Hike· St Lucia· Windward Islands
Des Cartiers Rainforest Trail (Quilesse Forest Reserve)
13° 50.2′ N · 60° 58.6′ W · approximate
A marked loop through montane rainforest in the Quilesse Forest Reserve inland from Micoud, with a steady climb under thick canopy and one of the island's best-known spots for the endemic St Lucia parrot and other forest birds.
Practical
Position is the eastern end of the trail as mapped in OpenStreetMap (way 675198410, about 2.5 km long as drawn and flagged 'needs resurvey'), taken as the likely trailhead side nearest the reserve (approx); the Quilesse Forest Reserve is at about 13°50'41"N 60°58'28"W (Wikipedia, Micoud Quarter). The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority describes it as a marked loop through montane rainforest with steady elevation and a strong presence of endemic bird species, and lists Des Cartier among the key birdwatching sites. Forest reserves require permission from the Forestry Department (see the Enbas Saut entry); go with a guide or a Forestry ranger and confirm opening and fees locally. Access is by road only, best from Vieux Fort or Soufrière by taxi or tour; the east coast has no yacht anchorage, so plan it as a land day from Rodney Bay, Marigot or Soufrière. Go early morning for parrots; expect mud and rain.
Best for
Parrot-spotting and a quiet rainforest loop
Season
Year-round; driest Dec–May
Nearby
- St Lucia Parrot (Jacquot) in the Quilesse and Edmund Forests0.5 NM away
- Enbas Saut Waterfall Trail (Edmund Forest Reserve)2 NM away
- Morne Gimie Summit Hike2.6 NM away
- Toraille Waterfall3.7 NM away
- Sulphur Springs (Soufrière volcano)4.1 NM away
- Boucan by Hotel Chocolat (Soufrière)4.3 NM away
- Northeast Trade Winds and Winter Swell (St Lucia)4.3 NM away
- St Lucia Hurricane Season4.3 NM away