Hiking - La Soufrière from l'Echelle
Discover La Soufrière through some winding trails. This circular trail beholds a thousand secrets in the fields of geology and botany.
Hiking trail colour: yellow
Starting from the parking area of Bains Jaunes, take the "Pas du Roy" paved path. Leave the intersection for la Chute du Galion on the right and keep going uphill until Savane à Mulets. Go back up to the old parking area and keep right on the small, concrete road. Keep "Col de l'Echelle" on your left and follow the road towards la Citerne. Then take the steep trail to the left, following the signs to "Sommet de l'Echelle". Go uphill and past the top of l'Echelle. Come back down towards the bunker (formerly a geophysical shelter) and la Roche Fendue. The trail then heads off to the right. Pass le Col de l'Echelle and then take a left, leaving the path to Chutes du Carbet on the right. Turn left towards the top of La Soufrière, going round it at the base. Arriving north, leave the Carmichaël trail that heads towards the ridge and turn left. At the Grande Faille intersection, turn left again: the climb then gets quite steep. Once you have reached the top, go around the plateau of La Soufrière from the right, walking the shelter of the Mountaineering Club, the top of "La Découverte" and the chasms. Then head back towards la Grande Faille, keep going straight until la Savane à Mulets and return via the Pas du Roy trail. For a nice, relaxing break, head for the hot water springs back near the parking area.
As Guadeloupe is prone to natural risks, extra care should be taken in this natural environment. For the benefit of all hikers, responsible behaviour is very important.
Beware of sulphurous gas emissions, which are highly toxic: do not cross the protective barriers. In the event of bad weather at the summit plateau of La Soufrière, such as rain or fog, follow the yellow stakes in the ground carefully.
Please note : the parking and swimming areas are not supervised.
Make sure you adhere to any rules issued by the Regional Health Agency concerning hot baths.