Journey to St. Lucia
SOUFRIERE
Leaving the forest,the road descends into Soufriere, St. Lucia`s first capital, a town filled with natural and historic sites. Most imposing are the towering twin peaks of the PITONS, which thrust up from the water to heights of over half a mile. While the peaks appear to be next to each other, one rises from Soufriere, the other from the neighbouring village of Choiseul. You can climb them with guides.
By Soufriere, from the volcano, called small Piton, is running out a hot water spring. They call it Pitons hot mineral waterfalls: your users know a little more about you.
Not far from the Pitons are the Sulfur Springs, a seven-acre crater billed as the Caribbean´s only drive-in volcano. A walk through the crater takes you past pools and hot springs bubbling and belching, with sulphur-laden steam. Just outside the Springs, you can bathe in the warm sulphuric river, reputed for its healing effects.
The Pitons and the Sulphur springs are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated for its geological importance. This part of St. Lucia tells the story of thecreation of the entire Caribbean basin.
Nearby are the Diamond Botanical Gardens Waterfall and Mineral baths. Originally built in 1785 with funds from King Louis XVI, the baths were intended to restore the health of battle weary soldiers fighting the insurgents in the Haitian war of independence. The baths have been rebuilt, and for a small fee, you may visit the waterfall and gardens and enjoy a steaming, helthful bath.
MARIGOT BAY
Heading south,you wind downhill into the Cul de Sac Valley with its endless banana plantations. The turn-off for Marigot Bay,one of the most secure anchorages in the Caribbean, is along this road. Marigot is a resort and yacht charter centre.
After Marigot Bay, the road runs through the Roseau banana fields, and climbs into lush hills. Inland is the small community of Millet, the location of the Circle River Trail, one of the Heritage Tourism Programme`s attractions. The highlight of this trail is the Venus River which winds through Millet,all the way down to the Roseau Valley. This is an easy trek and includes an exeptional,freshwater bathing area. Back on the main road, in a southerly direction, the villages of ANSE La RAYE and CANARIES are situated in coves at the foot of steep hills. South of Canaries is the Anse La Liberte Camping and Heritage site. This 133 acre property is managed by the St. Lucia National Trust. Six miles of hiking trails have been created at Anse La Liberte and there is also a small secluded beach. The road twists and climbs through fringes of rainforest: visits to the forest are best done with the company of a guide.
VIEUX FORT
The road continues on through the villages or Choiseul and Laborie before descending into Vieux Fort on the southern-most part of the island. At the extreme tip of St. Lucia is Moule-A-Chique peninsula with lighthouse at its extremity.
The cliffs are home to numerous sea birds and the heights offer views of the coasts of St. Lucia, and St Vincent and Grenadines.
Off the Atlantic shore of Vieux Fort is Maria Islands Nature reserve. The reserve is home to the indigenous St Lucia Racer (kouwes), a small, nocturnal snake, and a ground lizard - the St. Lucia Whiptail (zanndoli te). Many birds nest here and the reserve is closed during the reproduction season. The reef-protected Anse de Sable Bay also offers one of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing location in the Eastern Caribbean.THE
FromIVieux Fort,the road meanders north along St. Lucia`s spectacular EASTERN COASTLINE, where the Atlantic Ocean vents itself on rocky cliffs. The 33-mile drive back to Castries takes you through the villages of Micoud and Dennery and across the Barre de L`Isle mountainrange.
Just north of Micoud, on the road to Mahaut, are the La Tille Waterfalls, situated in an organic garden. Mahaut is the beginning of two of the Forestry Department´s hiking trails. The long rainforest hike runs from Mahaut across the breathe of the island´s forest reserve to
FOND De JAQUES in Soufriere and the circular Descartiers trail, a four-mile meander through natural rainforest with spectacular lookout points. There is lots to see including the St. Lucia Parrot..
PRASLIN
PIGEON ISLAND
North of Castries lies Pigeon Island National Park. This 44 acre site was once an island accessible only by sea. The causeway, joining Pigeon Island to the mainland was built in the 1970´s. Grasslands, dry tropical forest and beaches are the geological interests of the park. It was once a British garrison used to observe the french activities in neighbouring Martinique. There are forts placed on the two summits of the island. In 1550 it was the hideout of a notorious French privateer, Jambe de Bois. Today Pigeon Island is the centre stage venue for the annual St. Lucia Jass Festival.
An interpretation centre tells the story of Pigeon Island. There are two restaurants on the island and acouple of quiet beaches. There is an entry fee to get into the park.
North of Pigeon Point is CAP ESTATE , an old 1,500 acre sugar cane plantation. It is now dotted with some of the finest homes in St. Lucia, including several rental villas. Cap Estate is also home to an 18-hole golf course.
Praslin, a community south of Dennery, is home to Mamiku Gardens, a 12 acre botanical garden that was once a plantation. It is the site of a battle between the British forces and revolutionary Maroons in 1797.
Between Micoud and Dennery, just off the coast, lie the Fregate Islands, another nature reserve. The small islands are the nesting spots of the frigate bird.
After Dennery, the road runs west into the central mountains but before climbing hills, it passes through the Mabouya Valley and the Fond D´ or Nature Reserve & Historical park. The latter is a Heritage Tourism site. The ruins of a sugar plantation can be visited. An Amerindian site is found within the Park, wich also includes a campsite.
At the summit of the Barre de L´Isle is another Forestry department hiking trail. The hike takes three hours and offers views of Mount Gimie, the tallest peak in St. Lucia, the Bexon Valley and the Fond DÓr Valley on the Atlantic Coast. There are stands of pine, blue mahoe and mahogany.