La Soufrière

This hike takes you to La Soufrière, the highest point in Guadeloupe and a dormant volcano. In good weather, the view is magnificent. At the summit, you can truly appreciate the power that lies beneath your feet.

Please note that a large section of this trail is currently closed due to the risk of rockfalls and increased volcanic activity.

Details

2988
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 530 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 525 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,466 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 951 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Les Bains Jaunes above Saint-Claude. The road continues but was closed when we were there due to landslides.
Pass the baths and take the only path that goes up into the forest.

(1) After the footbridge, ignore a trail that descends to the right. The path climbs until it leaves the forest. You will then see the Soufrière and rejoin the road, which is currently closed.

(2). At the end of the car park, take the path heading north towards the volcano. A few dozen metres further on, take a right to see the Virgin Mary statue that protects Guadeloupe from the volcano's mood swings.
The trail runs along the western half of the Soufrière cone, climbing upwards. Some sections are quite steep and narrow. You will also find a few switchbacks and a chasm, evidence of a past eruption.

(3) Once on the northern flank of the volcano, a trail leads to the summit. This part is much steeper, and you may need to use your hands at times.

(4) At the summit, follow the marked trail around the crater. You will see desolate landscapes that contrast sharply with the green and blue surroundings. The main chasm is particularly impressive, as are the vents that spew steam and sulphur with a noise like a jet plane.
Enjoy the view: much of Guadeloupe and some neighbouring islands are visible on a clear day.
Return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 951 m - Bains Jaunes car park
  2. 1 : km 0.33 - alt. 987 m - Footbridge
  3. 2 : km 1.18 - alt. 1,139 m - Parking on the old road
  4. 3 : km 2.64 - alt. 1,397 m - North side
  5. 4 : km 3.53 - alt. 1,437 m - Soufrière (la)
  6. S/E : km 6.37 - alt. 951 m - Bains Jaunes car park

Notes

Wear good walking shoes and bring water and provisions.

Protect yourself from the sun. There is no shade on much of the route and the sun is strong.

It is best to set off very early in the morning to have the best chance of good weather. In the afternoon, La Soufrière is very often shrouded in clouds.

At the summit, follow the signs. Gas fumes can be dangerous.

It is possible to return via the Col de l'Echelle. Unfortunately, this trail was closed during our hike.

Worth a visit

On the way back, take a dip at the Bains Jaunes. It's free and feels great after a long walk.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 28451523

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Machine-translated

KATELINE1976
KATELINE1976
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to do when the Soufrière is clear.
It is quite technical due to the rocks.
Before returning to the Bains Jaunes car park, be sure to visit Lake Flammarion at the bottom of the Citerne volcano crater.

Machine-translated

M.Christine
M.Christine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The path around the crater is closed. The hike can only be done up to point 4. In reality, you go back and forth to the summit.
The description needs to be updated!
The hike is superb. We had wind and rain, but the views at the start of the trail are worth it.
Parking spaces are limited. We parked more than a kilometre from the starting point.

Machine-translated

NADDIE
NADDIE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hikes, a major attraction in Basse Terre. Very popular. Very easy to follow (everyone goes there!). 4 hours round trip. Choose a day with good weather.

Machine-translated

migar
migar

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route with a slightly steep climb due to the rocks, but it's definitely worth it.
The return via the Col de l'Echelle is gentler and much less crowded.

Machine-translated

iso14000
iso14000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

carried out during the week of the fourth wave: the Guadas do not want to be vaccinated

the trail is not particularly difficult for an experienced mountain hiker: if you arrive at Maupas, you will reach the sulphur mine

the weather is often overcast, but paradoxically I found that the volcano was clearer in the evening around 5pm, with sunset at 6pm, which leaves little time to descend => bring a headlamp.

high-top boots are highly recommended for crossing the scree

i met two guides who do the tour with gas masks for the crater tour.

We played rangers and went beyond the limits with our own gas masks, and it's true that the fumaroles are intense...
especially as you can't distinguish them from the fog

so if you don't want to breathe sulphur and get sulphuric acid in your lungs... => gas mask (with the right cartridges)

Machine-translated

Eli2020
Eli2020

Trip planned to Guadeloupe in May

Machine-translated

drbruno
drbruno

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

In the Guadeloupean bush/jungle, you can enjoy climbing and hiking in warm weather.
Not to be missed!

Machine-translated

Fanfoto
Fanfoto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great hike, you need good weather (which I was lucky enough to have) to get the best views. Bring a rain jacket though, as the weather can change very quickly. Very few tourists as it's quite a steep climb. Good shoes recommended (avoid flip-flops or trainers).

Machine-translated

Stefano76
Stefano76

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Arrive early to secure parking and avoid crowds.
We descended via the Col de l'Echelle, which was easy and less crowded.

Machine-translated

Romanepilo
Romanepilo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike up the Col de l'Échelle pass, returning via the Chemin des Dames to avoid taking the same path (total time: 3 hours). The climb is a little more technical due to some slightly unstable sections, but it is perfectly feasible for experienced walkers (1 hour 45 minutes). Be sure to dress warmly, as the wind blows strongly and can be destabilising when there is no vegetation. The 10-minute climb to the summit is made easier by the installation of stakes. The descent via the Chemin des Dames is very accessible, although there are a lot of people around at around 10 a.m. (1 hour 15 minutes to descend). It is best to set off early, at daybreak if possible, to get a parking space and avoid the crowds, or allow a little extra walking time . If the weather is overcast at the summit, don't hesitate to brave the cold and wind to wait for a break in the clouds and admire the fumaroles and the chasm!

Machine-translated

Jbovis
Jbovis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Please note: parking is difficult, with few spaces available. Plan to leave early.
Great hike to do in good weather! Otherwise, it may not be very convenient!
With the increased volcanic activity, it is no longer possible to approach the crater!

Machine-translated

ninegeo
ninegeo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

During our four weeks in Basse Terre, we went to La Soufrière on the only day when the weather forecast predicted fine weather, and yet we had a little rain, but the cloud cover sometimes cleared to allow us to admire a superb panorama. I made the round trip in 2 hours and 40 minutes, but with breaks and photos, it took us 5 hours.
A great trip, but it's quite a workout!

Machine-translated

ChC
ChC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A must-do hike on any trip to Guadeloupe!
Since January 2019, it has not been possible to get close to the enclosure. The fumaroles are too strong.
This hike is classified as difficult on the signs, but we found it to be moderately difficult (much easier than Piton de la Fournaise) when we took our time.
Of course, the earlier you set off, the less you suffer from the heat, but the view does not depend on the time of day and the clouds can disappear in the late morning or early afternoon.
You need to wrap up warm at the summit because of the wind (a k-way isn't enough; take a jumper).
If the weather isn't great, the start of the walk is still interesting.

Machine-translated

a s m
a s m

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

signage on the ground is more than adequate!
very busy
disappointing volcano in the clouds all year round except for 7 days a year.
caution and good physical condition required!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.