MORNE LE BLANC, LABORIE, ST. LUCIA

MORNE LE BLANC, LABORIE, ST. LUCIA



LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, AVERAGE from 1-5:2


DESCRIPTION:

Morne Le Blanc is a hill/small mountain that overlooks Laborie Village and the southern portion of the island. The views on a clear day are fantastic. The hike is on the road, but it is fairly steep the entire way.




Coming from Vieux Fort, go past the first Laborie gap, staying on the main highway, and it will be the only main road on the right going straight up the hill. However, a Laborie bus will stop at the first gap and then go down into the village, so you will have to get out and walk to the gap going up the hill. About 10 minutes to the gap and another 45 minutes to reach the top.

At the top, there is a wooden platform that gets you above the tree line for a better view. Great place for a picnic lunch or a view of the sunset.




Cell phone coverage is good.
Take plenty of water.
Getting down in the dark might be difficult, as there are no lights on the road.

PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
-ALWAYS travel with at least one partner, preferably two.

TESTIMONIALS:




AARON DOLL, EC76
This is an easy afternoon hike.  The walk was a bit steep, but the view from the top is well worth it.  EchoLab, an environmental group in Laborie, always holds its Earth Day events on top of Morne Le Blanc.  Although it is a public place, the grounds are often empty of patrons.  Take your lunch and a bottle of wine, a good looking lady friend and enjoy the view.

CANARIES WATERFALL, CANARIES, ST. LUCIA

CANARIES WATERFALL,
CANARIES, ST. LUCIA

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, AVERAGE from 1 to 5: 2




DESCRIPTION:
Nestled in the Grand Bois Reserve about three miles east of the village of Canaries,
the Canaries Waterfall is easily accessible by both car and foot. The road leading
through the rainforest to the falls is paved and well maintained. Plenty of shade is
provided throughout the hike and lush fauna drape over the roadway. Small plantations
line the hillsides, where you’ll see local farmers picking grapefruits, mangos
and digging up dasheen. If you’re lucky, a wave and kind word just might land you
a backpack full of grapefruits from one of the farmers. Reaching the falls takes anywhere



from 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Upon reaching the end of the road you’ll see a river to your left with a yellow metal
foot bridge. This takes you to the other side and private land. Buses often shuttle
tourists through, charging upwards of $5US. Locals pay $5EC, but it can often
times be avoided. The waterfall itself is about a 15 minute hike that leads along the
river side. Walking down the river provides some great ripples, swimming pools
and fishing spots. Try your luck at snagging a big one with some cane poles and
string.




To the right is another waterfall that is visible after hopping over a few boulders and
turning the corner. Water cascades from above into a beautiful swimming pool.
Further up are three other waterfalls, but can only be reached by pulling yourself up
a rope found on the side off the rocks. It’s a bit tough and a spotter is recommended.
There isn’t much of a trail since these falls are so inaccessible, but follow
the sound of the roaring waters and you can’t miss it.
PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
-ALWAYS hike with at least one partner, preferably two.
TESTIMONIALS:
AARON DOLL, EC76
A steady pace is key for this hike. The hike and waterfall are beautiful. The
road going down is a bit steep, so wear shoes with good traction. A good
walking still is beneficial.


LEO KLEJNOT, EC76
One of my favorite activities in St. Lucia. Totally chill. I caught a massive
fish. Had to be at least 5 ounces. Great eating later that evening.

SALTIBUS WATERFALL, CHOISUEL, ST. LUCIA

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, AVERAGE of 1 to 5: 2

DESCRIPTION:

The Saltibus Waterfall hike is located in the hill top community of Saltibus, Choiseul. It is a series of waterfalls, four in total with an average height of 25 feet and the largest around 40. If you walk from central Saltibus it takes about 20 minutes to get to the trail. From this trail you must hike through a beautiful forest for about 30-40 minutes. The walk is easy if the trail is dry, it is not recommended to do this hike shortly after a heavy rain. The trail will be dangerous and the water muddy. At the end of the trail there is a short section where it is very steep and you must climb down to get to the waterfall.



Wear Chaco’s or other suitable hiking shoes. Take the public bus to the top of Saltibus, then turn left and walk along the road until it turns into a trail. Stay straight and you can’t miss the massive waterfalls. All the locals can tell you how to get there. Be careful on the rocks as they are very wet and slippery. Bring insect repellant as there are mosquitoes. The water is very cold because it comes from the ground so be prepared!



PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
-ALWAYS hike with at least one partner, preferably two.

TESTIMONIALS:

TAMERON EATON, EC76
This is a beautiful and relatively easy hike to four big waterfalls. If it has rained recently the water really flows. One of the best waterfalls I have
seen in St. Lucia and it’s free, so what’s better than that?




AARON DOLL, EC76
Beautiful hike with fruit trees along the way, so you can “borrow” some grapefruits. The switchbacks are a pain if it has rained. We hiked the trail when it was a sloppy mess. Not fun, but a great reward. There are some amazing trees along the way. Also, if you take the bus from Vieux Fort and pay the bus driver a little extra, he will take you a lot closer to the trail head. It is a great free hike and you get to see a quaint rural village along the way.

TORAILLE WATERFALL, SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, AVERAGE FROM 1 TO 5:1

DESCRIPTION:

Cold waterfall near rainforest in Soufriere area. Beautiful, well kept botanical gardens. Main tourist stop on cruise day trip. Price– 5 EC.



Great place to take your friends and family. I recommend spending 15-20 minutes.
Getting there: Either walk inland from Soufriere Town toward Fond St. Jaques about 30 minutes. Or take Fond St. Jaques bus next to Church in Soufriere– takes about 3-5 minutes.




Bus fee: $1.00 EC. Toraille

PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
- Easy trail– does not need any special procedure.
-ALWAYS hike with at least one partner, preferably two.

TESTIMONIALS:

MEGAN HAWKS, EC 75
I have been to Toraille many times. It’s a great place to take visitors.
Especially visitors who want an EASY WAY TO SEE BEAUTIFUL
St. Lucia! The water under the waterfall is extremely forceful– I wouldn’t recommend trying to get a massage. It may push you under water. It also is very cold– but nice to soak your feet on a hot day. There is a little bar there for drinks as well. There are many little waterfall spots in this area– this could be one stop for the day.

SPIKE WATERFALL, SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, 1 to 5:1

DESCRIPTION:

Cold waterfall near rainforest in Soufriere area. Not as touristy as Toraille.
Price– 5 EC.

Great Place to take a snack or lunch. It’s pretty quiet and only a few minutes off the main road. There are 3 waterfalls with separate trails. Recommended time– 20 minutes just to see. Or spend longer to “Enjoy.”
Getting there: Take Fond St. Jaques bus next to Church in Soufriere– takes about 8-10 minutes. Just ask driver to drop you at Spike Waterfall. There is a little house and paying booth at the road.
Bus fee: apx. $2.00 EC



PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
- Easy trail– does not need any special procedure.
-ALWAYS hike with at least one partner, preferably two.

TESTIMONIALS:




MEGAN HAWKS, EC 75
This was a waterfall that I had heard about but never visited. So, one day a friend of mine drove me there. We just had a short visit– but I think it would be a great place to have lunch. The waterfall is not big and robust– but it is very tall and water trickles down the rocks. You can climb around a bit. This could be included in a day of sites in Soufriere.

NEW JERUSALEM MINERAL BATHS, SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, 1 to 5:1

DESCRIPTION:

Just a short bus ride from Soufrière Town towards Fond St. Jacques, New Jerusalem Warm Baths will be a welcomed retreat for sore muscles and a tired psyche. If you decide to walk from town to the entrance of New Jerusalem, it will be about a 30 minute walk. There is absolutely no level of difficulty to this hidden treasure, aside from a short ten-minute walk from the main road entryway back to the baths.



The baths are locally owned and managed. There are two warm baths that are equipped with seating areas and three different temperatures of water flowing from bamboo faucets from above. The pressure creates a nice warm body massage on achy muscles. This is not a crowded, nor a touristy location, so you will enjoy relative privacy and solitude.

A picnic lunch, some water, and a camera are recommended. The baths can accommodate up to 15 people comfortably. There are no time limits on your stay in the baths. There is a changing area (rustic) available to patrons and a sheltered area to leave clothes and bags. The overseer is a nice gentleman from town; his Uncle owns the property.




Public bus transport costs $1.25 EC one-way and entry to the baths is $5.00 EC.

PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
-The trail to the baths is not well marked, so stay attentive.

-ALWAYS hike with at least one partner, preferably two.

TESTIMONIALS:

MEGAN HAWKS, EC 75
This could be part of your Soufriere Day excursion. The walk down to the mineral baths is quiet and peaceful with the sound of the river and wind in the trees. You cross part of the river by stone stepping and walking over a foot bridge. You pay a gentle man who doesn’t speak at all but
understands what you say. He adds to the experience. New Jerusalem is better in the morning or later afternoon as the water is warm.




NINA DESANTO, EC 77
If you are seeking serenity for yourself or if you want to take your out of town guests, New Jerusalem fits the bill. It is a convenient place for people to get to without exerting much energy. A great spot for those who want to appreciate nature, but who don’t want to hike through the rainforest or scale rocks to get to a tucked away waterfall.

DIAMOND FALLS, SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA

Level of Difficulty, 1 to 5: 1

DESCRIPTION:

The privately-owned Diamond Falls and Mineral Baths, less than a mile east of Soufriere, are part of the Soufriere Estate dating from 1713. The Baths, originally built in 1784, were restored by Mrs. Joan Devaux in the 1980s, with some of the original 18th century baths still in use. At the entrance, a narrow path edged with tropical flowers and shaded by stately palms leads to the bathhouse and a series of pools, each a different temperature. Beyond are the falls roaring out of a mineral-streaked gorge and spilling through the gardens into the pools.

COST: $22.50EC
Getting there: Walk inland from Church on road to Fond St. Jaques for 5 min. Then, turn left toward Diamond– well marked signs! The road to the gardens is pretty as well.
As reads on the Diamond Botanical Gardens entrance sign:

The sulphur springs from which the town of Soufriere got its name, are a weak spot in the crust of an enormous collapsed crater, the result of volcanic upheaval of gigantic proportions that took place some 410,000 years ago.
Similar hot springs feed the mineral baths on the Diamond Estate built originally in 1784 for the troops of King Louis XVI of France so that they could benefit from the therapeutic waters.
It is claimed that the Empress Josephine bathed in the original baths
In 1983 on the death of Mr. Andre du Boulay the former owner, his daughter Joan Devaux designed, restored, and planted these Gardens that you can enjoy today.




PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
-ALWAYS hike with at least one partner, preferably two.



TESTIMONIALS:

MEGAN HAWKS, EC 75
Worth the visit– but, I wouldn’t recommend bathing as you would be on display to all who pass by. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. You can go off on a trail that goes on for who knows how long– it looks safe and easy, but I haven’t ever trekked it. Should be part of your Soufriere excursion!

SULPHUR SPRINGS, SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, 1 to 5: 1

DESCRIPTION:

From a mile away you can smell the wonderful scent of rotten eggs and onions, or the hydrogen sulfide emitted from the open volcano. La Soufriere remains active today, which in the event of a major eruption St. Lucia would be decimated instantly. The last minor eruption was in the late 1700s. The volcano itself is some 8 miles in diameter, including all of Soufriere. Guides take you to viewing platforms that overlook parts of the crater, including seven acres of bubbling sulphur-water pools. Visitors were allowed to walk around the crater ten years ago, but after a guide fell through a fissure no one has been allowed across. He survived but opted to work as a fisherman. Many still live near the craters.



To get to the springs you can take a bus to/from Soufriere and stop at the signpost, which is about a mile from Soufriere. It is a casual walk, too. At the park guests pay EC$12.50 to enter, which includes paying the guides. Anyone can take a hot dip in the sulphur pools, one of which is before the park entrance and another is just inside (open only to paying guests). The gray sulphur-water is bubbling hot, so visit early or late so you can withstand the heat. Supposedly you can add 10 years of life by bathing in the sulphur, so wipe that mud all over and take a comfortable soak




PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
-ALWAYS travel with at least one partner, preferably two.

TESTIMONIALS:

JENNIFER LESHNOWER, EC77, April 22, 2008
The best time to go to Sulphur Springs is in the early morning before all the visitors arrive. I would highly recommend going on the tour with a guide. They are great folks and offer information you can't read about. Also, don't miss the interpretation center, even though it is not visible from the base of the Volcanic Park.




SAM SHOPINSKI, EC77, March 14, 2008
Lots of tourists visit and with good reason. Many Lucians spend holiday mornings and evenings here, especially in the free pool. The park is very well kept and the water feels wonderful. A must for all volunteers

PETIT PITON NATURAL SPINGS, SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, 1 to 5: 2

DESCRIPTION:

Just north of the trail head to Petit Piton and below the gated entrance to Jalousie Plantation, Petit Piton Natural Springs is a mixture of cold river water and hot sulfur springs. A perfect ending after the Petit Piton hike, these waters are great for sore tired muscles, aches and pains; all of which you’ll be guaranteed to have after descending Petit.



There are two ways in which you can get to the Natural Springs and base of Petit Piton. You can walk along Soufriere’s waterfront south on Baron’s Drive, then along a dirt road that follows the coastline. When you reach the retirement home that rests to your right, turn left over a very small bridge and then immediate right up a steep hill. There are signs marking the direction to the waterfall, and if all else fails, just look up at the Piton and make your way towards it. Look for Martha’s Tables Restaurant to your left as you draw near.
A second route is to follow the main road that leads out of Soufriere, exiting at the sign leading to Jalousie Plantation. This road eventually meets up with the first route. Your best option if traveling from the south.
Entrance Fee: $7.50 EC




PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
-ALWAYS hike with at least one partner, preferably two.

TESTIMONIALS:

MEGAN HAWKS, EC 75
I love Petit Piton Waterfall! It’s great after it closes with friends because it is private and cooler outside temp for the warm water. Of course I wouldn’t know what it is like at 3am because that would be a safety risk. You could also go to Jalousie Beach before– it’s beautiful right between the Pitons! Try Martha’s Tables, a great local restaurant nearby. Should be part of your Soufriere Excursion!




NICHOLAS KLINGER, EC 76
For those hiking Petit Piton, this is an absolute must!! There is no better way to end your hike than a relaxing soak in these natural springs. Just a 2- minute walk from the base of the Piton trail. Be sure and soak in the pool just to your left as you enter for some really warm waters. Don’t forget to carry cash with you on your hike so that you can pay the entrance fee!

PETIT PITON, SOUFRIERE, ST. LUCIA

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY, 1 to 5: 5

DESCRIPTION:

At 2,461 feet above sea level, Petit Piton is the shortest but most difficult of the two pitons, taking anywhere from 1 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours each way. The unmarked trailhead is about a 30 minute walk from Soufriere’s pier. Follow the road from Soufriere that leads south along the water towards the piton. The beginning of the trail is to the right of the road apx. 100 yards before the entrance to the Natural Springs (look for a small pasture and shanty to the right of the road. There is a trail that leads along a chain fence at the back of the field. At the beginning of this trail is an area of the fence that is pinned to the ground with a large rock. This is the beginning of your journey). Be cautious along the trail as there are several times where you can find yourself off the trail if you’re not careful.




The trail is very, very steep. Hand holds in the rocks and tree roots will often assist in pulling yourself up. Be adived that there are some very tricky rope sections about 3/4th of the way to the top. Use extreme caution and know your limits. Having a spotter is very important on this difficult stretch. Unlike Gros Piton, there are no official trail guides, but plenty of locals who will be glad to take you to the top if the price is right.

There are no water sources along the trail so take plenty. The trail is well covered keeping you out of direct sunlight until reaching the top. Cell phone coverage throughout the hike.

PEACE CORPS PROCEDURE:
-Call your APCD to inform them of your hike, and again upon returning safely to the bottom.

-ALWAYS hike with at least one partner, preferably two.

TESTIMONIALS:

NICHOLAS KLINGER, EC76, December 31, 2006/ January 1, 2007
An extremely excruciating yet very entertaining and rewarding hike. A spectacular view from the top makes it all worth it. Camping at the top is possible, but be prepared for high winds and wet and chilly evenings.



LEO KLEJNOT, EC76, December 31, 2006/ January 1, 2007
I found myself on multiple occasions asking “What on earth have I gotten myself into??” This might account for the 40 lb. pack I had on my back or realizing that I’d left my sleeping bag at home and had no shelter for the night. Very entertaining and a MUST for any St. Lucian PCV!!