The tour operator Cool Vibes Taxi and Tours in St Lucia didn’t arrive at 8am and even after repeated attempts on WhatsApp never responded on their eta. Viator ended up refunding us but the level of unprofessionalism from Cool Vibes is surprising.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Private transportation
- Local Piton Beer, Island Signature Beer
- Entrance fee
- Hotel Pick-up & Dropoff
- 1,5 Littre per person
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Ports Pick up and Drop Off
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
If coming from the north island we gonna be passing through the city.
Where all vessels are stored in times of bad weather. (Hurricane Hole).
Go through small fishing village.
Smallest village on the island and also a fishing village.
The Bread Basket Of St. Lucia
Nature & Wildlife Walk through a tropical landscape filled with exotic plants, fruit trees, and vibrant birdlife. Panoramic Views As you ascend, you’ll enjoy incredible lookout points over Soufrière, the Caribbean Sea, and Petit Piton. The Summit – Reaching the top is an accomplishment in itself! From here, take in 360° panoramic views of Saint Lucia’s coastline, surrounding villages, and even the island of St. Vincent on a clear day. Cultural Insights – Along the way, guides often share stories of the island’s history, local traditions, and the significance of the Pitons to Saint Lucians. The hike typically takes 3–4 hours round trip and is considered moderately challenging. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or simply looking to cross this world-famous climb off your bucket list, the Gros Piton Hike promises memories that last a lifetime. After your descent, you’ll have the option to relax with a refreshing drink, take in the surrounding scenery.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
I booked this several months in advance and it was going to be a highlight of our trip. Cool Vibes Taxi and Tours texted 15 mins before our scheduled pickup time of 7am with concerns about the weather. He said according to his tour guide at Gros Piton, it had rained and was slippery. We agreed to wait an hour to see if things dried up a bit. After going back and forth for 2+ hours, Cool Vibes told us that the tour guide said there were no tours running today due to wet conditions. I decided to call Gros Piton Park directly to verify this info, and the park operator said tours had been running all morning and that conditions were great due to not getting hardly any rain. DO NOT take the chance on this tour. (We did thankfully find a local cab driver to take us anyway and we still got to do the hike, which is 100% worth it, fyi!)
Wish I could give 0 stars but I can’t. This company is charging for the RIDE THERE AND BACK ONLY. Even thought the site says it will cover admissions for the hike it will not. The hike is a great experience though with very beautiful views it gets hard but its definitely worth it. Just do not use this site to book because you will be scammed!
Our trip to Piton was absolutely fabulous! Cameron was an excellent tour guide and highly recommended for any medium to advanced hikers. One can do Piton as a beginner, but you'll need some extra water to make it to the top. The views are beautiful and well worth the hike. 5.0!
Driver very courteous. Drove me to hike spot. Set me up with a guide to climb. Simone hiking guide was very nice and knowledgeable. Got me to the top safely and back. Excellent experience
Our tour to the botanical garden was just lovely. The guide was very knowledgeable and the ride was comfortable. It was a perfect, relaxing afternoon. I would definitly recommend them.
Definitely pay for trekking poles! If you’re short (think 5 feet) this will be mostly knees to neck steps, having yourself up with your arms, so be ready! Unfortunately there is poor communication with the local operator. I’d recommend getting a taxi and just paying for the hike. Do not expect water or anything to be provided ad described. My driver filled in last minute and was amazing though!
It is a very difficult climb and decent. Only four miles out/back but technical - lots of big rocks/boulders and rather steep. But totally worth it!
The transportation service to and from Gros Piton was well catered for. The pickup was timely and efficient. The driver explained where to meet after the hike and waited patiently. The vehicle felt great after a long climb. We also visited nearby attractions (we were not rushed). The drive was safe even on some of the narrow roads. Communication before arrival helped us plan timing properly. This service let us focus on enjoying the hike and the scenery around Soufriere.
The “climb” up the Piton is a fantastic experience and well worth the 50USD entry fee and guide. Don’t forget to tip them. I would say that the taxi fare is extortionately overpriced, this is why I have rated it low.
We went for the Gros Piton hike and also saw some nearby attractions. I appreciated that our pickup was on-time and the driver handled it in an organized manner. He explained where we would meet and where to wait. The vehicle was also very clean and comfortable and great after every hike. There was clear cut communication throughout the whole trip which made things simple to plan out. Because of that things also ran smoothly and on schedule. It was a reliable option for going around the island.
We booked private taxi service for our hike to Gros Piton and later to the mud baths. On-time early pick-up, without any rush, though. We were glad to receive helpful tips regarding our hike, water breaks, as well as the eateries close by. Our visit to Sulphur Springs and the waterfall stop was memorable. We felt secure during our drive through Soufriere, even on some of those narrow roads. It was easy to plan right from the start. This is the type of service we look forward to using again in the future.
The service is via Cool Vibes taxi and intends to provide excellent transfer to/from the entry point to Gros Piton climbing (hiking guide and park entry fees are paid separately ($50USD per person) at the park). I had anticipated that it would include narration of the local sites, to and from the hike site, water for our hike, and prompt transport with the same driver, after reading the service description before booking. Alas, it was not a great experience for us. We were sent a replacement driver, Brent(?), who picked us up at 5am at the hotel in his private vehicle because he said our CoolVibes driver, Kevin, was running late and would meet us halfway. Brent was very nice, and the vehicle very new and comfortable- but Brent was seemingly doing the pickup as a favor for Kevin? We transferred and Kevin mentioned enroute that he did not have water for us, but would stop to get some. He also mentioned that the park didn't open for hikes until 7am- so we had an extra 30-45 min to kill. He asked if we had had breakfast, and we hadn't, so we were grateful for the stop in Soufriere to visit a roadside vendor who had breakfast sandwiches and coffee/juice available at that early hour (630am). I offered to pay for the breakfast for Kevin and he politely declined. So we had 3 breakfast sandwiches and 3 drinks. I asked Kevin about the water to be provided and he said the most guests brought their own, but could get us some along the way. It was part of the pickup/drop off service package, so I was grateful he was amenable.. Kevin found somewhere in Soufriere to get a single big bottle of water, but still needed 2 more so we would each have one- and all the markets were still closed. He said he would get 2 more at the park for us. We carried on and got to the park in good fashion, by 7am. As he dropped us off, I reminded Kevin that he had promised to get the 2 additional waters and he said "OH yes!" and went to get them. Once equipped, we set off on our hike-- 715am--- and were back at the bottom, ready for departure by 1215pm. For some reason, Kevin seemed reluctant to leave and kept asking me what the plan was. And I said, "I think the plan is to go now" and he seemed in no hurry to leave. Now, I believe he was actually coordinating with someone, Shakil, to meet up with us along the return journey, so that Shakil could take us all the way back to our hotel "in a much larger, more comfortable vehicle." Kevin's vehicle was very new and comfortable, so this transfer was not necessary for us and significantly added to the time (and worry!) for us, as you will read. Kevin mentioned on the way to the drop off point, which turned out to only be about 10 minutes down the road, that he suddenly had to go off to the airport to pick up another passenger instead of taking us back to our hotel. He didn't want to leave that person stranded, so he was helping them out. But he reassured us that the new driver, Shakil, was his best driver, and would take good care of us and had a much larger vehicle. This is where things got VERY stressful. We switched vehicles at the drop off, 5-10 min into our return journey to Rodney Bay.... although I had already tipped Kevin for taking us back to our hotel itself $25 USD, and paid him $40 USD for paying for our breakfast in ECD at the street vendor. After transferring to the other vehicle, Shakil pulled over just 2-3 minutes into that journey, because his front left tire was making a terrible sound, and the van was giving all sorts of warning bells. It turned out the tire had been replaced that morning, and whomever put it back on, had not tightened all of the nuts and the tire was half way off the axle by the time we stopped-- which was VERY alarming. The driver tightened it by hand with a lug nut tightener. and Kevin came back to supervise. And although I expressed concern, Kevin reassured us that Shakil's van was now completely fine and that we should continue on our way. He also said he would call me on WhatsApp, because he could see from the look on my face that I was quite worried. And we were off again, although a few minutes into the journey, the back right side began making a grinding sound that was alarming. As the journey went on, it got more pronounced, especially when the vehicle accelerated. Alf and I wanted to stop and see if it was a tire again-- or the bearings? It sounded like it needed to be urgently addressed and driving around Saint Lucia is not for the faint of heart ---even in a vehicle that is quite well maintained. The driver did not stop and said he knew exactly what the sound was and it was not the tire. To drive for the remainder of the journey, with that sound, was very disconcerting and felt unsafe. We did not talk at all. I felt I had no options at that point to demand that we stop and get a new ride provided. The engine seemed to have little power going up hills, and we had to go very slowly. I had thought we would be back to our hotel in 1.5 hours after we reached the parking lot at Gros Piton, when our grueling hike was over. But, sadly, it was almost 3 hours--- 310pm before we got to our hotel. I felt really bad for Shakil and knew that he likely needed some extra money to get his van fixed, so I tipped him $30USD. Kevin never called to check in with me that night on WhatsApp, or emailed. In the end, I was left feeling like I had overpaid ($300 USD plus $55 USD in tips and $40 USD for breakfast repayment) for the service provided. I did not get a smooth, stress free experience getting to and from what was a very memorable and lovely hike. I believe that for the price we paid, we should have been met with waters on hand, had the same driver all the way through, and we would have gotten back to our hotel much earlier and with less fear. Very disappointed.
We took the kids to the Diamond Botanical Garden. They loved the colorful flowers and the old mill. The waterfall at the end was really cool. A perfect family outing and a nice break from the sun.
The hike itself was very rewarding but challenging. I would say it’s more of a rock climb than a hike. We were somewhat prepared. Main thing is to have enough water and good walking shoes. The mandatory guide was disappointing. She was not supportive or encouraging and left us at half way point which was fine, she wasn’t feeling well. However, she didn’t want to go back down without us, because she thought it would look bad. At the end of the hike we stopped to have popsicles and a drink. We sat down for a few minutes and she got mad at us because she wasn’t friends with the ladies working there, who were super nice. We got into an argument with her because we were tired at this point after 5.5 hours of hiking in total. The guides don’t seem knowledgeable about the area or trail, more information and encouragement would have been way better. We climbed on our own which was more than fine. Don’t see the purpose of having a guide. Some of them are older and I think doing this hike 3-4x a week is a hard job. Considering this is a UNESCO heritage site, having better guides who can provide information about the area and flora and fauna and also encouragement during the hike would be valuable. The views at the very top were ok….i preferred the views along the way and at halfway point of the Petit Piton. It was quite rewarding to sit at Sugar Beach the next day and enjoy the view of the Gros Piton, knowing we had climbed it the day before. Not an easy feat and most locals have not even done it. Good luck, you can do it:)
Cool Vibes Shuttle stood us up at the resort stating we didn't respond to emails and didn't specify which resort to be picked up from even though it was clearly defined in the initial purchase package. The phone number provided was not operable as myself and the resort tried several times We were left stranded with no alternatives but to stay in our rooms for a day A waste...Viator is excellent, Cool Vibes St. Lucia, a huge disappointment with zero accountability.
If you’re reading these reviews please DO NOT book this taxi. You will be stood up. We were supposed to be picked up at 8am and our driver never showed up and we couldn’t even get in contact with them. By the time we booked a taxi through our resort (at 9:45 after waiting over an hour and a half) the driver finally showed up… Tried to say he was trying to get into contact with us but he definitely did not. Hopefully we can get a refund….
This hike was not as hard as most reviews made it seem. When we first read the reviews, we (32 female, 33 male) were a bit scared of how hard it would be. As a couple who works out 4-5 times a week, it was challenging but would classify it as an intermediate hike. We come from the Rocky Mountains so used to a bit more challenging hikes. The cost was quite a bit for what it was. $50USD each plus a tip for the guide at the end. The roads to get there were very windy and a long trip from where we were staying in Rodney Bay (about 2 1/2 hours) when we left at 5:30 am. I would recommend going earlier in the day to avoid the heat.
I’m 69 yo, in okay shape but definitely drink & smoke more than I hike. Gros Piton is a steep climb but the 20-30 somethings look like mountain goats scooting up and down. I worried about whether it would be manageable — and fun! — for an older guy. It was! The key to a great up $ back was to get the right guide (required and comes with the entry fee) and to go slow. Strongly recommend Margo, who was kind, accommodating, carried extra water for me. We stopped when I was winded, she wisely encouraged me to rent a pole, and kept a hard climb from ever feeling like a hardship. Go early, get Margo, you’ll never look at the St. Lucia flag the same way again.
We hiked Gros Piton on day 4 of our trip. We wanted to hike both pitons so started with the harder Petit Piton on day 1 of our trip. We drove ourselves to the Pitons. There was a detour so it took us much longer to get there than anticipated. After parking, you pay and receive a guide. It is $50 US per person and the guide is mandatory. Our guide was Kevin. We have heard from others that the guide can make you feel rushed and like you have to keep up with group pace. Because it was just my husband and I, we did not experience this. Kevin let us set the pace and was available to answer questions we had about the island in general when we asked. After you pay you go to the welcome center where they show a model of Gros Piton and offer you trekking poles for $5 and electrolyte additives for your water. You also sign a waiver. They do have bathrooms at this point as well to use prior to getting started. The trail is broken into 4 sections and is approximately 2 miles each way. The first section is quite easy (for us, we are very fit) with minimal scrambling. At the first lookout, a man is selling water, Piton beer, and coconuts. this is the only lookout where these will be available for purchase. The next half mile starts to get more challenging with steeper inclines. The halfway point has a beautiful lookout to Petit Piton. Many people turn around after this point due to the challenging nature of the trail and the beauty of this lookout. The second half starts to get more into the jungle, which means it is a bit muddier and the rocks can be a little slipperier so solid footing is important. There are a few scramble areas, but nothing too crazy. The last 1/4 is more of a scramble and is quite in the jungle. i likened it to being in Jurassic park! After this steeper part you will get to the top. The lookout gives a panoramic view of one side of the island. There are plenty of flat rocks to sit down and have a snack or drink water. Your guide will be more than happy to take photos of you as well. Ours did not rush us at all. At the top we noticed 2 children approximately 8 and 10 years old showing that it is possible for kids to complete it, but I encourage you to ensure they practice safety and are physically fit. They estimate about 2-3 hours up. we got up in 2 hours and down in 1, but again, we were prepared for the intensity of the trail. While the descent is much easier, you still need to ensure caution as areas can be steep and slick. Let your guide know if you need assistance or a break. Once you get down to the bottom you can purchase refreshments, snacks, or homemade ice cream. the homemade ice cream was amazing! You get 2 scoops and I chose sour sop and passion fruit. Sour sop was good but passion fruit was AMAZING! It’s a nice way to cool off and end your trek. We tipped our guide at the end because we appreciated that he let us do our own thing without dictating how to do things. My takeaways - we did Petit Piton first, which was far more difficult in every aspect. The views on petit are nearly 360 vs half the island. We also saw maybe 3 other people on the trail of Petit. Gros Piton is definitely difficult in its own way. The average person should feel very accomplished to complete it and should ensure a decent base level of fitness before starting. Because of the tour groups that frequent Gros Piton and the fact it is government sanctioned, Gros piton was far more busy, so you will be sharing the trail going up and down as well as at the top with several other people. The views are still stunning. If we didn’t do Petit Piton, I probably would have said this was 5 stars, but, the achievement of Petit jaded me a little bit to the touristy nature of Gros. BUT - I still highly encourage thrill seekers to check it out. Also to note, the bottom of Gros Piton is actually a small community where the workers and their families reside. Seeing this alone was pretty neat!
The driver did not show up, as scheduled. We we were unable to get a response from the driver or the company until 45 minutes after the scheduled meet. As this was the last day of our trip, we missed out on doing this activity. 😢
This was only for a taxi ride that you can get anywhere in town for half the price. Once you get to the Piton’s, then you pay a required $50 per person for the entrance fee.
Taxi did not show up onn the scheduled day, no communications and response from the company until we made numerous calls (no apologize), then after rescheduled for different day, taxi arrived 10 minutes late to pick us up (and again no any communication), then on the way back from Piton we were waiting for their taxi one hour after our hike (again no apologize at all), therefore we got extra heavy traffic and it took us 2 and half hour to get back to the north of the St Lucia. Absolutely disappointing experience with this company.
Bad communication, didn’t reach out to tell anyone the hike was cancelled due to bad conditions. Had to go through Viator to get the contact info only to be told we weren’t going while I was waiting at my pickup point
What stood out about Kevin was his attention to detail. He recommended the most delicious local snacks and timed everything to avoid crowds. From waterfalls to mud baths, every moment was memorable. Can’t wait to book him again!
Tour company lied and ditched us and stole our money and hasn't refunded it yet. Zero support despite trying for hours.
Not gonna lie, Kevin was the highlight of our trip! He took us to the mud baths, a scenic waterfall, and even helped us shop locally. His local insights made everything better. Roads were a bit bumpy, but his driving skills made us feel totally safe.
Kevin knew so much about the island! From the Sulphur Springs to the botanical gardens, he shared fascinating stories. You won’t believe this—he even found us the perfect spot for sunset photos. To sum it up, this was a tour worth every penny!
Tour agency tried to change the timing of our tour less than 12 hours before! We did not realise this till the morning of the hike as we did not have signal the night before and slept late. They then cancelled the tour and I’m yet to see the refund. You’re better off hiring a taxi and using the local guide at the pitons
We did this independently we hired a jeep and drove from Soufriere once there guide was assigned to you go early we went for a 6.30 start, Jason our guide was very quiet but did his job tipped him accordingly… This hike is Not for the weak hikers very challenging from start to finish but so worth it, take plenty of water the heat can be too much all in all a fab hike as we’re keen hikers
This is not a tour for the hike. This is just a taxi transfer to the base of the mountain where you need to pay for the actual hike. For my experience, the taxi driver showed up 35 minutes late to pick me up to start the hike (I was the only guest) and then showed up 30 minutes after the agreed upon time when I was done with the hike. The hike is awesome by the way, but that is not part of this tour package
The hike is definitely one to do if you are an adventure enthusiast. Our guide, Keevin, was very patient and kind on the trail. The views are stunning, but it's the journey that makes the trek worthwhile. Once you reach the summit, you conquer! Absolutely a must!
Breathtaking view at the peak. It took us 4hrs because we are certified hikers.Worth the climb but would recommend a warm water bath like the mudbath after.
We enjoy hiking. We hiked Machu Picchu at 14,700 feet over four days so I consider us to be in good shape. This hike is no joke. It’s not a “nature trail” as some posts/advertisements call it. You are constantly climbing boulders x 2 hours. You need good shoes. No exceptions. Rent the hiking pole if you have bad knees. Bring Gatorade/electrolyte replacement. Water is not enough. Pack some trail snacks like trail mix or fruit. If you get car sick be prepared for the drive to pitons (depending on where you stay). We had a 2 hour bus ride. So I was car sick when we started hiking which wasn’t a great start. Do early morning hike; start before 9 am. It gets hot fast! We started at 9 & hike down was HOT & almost more challenging going down than up due to large boulders/rocks. Despite all this, would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY! I would just prepare for a hike not a “nature trail.” ;) Gave it 4 stars only because the advertisement should refer to it as a nature trail. The excursion itself was great!
We booked very last minute and had Kevin as our driver. He was happy to accommodate our trip to Gros Piton all the way from Rodney Bay at short notice, was punctual & with excellent communication. (We had to postpone the hike by 1 day due to wet weather overnight as advised so make sure you factor in some contingency time). As we were staying so far north, we made a very early start (5.30am) which is recommended to beat the heat. Kevin was great and made sure we were ok throughout the long journey and pointed out various points of interest along the way, with opportunities to stop for breakfast and lunch. He also provided the bottled water for our hike. Our tour guide, Kurlin, was organised for us and was there ready for when we arrived. I would recommend Kevin, especially if you are in the Soufrière area as that is where he’s based! We communicated over WhatsApp which worked perfectly well & he’s definitely the man about town & knew everyone it seemed! Wish you all the best Kevin and thanks for a smooth journey! Brittany & Sam
We were on a ship in Castries and were able to go on this hike to the summit and return with time to spare before the ship departed. Our driver Miguel was fantastic, he was there on time to pick us up and got us over to Gros Piton while telling us lots of interesting facts about the island and making stops for photos. He then waited 4 and a half hours for us to do the hike. The hike itself was challenging with a lot of rock scrambling, our legs were hurting for a few days afterwards! It was very rewarding to get to the top, felt like a real achievement.
I hemmed & hawed about whether or not I wanted to do this hike but decided I really wanted to & was glad we did. We arrived about 10am, were assigned a guide, which I highly recommend. Our guide was great as he showed us the best way to manage our energy for the climb (it took us 2 hours up with breaks). It’s very steep most of the way up, so regular breaks help to stave off fatigue. There are lots of steps & some navigating over rocks, but nothing too crazy. Our guide was most helpful on the way down as he showed us the best ways to place our feet, and where to place our hands in some of the trickier spots - not that’s it terribly tricky, but the rocks & roots can be slippery, especially closer to the top. There are also hand rails in many areas which assist greatly. The hike was definitely challenging, but not terrible. We were soaked in sweat for sure, but I really enjoyed the nature & the experience. I don’t recommend getting a walking stick as it actually slows you down, especially on the descent. And a good guide explains the best way to navigate down safely. Definitely bring a litter of water & a light snack. I loved the hike so much, I wanted to hike Petit Piton next, but we were leaving the island & didn’t have time. Next time I will hike Petit Piton as well. Our guide was an older gentleman named, Stanley. You can call him at 758-718-0775 but don’t use WhatsApp - he has an old phone. Actually call him! We will call him if we make it back to hike Petit Piton. It was cloudy at the top when we got there, so we didn’t get the views, but I knew that was likely going in, so I wasn’t surprised & I still felt proud of myself for doing the hike.
The guide on Gros Piton was great. The transportation from the ship to Gros Piton was very poor. The driver, who said he was also the owner of the “cool vibes taxi and tours” said he sent a driver to pick us up but couldn’t find us. We were at the agreed pick up point 30 minutes prior to be picked up and waited for nearly an hour. We were trying to communicate with him but cell service was very sketchy. We had to have a nearby taxi driver to call him and he was waiting in a nearby parking lot and never came out to look for us. He drove us to the destination and dropped us off and turned us over to the hiking guide. The hiking guide was fabulous. We returned from our hike early and the same driver was notified we were finishing early when we turned around. After our hike, we waited more than an hour before we were picked up. On the way back to our ship he said he was going to return our fee for the excursion which we knew he couldn’t, and we just had to pay him $100 cash. We immediately refused. We feel this guy is a scammer trying to extract more money from travelers in a very dishonest manner.
We really enjoyed riding with Kevin. He was friendly and likeable. On the way he gave us lots of info on the area and made us feel comfortable. We would book again with these guys.
FYI. This is just a transfer to the trailhead. No water or beer was offered to us. The Gros Piton park is a government run park and the trail guides live in the community at the base of the hike. Your purchase of a hike and guide through any online channel is false advertising. The only place to pay for entry to the hike and your required guide is at the park entrance. This activity just drops you off at the entrance to pay your entrance fee separately and meet their assigned guide.
Great hike and beautiful views along the way and at the top! Trail very will maintained. Got to walk through a local community. Our driver Kevin was very nice and timely. Our hiking guide was nice and helpful. We wanted to change the date we went on the hike less than 24hour prior to our tour and Viator and the local tour company were helpful and accommodating.
Our driver Kevin and our hiking guide Catia MADE the experience. The strenuous and rugged nature of the hike cannot be underestimated but Catia was attentive and allowed us to set our pace. Only one of the three of us made it to the top, but the halfway point was still worth with hike.
This is a scam. Do not book. Book through your hotel. I booked for my fiancés birthday before we arrived in st Lucia. I told the company where we were staying and what time we’d like to be picked up for the hike (6AM). At 6AM, there was no taxi to pick us up. Our hotel called the gros piton tour guides to come pick us up (these tour guides told us there’s no way to book online!!!!!!!!). We ended up paying twice because this company is a scam. Do not book through them. Book when you get to st Lucia through your hotel. There are countless tour guides at the gros piton and they are so wonderful, have your hotel call them to book your experience (going directly is cheaper too!).
Taxi arrived promptly and taxi driver Kevin was great. Journey from the north to base of Gros Piton was approximately 1.75 hours. A large bottle of water was included in the price and believe me it was needed for the climb along with extra we took along and some snacks. We did have to wait 30 mins for our taxi at the end which was a little disappointing but a bottle of Piton ( local beer & also included in price) went down well 😁
My experience with this tour company was extremely disappointing. The promise of a personal tour guide for a hiking trail became a solitary and potentially unsafe excursion. The guide provided minimal assistance, remaining consistently distant and unengaged. Upon reaching a crucial halfway point where other groups gathered, the guide’s attention shifted elsewhere, engaging with colleagues or on their phone rather than offering guidance or information about the trail. Their lack of encouragement and disinterest in our progress were evident when they suggested turning back, seemingly indifferent to whether we completed the hike or not. As we ascended, the guide consistently lagged behind or moved far ahead, failing to provide any guidance or support. At various viewpoints, they remained disengaged, often sitting in the shade without pointing out points of interest. Safety was a major concern as the guide was frequently absent during the descent. This absence posed a risk, leaving me to navigate the trail alone without any support or assistance. The company’s response to my concerns was dismissive, acknowledging previous feedback but displaying a complete lack of intent to rectify the issue. I strongly advise against booking with this company. Their disregard for safety, lack of guidance, and indifference towards customer concerns are unacceptable. It’s clear that they prioritize neither the safety nor the satisfaction of their clients.
This was a tough hike but worth it once getting half way and seeing the beautiful view. We made it to the top but I would argue that the view at the half way point is more scenic than at the top. It’s advisable to arrive before 9am as it gets hotter as you climb. Kevin who was our driver was great and picked us up on time and shared information about the Island and the Pitons. I would say you have to be very fit to make it to the top and I would recommend bringing at least 2L of water per person.
The views along the hike were breathtaking … and the hike itself was breathtaking too. Two hours to the summit, a large chunk of which is vertical rocks or steps. It was strenuous, but the feeling of making it to the top was beyond rewarding. The trail guides were friendly, easygoing and motivational (I really needed the help to keep going). Our driver, Kevin, was also very friendly and easygoing. Overall if you are fit, excited for a challenge, and don’t get motion-sick very easily (the roads to the Pitons are filled with hairpin turns), this experience is well worth it.
The title of the activity you're signing up to is misleading. It says Gros Piton hike but when you pay with TripAdvisor, you're actually only paying the transportation to get there. The title of this page should be "Transportation to Gros Piton" because that's the only thing (except for the water and the beer) you get when paying on TripAdvisor. And I didn't even receive my free beer... Really disappointing.
It was great experience. Guide was Excellent and fun. View is amazing and your team made it possible.
Bring lots of water and be ready to sweat. It’s at least an hour drive from the cruise port so make sure you factor that time in. It’s two hours up on the mountain and two hours down. When you get to the top, go to both looks outs. The open side and the side where you see petit peton. It’s not extreme because you don’t need gear but it’s a heavy moderate hike.
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