Soufrière: a first-timer's guide to the Pitons and the south west

Why go

Almost everything people picture when they think of Saint Lucia is within a few kilometres of Soufrière: the twin peaks, a volcano you can drive into, warm mineral baths, waterfalls, cocoa plantations, black and golden sand bays and coral reefs. The town itself is a sleepy grid of wooden buildings around a church and a waterfront square, and was the island's capital under French rule.

The Pitons

**Gros Piton** and **Petit Piton** are volcanic plugs rising more than seven hundred metres from the sea. Gros Piton can be climbed with a local guide from the community of **Fond Gens Libres**, whose people descend from free Africans who settled here. The steep, rocky trail takes most fit walkers four to five hours up and down. Petit Piton is far steeper and is not recommended. For an easier view, the **Tet Paul Nature Trail** offers a short guided walk with a famous lookout between the two peaks.

Sulphur Springs and the volcano

**Sulphur Springs**, marketed as the drive in volcano, lets you see steaming vents and bubbling grey pools in the collapsed crater of the Qualibou volcano, then bathe in warm, mineral rich pools and coat yourself in mud. Wear an old swimsuit, as the sulphur smell lingers, and remove silver jewellery, which can tarnish.

Diamond Falls and gardens

**Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens** sit on a historic estate just outside town, with a waterfall stained in bright colours by minerals, tropical gardens and old mineral baths first built for French soldiers. Other nearby waterfalls include **Toraille Falls**, where you can stand under the cascade, and the **Enbas Saut** trail in the rainforest reserve inland.

Cocoa estates

Soufrière is the heart of Saint Lucia's cocoa country. **Fond Doux** and **Morne Coubaril** are historic plantations offering tours of the cocoa process, colonial buildings and Creole lunches. The **Rabot Estate**, run by Hotel Chocolat, offers tree to bar experiences and a restaurant with cocoa inspired dishes.

Beaches and the sea

**Anse Chastanet** and neighbouring **Anse Mamin**, just north of town, offer excellent snorkelling straight from the shore over a reef that is part of the protected marine area. **Sugar Beach**, also called Anse des Pitons, sits between the two peaks and is public, though reached through a resort. The **Soufrière Marine Management Area** protects the coast here, so diving and snorkelling are some of the best on the island. Visitors usually pay a small marine park fee.

Food

Eat at the estates, at hotel restaurants with Piton views, or at simple places in town serving fish, chicken and provisions. **Dasheene** at Ladera is famous for its view, and a Creole lunch at a cocoa estate is a highlight of many trips.

Getting there and around

From Hewanorra, the drive up the coast takes around forty five minutes to an hour. From Rodney Bay it is about two hours each way on a winding road with views, or around an hour by boat. Day trips by boat from the north are popular and avoid motion sickness on the road. In the area, use taxis or guides and agree rates in advance.

Staying safe

Soufrière is friendly, but you will meet unofficial guides offering help at sights and in town. Use registered guides at official sites, decline firmly if you do not need help, and keep valuables out of sight.

Where to stay

Soufrière has some of the most spectacular stays in the Caribbean, from open walled hillside suites facing the Pitons to estate cottages and small guest houses in town. Roads are steep and dark at night, so choose a place with a restaurant on site or easy taxi access.