Gros Piton Hike with Dannyboy & Co.
Description
It's only a 4-mile walk up and down the tree-covered symbol of Saint Lucia- that is, up a winding trail that climbs the steep, rain forest-covered slopes of a 2,619 foot volcanic mountain. Periodically, the trees give way to breathtaking vistas of the emerald-green island and the too-blue waters of the Caribbean. Guides are mandatory, but full of knowledge. The caves once used as shelters by freedom fighters of the Brigand war, brightly colored tropical birds and lush vegetation that includes giant gommiers (used to make canoes), the smaller swizzlestick tree ( used to make swizzle sticks) and "peeling tourists" - trees with flaky brown bark that looks painfully familiar to anyone who's fallen asleep on the beach without sunblock.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up all guests from their Cruise ship or Hotel
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that your driver for the day is not the same person who will hike with you. The Piton hike is conducted by certified guides assigned by the hiking foundation for safety reasons.
- Drivers will wait only 15 -30 mins after pickup time before leaving and you considered a No Show. No Refund.
- Guests staying in Soufrière or the South who have their own vehicle should not book this option, as transportation is included in the price.
- *For bookings involving two or more groups on the same day, whether from the same hotel or different locations, the service may or may not be shared. If you finish before the other party and prefer not to wait, transportation will be provided to take you back to your hotel.
- **Cruise Ship Passengers*** Please note that due to time limitations. You MAY or MAY NOT be able to reach the summit of the Piton. We do not want you to feel disappointed in not being able to. We try our best to get everyone back to the ship in a timely manner.
Reviews(225)
Dannyboy was an excellent guide for our excursion! He picked us up exactly when and where we expected, and he brought great enthusiasm and energy to our early morning drive. Along the drive, he taught us everything he knows about St. Lucia's history, landmarks, and anything else we had questions about. During the drive back, he continued to entertain any questions we had while also respecting that we were tired and wanted a nap on the way back! Regarding the excursion itself, the hike was definitely challenging, even for us as experienced hikers. The humidity and the steep incline of the climb made for a tough but beautiful hike. The admission fee is a bit expensive, but it is certainly worth it to hike once while in St. Lucia. The crowds were heavier near the bottom, then thinned out the higher you climbed as some people turned around before the top. Overall it is a great hike, you can expect it to take about 4-5 hours if not more. Make sure to have water and some sunscreen!
Our driver was very knowledgeable and personable. He stopped along the way for some photos and picked us some mangoes.
This was a great hike up one of the Pitons. Warning: please be in better shape than I was, only made it halfway up! This is not a normal trail path, but a rock climb! But even at halfway, the view is spectacular! The full climb takes about 4-5 hours...but it varies depending on speed and your ability to keep up with the guides, who are great assistants! Walking sticks are provided and definitely needed for your first go!
We booked Dannyboy for the hike on Day 1 then his local tour day 2 and would strongly recommend it for anyone going to St. Lucia! Resorts will shuttle you back and forth but we wanted a private experience and our expectations were exceeded to say the least. Dannyboy drives you to the base of the piton and waits while you hike with a local guide there. You will need a credit card and/or cash for admittance into the park and optional tip for the guide and this cost isn’t included in your trip. Make sure you bring lots of water (1.5L each person) and whatever snacks you may need. The hike was challenging but fun and took us about 4 hours with awesome views the whole way. When we finally made it down, Dannyboy had 2 cold piton beers and waters with the AC cranking and ready to take us back. We felt bad being so tired coming back but he was incredibly accommodating and we can’t imagine doing this experience without him.
This was a very challenging but rewarding hike to do with my family. It took us exactly 4 hours total to complete the entire hike and was so much fun. Our guide gave us tips on how to climb down which was helpful because climbing down can be tricky. The driver was also extremely nice and got us there and back safely!
Absolutely not for first time hikers, this is very tough and involves climbing both up and down all sorts of sizes of boulders. Positives are it’s a great sense of accomplishment once you get to the top and the view is beautiful.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We really appreciate your honest feedback! You’re absolutely right, this hike can be quite challenging, especially for first-time hikers, as it involves navigating uneven terrain and climbing over boulders. We always aim to give our guests a clear idea of what to expect, and your comment helps highlight just how adventurous it can be. We’re really glad to hear that despite the difficulty, you felt that incredible sense of accomplishment at the top and were able to enjoy the beautiful views, that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding! Thanks again for choosing to hike with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another experience, maybe something a bit more relaxed next time :)
Danny boy was amazing and he did a great job at making our experience memorable! Also our tour guide was great!
Dannyboy was amazing! Dannyboy’s knowledge, humour and attention to client details made our experience a wonderful one to remember (even though it rained most of the day….. lol)
Danny was awesome! Nothing but Good Vibes Only! Would recommend to anyone and everyone! Danny made the whole day perfect!
Saw Dannyboy & Co. on YouTube video re Gros Pitan tour and was shocked to see him in person to pick us up. Dannyboy is one of a kind: informative, entertaining and efficient [PH.D. in Pot-Hole Dodger as he boasts]. Make sure you ask for him!!
