St. Lucia
St. Lucia
A mountainous volcanic island about 40 km long, with its harbour capital Castries in the north-west and the two Pitons rising straight out of the sea beside the old French town of Soufrière in the south-west. One road loops the whole coast, down the Caribbean side through fishing villages and back up the windward Atlantic side, and the best of the island sits a short climb above it: old forts on the Morne, a guided summit on Gros Piton, and a steaming crater you can drive into.
5 challenges · 21 stops
STARTERFrom the Jetty to Diamond Falls
≈ 2,500 steps1.2 mi · about 2 hoursStarter · 3 stops · 500 credStart where you live.Three stops on foot in Soufrière, about two hours: the town jetty under Petit Piton, the church on the old French square, then a 1.2 km walk inland to the waterfall in the Diamond gardens, which charge an entry fee. The gardens close by 4 pm, earlier on Sundays, so start in the morning.
STANDARDGros Islet to Signal Peak
≈ 4,000 steps2.0 mi · about 4 hoursStandard · 4 stops · 600 credOne trip earns it.Half a day at the north end: the parish church in Gros Islet, then along the causeway into Pigeon Island National Landmark, where one entry fee covers the interpretation centre, the fort and the island's summit. Last entry is 4:15 pm; wear shoes that grip, as both climbs end on steep rock.
STANDARDMarket Square to the Morne
≈ 4,500 steps2.1 mi · about 4 hoursStandard · 4 stops · 600 credOne trip earns it.Four stops over half a day in and above Castries: the central market and the poet's square downtown, then up the Morne by taxi or a steep 3 km walk to two free fortifications that look down on the harbour. The Morne sites are open 9 to 5 with no fee; go to the market on a Saturday morning.
STANDARDUp Among the Pitons
≈ 3,000 steps + 7.6 mi by car1.4 mi on foot · about 6.5 hours · + the walk in to 1 stopStandard · 4 stops · 600 credOne trip earns it.A long half day on the slopes south of Soufrière, by car between stops: the short paid trail at Tet Paul, Gros Piton with a guide from the village at its foot, and the steaming crater at Sulphur Springs to finish. The Gros Piton climb alone takes three to four hours, so start by 7 am; every stop but the trailhead charges admission.
ADVANCEDRound the Island by Road
62 mi by cara full dayAdvanced · 6 stops · 800 credGetting there is not the hard part.Six stops in one long day with a car, clockwise from Castries: down the Caribbean coast through Anse La Raye, past Soufrière to Choiseul and the lighthouse on the southern cape, then up the Atlantic side through Micoud and Dennery and back over the mountains. Five hours of winding road at least; leave early and carry cash for the waterfall's fee.
Counted between stops; you'll walk more at each one.
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