Montagne Pelée
Montagne Pelée
4.5
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This mountain may look innocent, but don't be fooled: it's really a volcano, responsible for the destruction of the town of St. Pierre.
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david n
12 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Climbing to the summit of Mont Pelé becomes obligatory when you come to Martinique. So I started this hike from the Aileron parking lot around noon (no point in coming earlier because it’s cool and windy even if there’s sun). The first part lasts 1 hour with the appearance of poorly maintained stairs (the only part where you come across a lot of people because once you go up to the 1st refuge they all go back down) Then the serious things begin with the ascent to the Chinese. Extremely steep and dangerous with a hike that begins as a climber, the satisfaction of arriving at the top is priceless and the view remains magnificent (more chance of having a clear view in the afternoon). It took me 4.5 hours, taking my time, but I highly recommend this hike and I would say that you have missed your vacation without doing it.

Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LEALANA
Martinique1,110 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This hike at the beginning of August was a painful but enjoyable experience.
Painful because my body still hasn't recovered 100% because I'm still sore, but appreciable because this climb is definitely worth it. Unlike most hikers who undertake this hike, we started it near the village of Prêcheur from Grande Savanna and from the wing on the Morne Rouge side.
The path on this side is passable, but in certain places it deserves to be renovated, which seems to be the case soon because we met ONF agents during our climb who were bringing wood to redo the steps. .
During our ascent we were able to admire a magnificent panorama of Prêcheur and the bay of St Pierre because the weather was sunny and clear. But very quickly we were caught in a fog which followed us as far as the Chinois and throughout our descent, always on the Prêcheur side.
Descent which paradoxically turned out to be much more difficult than the climb because the rocks previously climbed in certain places turned out to be very slippery with the humidity of the fog.
Despite this, it is a hike to be done by people in good physical shape and is strictly not suitable for young children!
Painful because my body still hasn't recovered 100% because I'm still sore, but appreciable because this climb is definitely worth it. Unlike most hikers who undertake this hike, we started it near the village of Prêcheur from Grande Savanna and from the wing on the Morne Rouge side.
The path on this side is passable, but in certain places it deserves to be renovated, which seems to be the case soon because we met ONF agents during our climb who were bringing wood to redo the steps. .
During our ascent we were able to admire a magnificent panorama of Prêcheur and the bay of St Pierre because the weather was sunny and clear. But very quickly we were caught in a fog which followed us as far as the Chinois and throughout our descent, always on the Prêcheur side.
Descent which paradoxically turned out to be much more difficult than the climb because the rocks previously climbed in certain places turned out to be very slippery with the humidity of the fog.
Despite this, it is a hike to be done by people in good physical shape and is strictly not suitable for young children!

Written August 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Franck S
4 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Beautiful hike, you still have to be physically close.
Don't leave without water and something to eat.
The efforts made to go up and down are intense.
The view is magnificent and the vegetation impressive.
Leave early in the morning, especially if it’s hot.
A restaurant is available if ever.
Don't leave without water and something to eat.
The efforts made to go up and down are intense.
The view is magnificent and the vegetation impressive.
Leave early in the morning, especially if it’s hot.
A restaurant is available if ever.

Written February 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gillou34080
Montpellier, France191 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
Superb hiking, physical and sporty. Mist and fog block the view very, too often. Showers that make the descent a bit slippery. Starting around 8:00. Dense vegetation. Stop at the fin refuge very comforting!
Automatically translated
Written November 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Z
Hannover, Germany16 contributions
Jan 2020
I hiked up the Mount Pelee to the second refuge hut. There I stopped just because it was late afternoon already and the further path to the summit was in clouds. However, I very much enjoyed the climb and took a ton of pictures of the local flora and the spectacular views. I recommend this hike to everyone, average fitness level is sufficient.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose C
181 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Good road up to this iconic mountain. Was covered in cloud. River of water running down need welly boots or hiking boots. Restaurant good menu, ice creams,coffees and a few souvenirs. Toilets are outside very clean. Picnic area under cover
Written February 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelingmom74150
Boston, MA184 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
This hike, although quite steep in the beginning when coming from the Morne Rouge side, is well worth the effort. We went all the way to the top and around the caldera. The views in all directions were stunning. Although fairly hot at the base, elevation combined with occasional clouds kept us relatively cool up top. I hired a guide (french speaking) and loved learning about the mountain, the local flora and Martinique in general while hiking. We saw several families making their way through at least part of the hike at their own paces. Even if you don't get to the top, the views are still great. According to our guide, you have a better chance of clear skies if you start early, which was certainly good advice on the day we went. Clouds dominated by early afternoon, when we were coming down. Highly recommended if you enjoy hilly hiking.
Written March 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldTraveler9
California, MD529 contributions
Jan 2012 • Friends
An affordable collective taxi leaves from Fort de France for Morne Rouge at 8 A.M. every morning. The hike to the top of the volcano starts with a walk on a small paved road for 2 km from Morne Rouge to the trailhead. Keep your eyes peeled for views on both sides of the road, as well as behind you. Views of the Atlantic are on the right and a fabulous view of the Pitons du Carbet is behind you. You will also see wild banana trees and fields growing Scotch bonnet peppers. Although it is hot at sea level, as you walk toward the peak the temperature quickly drops to a pleasant coolness. Stop at the memorial to the 30,000 people who were killed by the volcano in 1902. A cafe near the trailhead has ice cream for your way back down. Take your camera!
Written February 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heaz K
College Park, MD23 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Ohhhhh mama, this volcano, though. Look, kids, I'm not much of a hiker/climber, but hiking this mountain was hard as (expletive) and I'm super proud that we did (most of) it. (We did have to stop short of the summit so we had enough life force to turn around and climb back down.) They said that this was the shortest route (4 hours roundtrip but it really took us a bit longer cause I'm slow, and the other routes were like 7-10 hours) and that this was the easiest route (we were lied to). I'm not even really sure who 'they' were that said this, but 'they' were convincing enough that we hiked/climbed/crawled up this active volcano for kicks.
For people who don't hike often (i.e. like me), some tips: Start in the morning, as early and with as little light as you dare and/or feel safe. Bring lots of water. And maybe a sandwich for halfway through your hike. Dress in layers that you're okay with taking off and tying/carrying, because you'll be cold when you drive up to the parking area, but you're gonna get warm fast. Be prepared to use all four limbs sometimes, and to not use stairs for four days afterwards. The mountain-y wooden-dirt-rock stair parts are the hardest part... until they aren't. Sometimes it's gonna be really difficult and slow-going and you're gonna be grumpy and grumbling about the smooth-ish rock face you're scrabbling precariously up at times. You'll probably have to pee outside. Some people bring their dogs up the hike, and the dogs are so super cute until you realize the dogs are better hikers than you. Then they're just showing off.
But most of all... the view when the clouds part is worth it tenfold. And you'll feel like a beast. (At least until tomorrow morning.)
For people who don't hike often (i.e. like me), some tips: Start in the morning, as early and with as little light as you dare and/or feel safe. Bring lots of water. And maybe a sandwich for halfway through your hike. Dress in layers that you're okay with taking off and tying/carrying, because you'll be cold when you drive up to the parking area, but you're gonna get warm fast. Be prepared to use all four limbs sometimes, and to not use stairs for four days afterwards. The mountain-y wooden-dirt-rock stair parts are the hardest part... until they aren't. Sometimes it's gonna be really difficult and slow-going and you're gonna be grumpy and grumbling about the smooth-ish rock face you're scrabbling precariously up at times. You'll probably have to pee outside. Some people bring their dogs up the hike, and the dogs are so super cute until you realize the dogs are better hikers than you. Then they're just showing off.
But most of all... the view when the clouds part is worth it tenfold. And you'll feel like a beast. (At least until tomorrow morning.)
Written January 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meri S
Fort-de-France, Martinique23 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
Mount Pélée is truly special. On a cloudless day you can see all the island. The vegetation on the top is peculiar and you can see many birds, tarantulas and mountain flowers. take at least 2 liters of water per person, if cloudy a light jacket and GOOD shoes. And better leave early! The hike up to the top (le Chinois) is haaard but worth the effort, if you want to go to the top and back from l'Aileron parking (Morne Rouge) it will take 4-5 hours.
Written December 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour je souhaite réaliser l’ascension Coté aileron et redescendre côté prêcheur /Saint-Pierre est-ce que cela vous semble faisable ?
Written January 18, 2021
Hoe steil is het pad naar boven? Moet je daadwerkelijk over rotsen klimmen of is er gewoon een pad dat je kunt lopen?
En hoeveel kost het om de vulkaan op te kunnen?
Alvast bedankt!
Written May 18, 2019
Sorry for the delay! The climb is not easy, but not super difficult either. Parts of the trail are paths and a few parts are climbing up and around rocks. You must have a certain level of fitness and good shoes to climb the volcano. It does not cost anything to get on the trail.
Written June 12, 2019
I'm going to Martinique in early March. What address did you put in your gps to get to the site of the trail? Thank you so much!
Written February 18, 2019
I downloaded google maps to my phone so that service would not be an issue. Worked great for the entire vacation. Star the places you need ahead of time and screen shot their info. Put this address in to get you to the parking area for the aileron route
Restaurant Le Refuge De L'aileron
D39, Saint-Pierre, Martinique
Written March 11, 2019
Which trail did you use and how early in the day did you get started?
Thanks,
Bob
Written January 25, 2019
Sorry for the delay. Depending on your fitness, it will take you anywhere between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours. It’s not a race, and if you have nice weather it’s gorgeous. The trail is not for everyone. You need good shoes and some measure of fitness. It’s steep in parts. You might need your arms for some parts.
There’s one main trail that has a preliminary stopping point. It’s enough to do that. But if you’re feeling good, there’s a second part of the trail that goes for another hour or so. I would say that second part is for very fit hiker types. If you’re going to do the extended hike, round trip is minimum over three hours so start early.
Written February 19, 2019
HI ,
I would like to hire at guide for Mount Pelee for THURSDAY 23 November 2017 arriving on the Prinsedam at 8AM and leaving 5 PM. David Brown
Written November 13, 2017
Hi newim2004
I have done this hike back in June, the path is very well marked up you really don't need a guide for this hike. I started the hike at L'Aileron station when we got to the top we went all the way around the caldera and when we got to the 3rd refuge we went to the highest point of Martinique (Le Chinois).
I hope this helps.
Written November 15, 2017
Hi
I visiting Martinique next month on a cruise and Im thinking of hiking up Montagne Pelee,
what is the best way to get from the cruise terminal?
Thanks Lisa
Written February 11, 2017
I didn't go the hire guide route - so can't answer to that....that may be the easiest (though likely quite expensive). Don't get a taxi - you're charged European rates so that would be very expensive as it's an hour's drive each way from F-D-F to the trails.
What I would do (if feasible) is rent a car - you can do the traditional eastern flank (which is what we did) - called the Morne Rouge or L'Aileron (look it up via google) - it is very, very steep but well marked (there is only one way to go really). If you wish to get to the Caldera tip alone budget at a minimum 4 hours (another 1.5-2 if you want to summit the cone) for hiking. As someone else stated you'll often be socked in clouds as the easterlies hit against this trail but at the top you should see some incredible views especially the earlier you get there.
The other option (I didn't go this route but may if I go back to Martinique) is a trail called La Grande Savane. You evidently start much higher up the flank of Pelee so it is less walking, I heard it is also less steep and therefore would require less hiking time overall.
Good luck, you'll love the hike!
Written February 23, 2017
albascortes
Province of Castellon, Spain
Quiero informacion de empresas que hagan un tour a la montalla Pelee desde Les Trois Ilets, que es donde esta el hotel en que me voy a hospedar. Gracias
Written February 8, 2017
corinne r
Villefontaine, France
bonjour,
on a l'habitude de marcher le week end mais on est pas de grands randonneurs;nous sommes deux adultes de la cinquantaine et un ado de 12 ans:pensez vous que nous pouvons faire la rando à la montagne pelée sans problèmes???combien y a t il de dénivelé et combien de kms au total?et combien de temps pour faire la ballade jusqu'au sommet??
Written February 2, 2016
Tout dépend ce que vous faites.
Depuis l'aileron la montée jusqu'au second refuge est assez simple et une fois sur le plateau il est possible de faire une partie de la boucle de la Caldeira sur le plateau.
Pour monter au troisième refuge puis au chinois c'est plus compliqué, la pente est plus raide, ce n'est plus de la simple marche, il faut pas mal utiliser les mains.
En tout il y a environ 850 m de dénivelé, 8.5 km de rando si vous faites toute la boucle de la caldeira et le chinois.
Il faut compter 4-5 heures pour le tout en prenant le temps de regarder le paysage quand cela se dégage un peu.
Written February 6, 2019
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