The interior of Basse-Terre is Guadeloupe's mountainous, rainforest half, centered on La Soufrière, an active volcano still venting steam, and the Chutes du Carbet waterfalls nearby. It's the place to trade beaches for hiking - the forest is dense, trails are often muddy, and weather at altitude changes fast, but it's a completely different side of the island from the coast.
| Distance | Within Basse-Terre island — 1 hr drive from Pointe-à-Pitre |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1 hour drive from Pointe-à-Pitre via N1 |
| Getting there | Car rental (Europcar, Avis, Hertz at PTP airport; from €40/day) |
| Address | Savane à Mulets (La Soufrière), 97120 Saint-Claude |
How to get there
- Car rental is required — no public transport to trailheads
- Route: Pointe-à-Pitre → Cascade aux Écrevisses (Route de la Traversée) → Chutes du Carbet → La Soufrière (Savane à Mulets) → return via coastal N1
Location
Savane à Mulets (La Soufrière), 97120 Saint-Claude
16.0444, -61.6644 View on map
Highlights
- La Soufrière - an active volcano reachable by a marked trail from Savane à Mulets to near the summit, with sulfur vents and views over Basse-Terre when clouds clear
- Chutes du Carbet - a set of three waterfalls in the Parc National de la Guadeloupe, the lower and most accessible of which is a short walk from the parking area
- Parc National de la Guadeloupe - the rainforest reserve covering most of the interior, with marked trails through dense tropical vegetation
- Maison de la Forêt - a nature trail and small visitor stop that introduces the park's plant and bird life