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Hiking and Walking Tours in St. Lucia
St. Lucia’s dramatic terrain provides many hiking trails through the island’s rain forest reserve. Many hiking tours through the major trails are coordinated by the Forestry Department and the St. Lucia National Trust.
Hiking Tours
There are three interesting hiking trails which are administered by the Forestry Department. The Barre de L’ Isle Trail take hikers through the centre of the island along the ridge which leads to the top of Morne La Combe offering magnificent views of the island’s interior. The Des Cartiers Rain Forest Trail which goes through the Quilesse Forest Reserve provides the opportunity to see the rare St. Lucia parrot as well as many other rain forest birds. The Edmond Rain Forest Reserve Trail passes through a dense plantation of tall mature trees interlaced with orchids and Caribbean pine trees while offering a breathtaking view of Mount Gimie, St. Lucia’s highest mountain. Hikers also have the option of challenging the Pitons using the Gros Piton Nature Trail.
There are three other major hiking trails which are managed by the St. Lucia Natural Trust. The Anse La Liberte Trail and the Fregate Island Nature Reserve Trail offers opportunities for bird watching and other historical discoveries. The Hardy Point and Cactus Valley Trail covers the mountain range of La Sociere, sections of the North East coast and the cactus valley. Hikers have the opportunity to observe many species of indigenous cacti and blowholes along the Atlantic coastline.
The hiking trails through St. Lucia’s interior caters for all levels of fitness and are usually a whole day event. There are entrance fees to most of the Forestry trails and a permit is required for bird watchers. Hikers are advised to ware good hiking shoes and to prepare to get wet and muddy.
Walking
The Castries Heritage Tour is a casual walking tour through the city of Castries, organized by the St. Lucia National Trust. The tour offers the visitor an opportunity to learn about the history of the city and some of the important sites there are to see. There are other community and village based tours which could be organized by local community groups and organizations.
Specific details on hiking and walking tours are available from authorized tour operators or directly from the St. Lucia National Trust and the Forestry Department.
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