St Lucia Gros Piton Tour
Tour description & what to expect
The Caribbean island of St Lucia is one of the world’s finest tropical paradises, a heady brew of tropical rainforests, healing sulphur springs, azure blue seas and golden sands. But perhaps the island’s finest attraction is the twin peaks of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, two mighty volcanic plugs that rise starkly from the south-western coast of St Lucia. A St Lucia Gros Piton hike is an adventure of a lifetime – its slopes packed with dense jungle that hide ancient Amerindian ruins before you ascend to the summit where a breath-taking vista awaits you, the Caribbean Sea and the gorgeous landscape of St Lucia spread before you.
The Gros Piton hike in St Lucia is the ultimate high – well, the ultimate high adventure. Gros Piton’s height stands at 2,619ft with Petit Piton only some 60ft shorter. The twin peaks have a distinctive pyramid shape, the legacy of their creation millions of years ago as lava domes and they form part of the protected region known as the Pitons Management Area, which includes the sulphur hot springs at nearby Soufriere and coral reefs offshore. Hiking is only permitted on Gros Piton because of the steep and dangerous slopes of Petit Piton. A hike to the summit of Gros Piton is an adrenaline-fuelled adventure, one that is not a trip for the faint-hearted or the unfit. But while the St Lucia Gros Piton trail is challenging, every step along the way is worth it.
In the town of Fond Gens Libre you’ll find an interpretive centre that has information about the whole Pitons area, where you’ll pay your fee to climb and engage the Gros Piton tour guides who can lead you to the summit. All guides with Real St Lucia Tours are experienced locals who know this area like the back of their hands and know exactly how to help you make the very best out of your hike.
What's Included
- Free pickup and return service.
- Entrance fees & water..
- Professional Tour Guide/Driver
- Free add-on stops(stop at a beach or waterfall after the hike)
- Sneaker/Hiking shoes - Cash - Change of Clothes - Towel - Camera - Sunscreen
As Gros Piton is a challenging and high peak, a hike to its summit can take anything from three to five hours, depending on the ability of those in the hiking group or on your desire to stop and smell the flowers along the way. The best time to set out on your St Lucia Gros Piton climb is in the cool of the morning before the blazing Caribbean sun is at its strongest.
Dressing appropriately is essential – wear comfortable walking or hiking boots that will help you keep your balance on what can be fairly rugged tracks; make sure you wear sunscreen and bring plenty along to top up your skin during the day; carry a cardigan or jacket so you can cover up any bare skin if the sun gets too fierce; and, of course, bring along bottles of water because hiking is thirsty work! Last but not least, you’ll need a camera because capturing the captivating views from the top of Gros Piton will let you relive this amazing trip over and over again.
History in the Making
Your Gros Piton hike tour adventure starts in Fond Gens Libre, a town that dates back to the early 1700s and played a significant role when St Lucia’s slaves rebelled in 1748 – the town’s name, in fact, translates as Valley of the Free People. Here the black freedom fighters, known as brigands, hid in the inaccessible mountains to see off the troops determined to recapture them. Some of today’s Pitons’ tour guides are direct descendants of those slaves or brigands and their tales bring history to startling, vivid life as you explore this historic town and sample the produce sold by the local traders.
Fond Gens Libre is base camp for the Gros Piton hiking trail and from its prime spot at the foot of the mountain, you will see the outline of the trails that take you up the mountainside.
Your guide will explain all about the native flora and fauna you can expect to see en route and will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the exciting ascent ahead of you. The start of the trail is marked by a stairway of volcanic stones that hint at the beauty you will soon experience.
The views are quite simply extraordinary – the neighbouring island of St Vincent, some 20 miles away, sits like a jewel resting in the sparkling blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, almost as though you could reach out and touch it. At the halfway point, stop for a breather and soak up the breath-taking sight of nearby Petit Piton.
You’ll find you need to stay focused on watching where you step – the natural beauty of the Pitons is unspoiled so the steps and “stairs” on the trail are actually volcanic rocks that have been lying here for thousands of years.
Your guide will warn you when the going is going to get particularly tough and ensure you ascend the summit safely and without any mishaps but when you do finally step up to the top after climbing the Gros Piton trail, you will know you’ve made it under your own steam.
Lush and Lovely
The vegetation that fills the slopes and summit of Gros Piton is quite magnificent and ranges from coastal forest to tropical rainforest. The lush tropical vegetation is home to around 27 bird species, five of which are native to St Lucia. On your Gros Piton tour, look for mongoose, reptiles, bats and amphibians, while colourful butterflies flutter around your head. Expect to stumble across ruins left by the Amerindians, the first peoples to live on this island; you’ll see caves that once hid runaway slaves; and around the base of the volcanic peaks lie the remains of some of St Lucia’s colonial past in old plantations and sugar mill ruins.
And once you’ve reached the summit, expect to be bowled over again by the sheer magnificence of the vistas. Head for the two open viewpoints away from the dense rainforest that covers the summit and drink in the views south to Vieux Fort and across the ocean to St Vincent. Your St Lucia Gros Piton Hike is everything you’ve dreamed of – and more.
After your hike you have the option of visiting a beach, a waterfall, the volcano, a restaurant or all three (We are crazy about our adventure family and that's why they love us). Do note entrance fees to the volcano, waterfall and lunch cost isn't included in quoted price. Everything else is on us..
When you visit the beautiful tropical island of St. Lucia, allow yourself to let the very best of the island to come to you. Of all the wonderful things St. Lucia offers, by far the most spectacular are the vistas from the majestic peak of Gros Piton. From here you take in the Atlantic Ocean’s beauty and island of St. Vincent, capture a stunning view of Gros Piton’s sister peak Petit Piton, and spot Martinique in the distance.
How does one experience this wonderland? Real St. Lucia Tours has arranged for access to this remote area of the island and provides Gros Piton hikes for those interested in exploring the beauty of the St. Lucia Pitons.
You will ride along the scenic west coast of the island, through lush tropical vegetation and onto the Fond Gens Libre, or "village of the free people" community. At the island’s Interpretive Center, one of our friendly, trained and knowledgeable guides will greet you and explain the day’s itinerary.
The journey will follow the Gros Piton Trail, winding around the mountain at a gentle gradient. This first half of the trail is moderate and can be enjoyed by everyone. You will be treated to beautiful panoramic vistas in every direction, with Petit Piton in the distance. Caves once used by runaway slaves and the famous ‘tree of life’ are other unique encounters along the trail.
For the more adventurous, the second half of the journey provides a more challenging gradient in an ascent to the nearly 3,000-foot Gros Piton summit. From there you have an outstanding view of Petit Piton and the Caribbean Sea, as well as a rich variety of tropical vegetation. Your vista from the top is one that has been shared by generations of native islanders dating back to the early 1700s.
Following your measured descent you can choose lunch at one of the charming local restaurants and have the coach carry you back to your hotel. This unique and wonderful adventure is made possible exclusively through Real St. Lucia Tours, your gateway to outstanding Gros Piton memories that will last a lifetime.
