Along with being an absolutely breathtaking destination, St. Lucia is home to the peaks of Gros and Petit Piton, which are volcanic plugs located on the southwestern coast of the island. The Pitons rise high out of the sea and can be seen from a long distance across the island, beckoning those in search of adventure and a chance to explore off the beaten path. After postponing travel for quite some time due to the pandemic, my husband and I were thrilled to be able to finally go on our honeymoon and visit this beautiful destination.
The Pitons are also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are surrounded by lush, tropical forest, so there is plenty to see and do for those who may not be up for making the steeper climb. Gros Piton stands at about 2,619 ft in height and is much more frequently traversed than its slightly smaller counterpart, and even though it can typically be completed within about 4 – 6 hours, I think it’s important to note that the hike is not easy. It’s certainly worth trying though, and the journey provides some amazing views that you won’t want to miss out on!
Our trip to the Pitons began at about 6:35 am with a pre-arranged shuttle booked through our resort. There are multiple ways to book your hike (as well as other fun excursions on the island), so be sure to do some research beforehand to look at reviews and prices. It’s also important to be aware of just how far your accommodations are from the Pitons; it was a little over a 90-minute drive to get to the area near the visitor center for the trail since our accommodations were in Rodney Bay, which is on the northwest coast of the island.
One aspect of the trip we were not expecting was that we’d be joined by other guests from another hotel, particularly since my husband and I were on our honeymoon and had inquired about this hike in advance. While this turned out to be just fine and we really enjoyed chatting with the father-son duo who accompanied us on the climb, this is just another reminder to do your research and ask questions about the trip you are booking. We didn’t realize that what had been booked would be a group trip, and the cost of the trip was a bit high at $158 USD per person. When booking a Piton hike, also be sure to ask whether the price includes the entry fee to get on the trail and remember to bring some cash to tip your driver and guide. From what I have read, it looks like one can easily head to the visitor’s center to arrange a hike directly (though it may be busier depending on the time of year), which may save on time and costs.
Gros Piton is located near the lovely town of Soufrière, and the winding, scenic drive helped in building the anticipation for the adventure ahead. It is important to note that traveling along the roads can be a little challenging, particularly for those prone to motion sickness, so it may be helpful to bring some medication along. We arrived at the visitor center close to 9:00 am, which as you might imagine, felt like a bit of a late start for a hike in the tropical climate. The timing was probably the biggest challenge of the trip due to the intense heat and humidity (even in December).
Shortly after arriving, a staff member at Gros Piton Nature Trail Interpretation Centre spent some time informing us about the trail area and conditions of the hike ahead. There was even a small diorama of Gros Piton (pictured below), which helped us get more of a perspective on just how steep the volcanic mountain is. We were then offered the option to rent hiking poles, and after experiencing how useful they were on my Mt. Kinabalu climb, I made sure my husband and I had some for this hike. We also then met our assigned guide and the guide with our father-son duo companions, and after one last gear check and bathroom stop (don’t miss out on that), ventured forth to go climb a mountain in the Caribbean.
It was hot. Our excitement was high though, and I was determined to make it to the summit. We chatted and laughed a bit as we went on our way, and I was so thankful to be having this experience with my husband, especially after not having traveled internationally for so long. During the first few minutes of the trail, we passed through part of a small community and were greeted with waves and smiles by some of the locals. I did wonder what the perceptions were of tourists to this area and about the overall impact of tourism on the island. We had a good conversation about this with one of our drivers throughout the trip, and I think it’s important to make an effort to learn more about the areas we visit when possible.
The hike became noticeably more strenuous a bit farther up the trail, and I stopped several times to take water breaks. Definitely take plenty of water with you on this trip; I believe the recommended amount is 1.5 L per person, and you’ll likely use it. About forty minutes later, the combination of the ascent and rising temperature was feeling rough, and I was starting to doubt whether I would actually finish this trek. We were able to stop at a beautiful lookout point though, and we took our time to enjoy some more water and get plenty of pictures. Another important item to mention is that our pace was quicker than I’d expected and was comfortable with, and our guide seemed to be in a bit of a hurry and let us know that we had to make it back down by a certain point. Again, this is why I would absolutely start out earlier next time, and if possible, we would try to be more selective with the company/guide. While my husband and I both try to stay pretty active, this type of hiking was much more challenging than what we’re used to.
So, just under the halfway point, I unfortunately had to stop. The kind father who was with us had given me some snacks to try to help me along, but no amount of banana could help. It really was one of those moments in which I felt completely defeated and a bit embarrassed, and I wondered where the hell my strength and endurance had gone. I encouraged my husband to keep going with the others since he was doing okay and I wanted him to get the most out of this experience, and the guide accompanying the father-son duo stayed with me while I waited for my husband to return.
Cue the tears as I sat there in shame, even more embarrassed that the guide had to wait there with me and tolerate my existential crisis on the mountain. She was very kind though and let me know that plenty of people don’t end up finishing. We chatted for a while, and eventually I had to just laugh about it. Was a DNF on Gros Piton incredibly disheartening? Yes. But was it still a good experience with my husband and an amazing opportunity to learn more about the area and island as a whole? Absolutely.
But…would I do it again?
With a little more preparation and what I know now, I would definitely go back and try to finish the climb. In the meantime, hopefully what I’ve shared here is a little helpful for anyone else planning an epic adventure in St. Lucia. It is a place of incredible natural beauty, culture, and activities for just about everyone, and I do think including Gros Piton in your itinerary is a must. With that, here is a summary of key points to keep in mind for this excursion:
Do a little research ahead of time. As I mentioned, there are a variety of options for booking this hike, and some include add-ons like lunch and visiting mud baths. Spend some time looking at what’s available, along with traveler reviews, as this can be very helpful in planning an enjoyable trip that goes well. Make sure to look at what all is included in the price and reach out to the company/tour organizer with any questions.
Start early if at all possible. This point goes with the previous, and starting this journey much earlier would have really helped. It warms up pretty quickly, especially with how physically challenging the hike is.
Try to find accommodations closer to the peaks. We realized that staying closer to Gros Piton, either in Soufrière or nearby, would have been preferred for at least part of our stay. This would help to avoid the lengthy commute on winding roads and in getting there earlier; however, this is largely dependent on budget and timing, as we found that most accommodations in that area were either very expensive or already sold out. There is a lot to do nearby though and many hotels have spectacular views of the Pitons. So, it might be worth the splurge, but be sure to book early!
Bring plenty of water. This one is obvious but worth repeating.
Consider renting those hiking poles, and wear good shoes! Since Gros Piton is quite steep, the poles can be especially helpful in coming back down. I’ve had mixed feelings about using hiking poles since they sometimes feel like they’re in the way and one more thing to have to carry, but they ended up being quite helpful both times I’ve used them. Also, be sure to wear shoes suitable for this type of hike that have good grip. We found our tennis shoes/sneakers worked well, but some might want more ankle support.
Have some breakfast, or at least bring adequate snacks. While this will be different for everyone, I really should have had a better breakfast with more protein and fat. Also, I realized I was getting hungry again by the time we got to the trailhead, which is never a great sign. Figure out a way ahead of time to have the type of fuel that will keep you going.
Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you’ve found this post helpful. Let me know in the comments if you’ve had a similar experience or are planning a big trip – I’d love to hear about it!