The Pitons are two volcanic rock formations called plugs and spires found in Saint Lucia. Petit Piton is 743 meters (2,438 feet) tall, and Gros Piton is 798.25 meters (2,618.9 feet) tall. These two peaks are connected by a ridge called Piton Mitan. The word "Piton" means mountain peak in French, so Petit Piton and Gros Piton refer to the smaller and larger peaks, respectively. The Pitons are a World Heritage Site covering an area of 2,909 hectares (7,190 acres) and are located near the town of Soufrière.
Geography
The Pitons are found between the towns of Soufrière and Choiseul on the southwestern coast of the island.
Flora and fauna
The main type of plant life includes tropical moist forests that change into subtropical wet forests. Small areas of dry forests and wet elfin woodlands are found on the mountain peaks. At least 148 different plant species have been found on Gros Piton, 97 on Petit Piton and the ridge between them, including eight rare tree species.
Gros Piton is home to about 27 types of birds, five of which are found only there, as well as three native rodents, one opossum, three bats, eight reptiles, and three amphibians. The area has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
Gros Piton
Gros Piton is located at the southern part of Pitons Bay. It is the second-highest mountain on Saint Lucia, following Mount Gimie.
Gros Piton can be climbed without needing ropes or special skills. Visitors can hike to the top and return to sea level in a few hours. Guides are available through the National Park and are included in the entry fee. These guides are trained by the government to speak languages that many tourists use and to handle medical situations that might happen during the hike.
Petit Piton
Petit Piton is located in the middle of Soufrière Bay, south of Soufrière and north of Gros Piton.
Petit Piton was first climbed by Abdome Deligny in 1878. From its peak, the islands of Dominica, Martinique, Barbados, and St. Vincent can be seen.
In popular culture
Saint Lucia's local beer, produced by the Windward & Leeward Brewery, is named after the Pitons.
Both mountains are popular with hikers. Gros Piton is more frequently visited because it is easier to climb, and tours are provided by The Soufrière Foundation, a group that works to protect the Pitons Management Area.
The Arawaks, an indigenous people, view the Pitons as a family. Gros Piton represents the father, Petit Piton represents the mother, and Petit-Petit Piton, a small hill that sticks out from the side of Petit Piton, represents the child.
Gallery
- The Pitons, Soufrière, and the Caribbean Sea
- View of Petit Piton from Gros Piton
- View of the Pitons from a northern location
- View of Gros Piton from the Piton Mitan ridge
- View of Petit Piton from the Piton Mitan ridge
- Gros Piton (left) and Petit Piton seen from the north-east
- Pitons in 1903
- Drawing of the St. Lucia Pitons from the 17th to 18th century
- Panorama view from the top of Gros Piton, looking north. Shows the Petit Piton and northern St. Lucia.
- View of the Pitons from the ocean