Hike to the Soufrière crater of Saint-Vincent via the Chemin sous le vent. This volcano rises to over 1,100 metres above sea level and is the highest point on the island and in the country of Saint-Vincent. This explosive volcano is still active. Its last eruption was in 2021. Information panels about the 2021 eruption and nature are dotted along the hike.
Departure from the tarmac road leaving from Châteaubelair.
(S/E) Continue along the coast.
(1) Cross the river and follow the path along the beach: be careful of the waves.
(2) Turn right to go up the bed of the second river.
(3) Follow the path on the left (pink ribbon) to get onto the trail.
(4) Gradually climb up a ridge to reach the summit.
(5) Return via the same route in reverse to get back to the starting point (S/E).
Departure from Chateaubelair: the trail only begins at the end of the road near the beaches. The road is in excellent condition.
This path combines: a quiet tarmac road, river beds with volcanic debris (rubble), beaches (beware of the swell), a climb up a dry riverbed, a path through lush tropical vegetation on a ridge, and a barren, almost lunar landscape as you approach the summit, with lower temperatures, gusty winds, clouds, fog and rain.
Possibility of hiring a local guide.
Weather:
There are two seasons in the West Indies: dry (December-June) and rainy (June-November), with cyclones. Check the models on Windy, for example: Arôme Antilles is better.
Do not undertake this hike on a rainy day or the day after bad weather (mud). This can cause a river's flow to increase dramatically: the first river on the route is not dry.
Swell: bear this factor in mind. The swell was strong on the day we did the hike. We had to run to avoid the big waves breaking far out on the beach.
Timetable: set off no later than 6 a.m. (if starting from Chateaubelair). The climb up the second river bed took place around 8 a.m. and we reached the summit at around 10.20 a.m.
Water: take at least 2 litres per person
Footwear: wear good shoes, go barefoot when crossing the first river and walking along the beach to the second riverbed.
Bring protection in case of rain and cold weather.
Sun: wear very comfortable trousers as the vegetation changes a lot
Animals: cows and bulls roaming free on part of the route. Stray dogs
Follow the path: be sure to take the path on the left marked with a pink ribbon to take the uphill trail. There are a few benches in good condition and well located under the trees.
Following the last eruption, you can still see the marks left by this episode: dead trees, absence of nature on the last section before reaching the summit, new and old craters, visible fumaroles, smell of rotten eggs.
View of the Leeward Coast along the climb and at the summit.
View of ancient and more recent lahars.
The last crater of La Soufrière: fumaroles, lakes. The old crater of the volcano in the background.
The crater tour was not done during this hike. The path seems narrow anyway.
Hello,
I haven't done this hike, but I'm discovering it as a new hike on offer.
I'm very surprised by the altitude information provided.
How can the starting point be at -41 m when we are at the seaside, which should normally be at 0 m?
How can there be a positive elevation gain and a negative elevation loss of 1,937 metres when the route is linear from 0 to 893 metres?
My question is reinforced by the timing given of 6 hours. That would give a speed of 650 m/h, which seems a lot to me, especially on difficult terrain... Even if the summary mentions 9 hours and 35 minutes...
Is there an error in the guidebook or have I missed something?
Kind regards,
Machine-translated
Circular route around Spring Park 
Visorando Member 
4.57 mi
+856 ft
-830 ft
2h 50
Moderate
Summit of Ma Peggy from Port Elizabeth Visorando Member 
5.66 mi
+997 ft
-984 ft
3h 30
Moderate
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