to carry a waterproof coat against the inevitable shower of rain.

For guided hikes of St Lucia we suggest:

St Lucia Heritage Tours - There are a number of guided and unguided visits to its sites and they also offer guided hikes, which besides the normal rainforest trails climb local peaks and follow rivers (often literally in the river, which is great fun).

The Forestry Department, t 450 2231 - Forestry can also fix up a guide for you. Mr Augustin has a good reputation.

Hikes and walking trails

Gros Piton / Fond Gens Libre Trail - Wonderful walk with great views up the larger of the twin peaks. Not crowded at all. Very good track, well maintained by community of Fond Gens Libres. About five hours total, need to be quite fit as it is very steep in parts. Heat stress possible especially lower slopes in dry season, when trees lose their leaves, so start the walk as early as possible. A guide is essential. You’ll need at least 1.5 litres of water. Access roads poor and 4 wheel-drive needed. Price US$25 per adult, children half price.

Petit Piton - The Petit piton on the other hand is a demanding and in places dangerous climb. Unofficial ‘guides’ will offer to take you up for a price, but it is not recommended.

Piton Flore Rainforest - A well-made track on the old French road that takes you on a circular tour around the outside of Piton Flore, a deep and shady rainforest. Most sections are fairly flat but at one point there is quite a long climb on well-made steps. It is also possible to make the steep hike to the top of Piton Flore, which has great views ranging from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean. The walk starts in village of Forestiere, 30 minutes drive from the north of the island, just about reachable in a car, through better in a jeep better and takes about 2 hours for the circular route plus 1 hour for Piton Flore ascent. You must call in advance, price US$10 per person.

Morne La Combe Rainforest Trail - A very pleasant and easy, well-made trail which passes through dense forest interspersed with small openings giving great views of the Atlantic. Once the base of Morne La Combe is reached the track becomes very steep and a reasonable degree of fitness is needed. There are great views form the top, at 1446ft, over the Roseau and Mabouya Valleys. Allow 3 hours for the total trip. The entrance is on the main Castries to Vieux Fort Highway, so it can be reached by bus or car. Get off at the top of the Bar de L'Isle, pronounced the ‘badelin’, where there are guides from Monday to Friday. Entrance US$10 per person, gates closed other times.

Des Cartiers Forest Trail - Probably the best forest walk in the island. A very attractive 3-hour circular path through excellent mature rainforest and views for parrot watching. A wet area but cool. It is a 40-minute drive on poor roads inland from Micoud. It is possible to get lost in a tangle of banana feeder roads but there are signs and the farmers are very helpful. Jeep essential Guides are available from Monday to Friday, entrance US$10 per person.

En bas Saut waterfall walk - A long, steep descent by well-made steps to a waterfall in a cathedral-like setting on the Troumasse river, passing through very dense shady forest and ascending by another path which eventually leads into an old plantation. Aerobically challenging. A very wet area. Worth doing if you are staying in Soufrière. Accessed by road from Soufrière to Ravine Claire and then Fond St Jacques, then an atrocious track to the forest edge. You’ll need a jeep and a hardy spirit. Guides available Monday-Friday, cost US$10 per person.

Anse La Liberte coastal walk - A long descent through dry forest to a pleasant small Caribbean beach and a steep climb back on a separate track. Suitable for hikers and ramblers, hot, plenty of water needed. Look for the sign after leaving Canaries towards Soufrière. Two hours walking. Guides are on duty week days. Entrance is US$3 per person.

Morne Le Blanc/Laborie - Set above the town of Laborie in the south of St Lucia, with views from the summit as far as St Vincent.

The walks below originate around Balenbouche Estate in the south of the island:

Saltibus Waterfall and Rainforest Trail - A 2-3 hour moderate to strenuous rainforest trek beginning just north Saltibus. The trail leads into the rainforest, and then divides, heading to Mont Grand Magasin and to the Saltibus Falls, a stunning series of waterfalls and deep river pools. The trail is managed and maintained by the Saltibus Tourguide Association in collaboration with the St Lucia Forestry Department. There is a small user and guide fee.

River Doree - Devil’s Bridge - Visit the legendary Devil’s Bridge which spans a narrow river canyon of over 50 feet. You can hike up the River Doree for about 45 minutes from the main road or reach the bridge on a local road. Great picnic and river bathing spot.

Balenbouche River - Starting from the Amerindian rock basins at the mouth of the Balenbouche river, you can walk through shallow water upstream for about 40 minutes. You will see many birds, and an ancient Amerindian stone carving about 10 minutes upstream. Higher up, the river narrows into a canyon lined by trees with amazing root systems reaching down over 20 feet.

Hiking & Camping

Dive Fair Helen , do a good Rainforest Walk & Camping excursion (duration 1½ days and 1 night), which includes transportation, meals and camping equipment (tents and sleeping mats). You will need to take your back pack equipped with camping attire, bed linen, touch lights, sun screen lotion and insect repellent. The cost is US$190 per person.

Non-profit organisations and Government links:

The Heritage Tourism Association of St. Lucia (HERITAS), PO Box 3031, La Clery, Castries, t 458 1454 | heritas@candw.lc | www.heritagetoursstlucia.org