From the sea
The view by boat.
Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Jim Vajda — CC BY 2.0 · Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA — CC BY 2.0 · Konstantin Krismer — Public domain · XeresNelro — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jean-Marc Astesana from Voisins le Bretonneux, France — CC BY-SA 2.0
The Pitons are two pointed volcanic peaks rising from the sea on the south-west coast of Saint Lucia, near the town of Soufrière. Petit Piton is 743 m high and Gros Piton 798 m, joined by a ridge called Piton Mitan. They are the symbol of the island and its best-known view. The peaks are lava domes formed 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. With their surroundings they make up a World Heritage Site of 2,909 ha. Tropical moist forest covers them, with dwarf woodland on the summits. Gros Piton alone has 148 recorded plant species and 27 bird species, five of them found nowhere else. You see the peaks from everywhere in Soufrière, from the sea as your boat comes close, and from lookouts on the road. Gros Piton can be climbed without ropes or climbing experience, a round trip of a few hours with a local guide from the trail office. The trail is steep and hot. The Pitons are 6 km south of Soufrière and 25 km in a straight line south of Castries. The view is free. Sources give the Gros Piton trail fee, with the required guide, at about US$50, around EC$135. Start the climb in the morning and carry plenty of water.
The view by boat.
A climb with a local guide.
Birds found nowhere else.
Between Soufrière and Choiseul, south-west coast of Saint Lucia
Yes, Gros Piton needs no ropes, with a required guide.
A few hours up and down, so start in the morning.