The Pitons

The Pitons are two steep volcanic plugs that erupt from the Caribbean Sea like twin towers of ancient stone, Gros Piton reaching 798 metres and Petit Piton 750 metres, their sheer faces falling directly into the water with almost no coastal plain between them. The scale is deceptive from shore; from a boat or the decks of a passing ferry the mass of them dominates the entire western coastline, and the realisation that these are walkable mountains, with trails threading up through rainforest to the summit, makes them one of the Caribbean's most compelling natural landmarks.

Gros Piton is the more accessible of the two and can be climbed in about four hours with a local guide, the trail ascending through banana plantations, then dense tropical forest, then elfin woodland near the summit where the vegetation becomes stunted and windswept. The views from the top command the entire island and on a clear day extend northward across the channel to Martinique. The climb is steep and demanding in places but does not require technical climbing skills, and the guiding system operated by the local communities ensures that the income from tourism flows directly to residents who live at the mountain's base.

Petit Piton is harder and less frequently climbed, its summit accessible only to those with good fitness and some scrambling experience, but the cone is visible from everywhere in the Soufrière area and forms the backdrop to the famous drive-in volcano at Sulphur Springs. The two peaks together create a dramatic container for the town of Soufrière and its bay, and the contrast between the built environment of the small Caribbean town and the raw volcanic cones behind it is one of the most photographed scenes in the Eastern Caribbean.

The marine ecosystem at the base of the Pitons is rich and protected, with several dive sites accessible from the Soufrière shore offering coral gardens, gorgonians and the chance to encounter sea turtles and spotted eagle rays. The water clarity is excellent and the underwater visibility often exceeds thirty metres, making this one of the premier dive destinations in the Windward Islands.

The surrounding landscape is also noteworthy for its secondary rainforest, which harbours five of Saint Lucia's endemic bird species including the Saint Lucia parrot and the Saint Lucia pewee. The lower slopes are cultivated with bananas, coconuts and cocoa, and the historic plantation houses and processing buildings that dot the area give a sense of the agricultural history that shaped this landscape long before tourism arrived.

The Pitons were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, recognising both their outstanding natural value and the traditional land management practices of the communities that have lived in and around them for centuries. The designation brought increased protection and international visibility, and the site remains one of the strongest arguments for Saint Lucia's claim to be among the most naturally beautiful islands in the Caribbean.

The most dramatic volcanic landscape in the Caribbean, with two peaks rising directly from the sea.

Gros Piton is climbable in a day with a local guide, rewarding hikers with panoramic island views.

UNESCO World Heritage designation recognises both natural and cultural landscape value.

Rich marine ecosystem at the base with excellent diving and snorkelling.