Traditional Cocoa Plant

Town of Soufriere

* Torallie Water Fall & Garden* 

In the shadow of Mount Gimie, a short drive from Soufrière, Toraille Waterfall & Gardens provides another opportunity to see the rich diversity that St. Lucia has to offer.  

Near the town of Soufriere, just a stone’s throw from the scenic main road which winds through the community of Fond St.Jaques, a breathtaking waterfall gushes 50 feet over a cliff side and cascades into a pool at the center of a charmingly landscaped garden. A nature trail with quaint bridges and walkways leads you through the lush greens and dazzling colours of this tropical paradise. You can take a refreshing bath under the waterfall, and on days when the force of the water is not too strong, you can enjoy an invigorating back and shoulder massage under the falls. Changing rooms are nearby, as well as a seating area for picnics.

Mix Your Tour With an Adventurous Kayak Experience

*PITON FLORE RAINFOREST TRAIL, ST. LUCIA*
Piton Flore Rainforest Trail (Forestierre Tropical Forest Trail)
This trail is only thirty (30) minutes drive from the capital, Castries. It is part of the Old French Road which traverses through mature pristine rainforest, abundant with large, spectacular fig trees, epiphytes, and ferns, from Forestierre to La Resource, Dennery. The trail extends 1871 ft up to the summit of Piton Flore. This trail is managed by the local Forrestiere community.

*FOND D’OR NATURE & HISTORIC PARK, ST. LUCIA*

This historic park is the only place in st Lucia where you can see three different sugar processing technologies existing side by side: the cattle mill, the wind milll, and the steam engine. The area is also the archeological site of several Amerindian settlements. You can gain an insight into this indigenous culture at the interpretation centre, where a delicious lunch is also served. The natural landscapes at Fond D’Or are just as diverse as the man-made ones, ranging from estuarine forests on gently sloping hills to protected mangroves and a wide white sand beach (swimming with caution). Extensive hiking trails allow you to explore the undisturbed plant and wildlife at Fond D’Or for several hours, in the company of a knowledgeable guide from the community. Fond D’Or is part of the community-based Mabouya Valley Development Project.

*FOND LATISAB CREOLE PARK, ST. LUCIA*
This site is located in Babonneau, just a 30 minute drive from Rodney bay and the capital Castries. An experience of traditional st lucia practices, this inspiring visit offers demonstrations of local traditions such as cassava bread-making, cooking on macambou leaves, authentic two-handed sawing to the rhythm of a chak chak band, honey collection and traditional methods for catching crayfish. The site is owned and managed by the Canice Family, who will welcome you with open arms and true st Lucia hospitality. A truly “kweyol” experience.

* Latille Water Fall* 

LATILLE WATERFALL AND GARDENS, ST. LUCIA
Latille waterfalls and gardens is situated just off the east coast a little ways into the interior of the island where the rain forest begins. The 20 ft waterfall cascades into a deep pool in which visitors may swim before exploring the scenic watercourse and pools downstream. The falls are accessed through a tranquil and well-maintained organically grown fruit, herbal and flower garden. This site is the first and only heritage site which generates its own electricity through hydro power from the waterfall. The owner and site operator, an experienced agriculturist, lives on property, and will explain how the renewable energy system was set up and works with support of local and overseas volunteers. Installation of a solar energy system is scheduled for completion in 2009. You can combine a visit to Latille with a trip to the nearby Troumasse/Descartiers rain forest trail further inland.

* Castries Heritage Walk* 

Between 1796 and 1948 Castries the capitol of St. Lucia suffered four devastating fires. Today Castries is probably the most modern city in the Caribbean. However many of Castries old wooden buildings with their graceful balconies and lattice work survived and can be seen along the narrow streets of the town.  

*Mamiku Gardens* 

MAMIKU GARDENS, ST. LUCIA
The Historical Gardens of Madame de Micoud set in 12 acres of natural woodlands offer a series of different gardens.The estate was originally acquired in 1766 by the Baron de Micoud, a colonel in the French army and a former governor of st Lucia. The name 'Mamiku' is an adaptation of "Madame de Micoud" the Baron's wife. By 1796 the estate was taken over by the British military under the famous General Sir John Moore. The post endured much action, culminating in a famous battle with the 'Brigands' which left 15 soldiers dead, 20 wounded and the de Micoud home a burnt-out ruin. The captain of the post committed suicide after the battle. For two hundred years, the de Micoud estate ruins were left virtually undisturbed. The Estate eventually became a profitable sugar estate again.Today, Mamiku Estate is a hardworking plantation producing bananas, tropical flowers and fruits, with the botanical gardens a recently-added enterprise.

* Fond Doux Estate & Historic Area* 

This 250-year old working estate close to Soufriere offers spectacular views, beautiful natural landscapes, many birds, flowering trees and crops. You can see how cocoa is processed, still using the historic cocoa drying sheds and the traditional methos of “cocoa dancing.” You can walk the estate trails and explore military ruins, and climb the Maroon estate route. The estate, at an elevation between 1400 and 1660 feet above the sea is always cool. From the verandah of the present plantation house, (l'habitation of the French), built in 1864, there is the effect of being in an ampitheatre, with the estate unfolding beneath you. The restaurant, built around a massive historic stone wall, offers excellent local cuisine and drinks in a quiet and serene setting.