French Islandshotels & tours About
FREN

Guided hikes · Martinique

Climbing Mount Pelée with a guide

Photo: Thérèse Gaigé, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

The volcano that destroyed Saint-Pierre in 1902 — 1,397 m

At a glance

Theme
Guided hikes
Duration
4–5 h
Season
Drier February — May; start at dawn
Start
The north-west and Saint-Pierre

The classic route starts from the Aileron car park: a steep climb up steps to the rim of the caldera and, if you wish, a loop around it to the summit of Le Chinois. The guide tells the story of the 1902 disaster and the endemic plants of the slopes.

The summit clears rarely and briefly — usually early in the morning. The trail is slippery and the wind strong: hiking boots and a waterproof are essential.

Where to book

GetYourGuidesearch for this tour GetYourGuideall tours: Martinique

We describe a type of tour, not a specific offer. Prices, schedules and availability are on the booking platforms. Duration and season are a rough guide.

Departure point on the map

Purple dot: departure area (approximate); orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.

Where to stay near the start

All places to stay in the area →

Things to see nearby

Mount Pelée via l'Aileron Hike Mount Pelée via l'Aileron A climb up the volcano that destroyed Saint-Pierre≈ 2.9 kmGorges de la Falaise Hike Gorges de la Falaise A walk up a riverbed through a narrow gorge to a waterfall≈ 3.2 kmThe ruins of Saint-Pierre History The ruins of Saint-Pierre The town destroyed by the eruption of 1902≈ 7.4 kmAnse Couleuvre Beach Anse Couleuvre A wild black-sand beach at the end of the road in the north-west≈ 10 km

Other tours in Martinique

All tours →
Dolphins off the Caribbean coast Whales, dolphins, turtles Dolphins off the Caribbean coastA morning boat trip along the north-west coast 3–4 hAll yearThe white shallows and Joséphine's Bath Sea and lagoon The white shallows and Joséphine's BathThe islets of Le François and Le Robert, and a swim on a sandbank out at sea Half a day to a full dayAll yearThe rum route: estates and distilleries Rum, wine, vanilla The rum route: estates and distilleriesThe only rum in the world with an AOC appellation Half a day to a full dayAll year; production February — JuneSnorkelling with turtles at Les Anses-d'Arlet Whales, dolphins, turtles Snorkelling with turtles at Les Anses-d'ArletGreen turtles graze on seagrass right off the shore 2–3 hAll year, best in the morningCatamaran along the Caribbean coast Sea and lagoon Catamaran along the Caribbean coastA day under sail: Diamond Rock, the Arlet coves, lunch on board A full dayDecember — MaySaint-Pierre: the town beneath the volcano History and towns Saint-Pierre: the town beneath the volcanoThe ruins of the “Paris of the Antilles”, Cyparis's prison cell and the disaster memorial Half a dayAll year