La Soufrière

La Soufrière, affectionately called la vieille dame, the Old Lady, is the brooding active volcano that crowns the island of Basse-Terre and, at nearly 1,500 metres, is the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles. Rising within the lush Guadeloupe National Park, its slopes are cloaked in dense, dripping rainforest, and its often cloud-wreathed summit is a raw, steaming world of sulphurous fumaroles and bare volcanic rock. A dramatic and rewarding hiking trail climbs through the jungle and up the volcano's flanks to the summit crater, offering, on a clear day, sweeping views over the island and sea, and always a vivid, atmospheric encounter with a living volcano.

The landscape

• The summit hike - the dramatic climb through rainforest to the crater.
• The fumaroles - the steaming, sulphurous vents at the summit.
• The rainforest - the lush jungle of the national park.
• The hot springs and waterfalls - the volcanic springs on the slopes.

When to go

December to April, the drier season, for the best hiking conditions, though the summit is very often shrouded in cloud, mist and rain whatever the season, so an early start on a clear morning gives the best chance of views; the volcano is active and monitored, so check its status. The lush lower slopes and hot springs reward a visit even when the summit is clouded.

What to expect

The hike to the summit is a strenuous, muddy and steep climb, often through rain, wind and cloud that frequently hide the views, so it requires reasonable fitness, wet-weather gear and realistic expectations of the weather; the volcano is active, so access can be restricted.

Nearby

The rainforest, the Carbet Falls and the town of Basse-Terre are within reach.

Key facts