Hike· St Lucia· Windward Islands
Morne Gimie Summit Hike
13° 51.8′ N · 61° 0.7′ W
The climb to St Lucia's highest point, 950 m (3,117 ft) Mount Gimie (Morne Gimie), through the Edmund Forest Reserve: a long, steep, muddy rainforest trek that rewards with cloud-forest summit views over the Pitons and both coasts on a clear morning.
Practical
Coordinate is the summit (Wikipedia/GeoHack 13°51'48"N 61°00'40"W; OpenStreetMap node 281163703, ele 950). Per the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority: trailhead in the Edmund Forest Reserve, reached via the Migny/Quilesse area near Soufrière; about 6–10 km round trip with roughly 600 m of ascent; 5–7 hours depending on pace and conditions (its Three Peaks page gives 4–6 hours); rated challenging, with steep trails, roots, rocks and muddy sections. A licensed local guide is strongly recommended, and forest-reserve permission comes from the Forestry Department (see the Enbas Saut entry). Start at first light: the summit often clouds over by late morning and trails stay wet after rain. Bring 2–3 litres of water per person, food and a rain layer. Taxi from Soufrière; leave the boat on an SMMA mooring.
Best for
Fit crews who want the island's high point
Season
Driest Dec–May; start early
Nearby
- Enbas Saut Waterfall Trail (Edmund Forest Reserve)1 NM away
- Toraille Waterfall1.6 NM away
- Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens2.3 NM away
- St Lucia Parrot (Jacquot) in the Quilesse and Edmund Forests2.4 NM away
- Sulphur Springs (Soufrière volcano)2.5 NM away
- Des Cartiers Rainforest Trail (Quilesse Forest Reserve)2.6 NM away
- Soufrière Laundry and Cooking Gas (Cool Breeze)2.6 NM away
- Morne Coubaril Estate2.8 NM away