Mount Gimie

Mount Gimie rises to nine hundred and fifty metres in the centre of Saint Lucia, which makes it the highest point on the island and considerably higher than either Piton, though almost nobody climbs it; it was built by volcanic activity some 200,000 to 300,000 years ago. The route goes from Fond St Jacques through the Edmund reserve and then up a steep, wet, root-tangled ridge into elfin forest at the top, taking most of a day. The summit is often in cloud, and when it is not the view runs the length of the island. Because so few people go, the trail is faint in places and a forestry guide is not optional but necessary.

Highlights

• The summit - the island's highest point, at 950 metres.
• The elfin forest - stunted moss-hung trees near the top.
• The ridge climb - steep, wet and tangled with roots.
• The solitude - almost nobody climbs it.

When to go

December to April is the drier season, which matters on a route that is muddy at the best of times. Start at first light; it takes most of a day. A guide from Fond St Jacques is essential and must be arranged in advance.

Before you go

The trail is faint, steep and very muddy, and it is not maintained to the standard of the Piton routes; a guide is genuinely necessary rather than a formality. Cloud sits on the summit most days and the view is a matter of luck. There is no rescue capability. It is a harder day than Gros Piton.

Nearby

The Edmund reserve is on the same route; Soufrière is below.

Key facts