Barre de L'Isle Trail
Barre de L'Isle Trail
3
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A trail cutting through thick forest and, along the way, offering panoramas of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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3.0
10 reviews
Excellent
0
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
1
BBnugget
Newark, DE895 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
This trail is not far at all from Dennery, 10-15 minutes tops, and 15-20 from Castries. There are some one-lane sections of road in the area due to Hurricane Tomas, but there are barricades on the side and it was not scary. The trail has a sign, but it is pretty much facing towards traffic coming from Castries so it was hard to spot for us. There is a dirt pull-off parking area on the north side of the road. We were not sure where to go, but a guy in a tree (seriously) told us to walk up a driveway to a house. We had called the day before to make reservations, but they told me that they are always there 8:00-2:00 and anyone can show up at any time. The woman in the house told us that there are two trails. A longer one requiring a guide, heads north along the ridge and a shorter non-guided trail, heads south along the ridge. The ridge divides the east of St Lucia from the west and, at times you can see both the Atlantic and the Caribbean. At the house, they had hundreds of new trees they were sprouting to replace mudslide damaged areas. They used to give guides out that described trees and stuff along the way, but everything has not been "fixed" after Hurricane Tomas. There are still some signs that remain along the trail giving the names of trees (common, local, and latin). We paid the $25 EC per person ($10 US) and did the shorter trail. She said the longer one was about 4 hours and the shorter was 2 hours round trip if you turn around at “The end of the trail” or longer if you go further. She also said mudslide damage limits how far you can go, but there is a sign that says “End of trail, you may proceed as far as you can if you wish”. This section used to lead to Mt. La Combe Ridge, but now leads to a huge mudslide area facing the Caribbean, which clearly represents the end. The trail has many stairs, but is not too strenuous and is very pretty. It goes up and down both ways, so it is not very tiring. There are some sections where you are on quite a narrow ridge, but it is very safe. The mudslide areas are obvious and pretty awe-inspiring. On the short trail, you go through a few different ecosystems and we saw small lizards, birds, and butterflies. After the end-of-trail sign, the trail closes in and is overgrown, but that kind of added to it. It only goes maybe a quarter or half a mile further, but there are different ecosystems and it was quite pretty. We made it back to the car in one hour. We found the estimated hiking times all over the island are ridiculously conservative. I could have been on crutches and still made it in less than the estimated times. It is definitely worth the trip, especially if you are driving by, which most do. We have done many hikes, but this one is special, being on a ridge with the Caribbean on one side, the Atlantic on the other, and a whole bunch of green all around. Plus, on the short there-and-back trail, there is a surprising amount of flora and ecosystem diversity. Later on the Full Island Helicopter tour, we could see the actual trail and parking area as we flew over.
Written 10 December 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.
Mike C
Cary, North Carolina, United States16 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Finally found the place on top of the ridge as the sign was covered by branches. Had a trail guide (Shaun) and he informed us of the local flowers and plants as we went along. For us it was a pleasant walk for about 1.5 hours - if you're expecting a hike through the tropical rain forest then this will not be for you. I'm told you can do a 4 hr hike in the opposite direction but you must book in advance for this. Trail goes along a ridge for 45 minutes and then you stop and come back. It would have been good if the trail lead to the summit but mudslides had closed the trail. It was just my wife and I with the guide, so we had the guide to ourselves. Maybe would not have marked the visit so higher if we were in a larger group.
Written 11 January 2017
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.
gil123
Philadelphia334 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
We were looking for an accessible, short hike to get a feel for the rainforest and interior of the country when traveling from Rodney Bay to UVF airport. We had limited time and this worked well for our needs. We actually chose several other trails near Forestiere based on better reviews than this one, but could not find them. Traveling on your own, GPS will often not get you where you need to go in St. Lucia. So we ended up asking around and finding this trail instead. $10 USD per person for the permit in the office across from the trailhead. No guide needed nor offered. Trail pretty well marked and easy to follow. We were absolutely alone on the trail for an hour out and back so we didn't do the whole thing. Very nice way to get into nature and avoid the crowds, zipline BS and overpriced tours.
Written 22 January 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.
Traveleroutdoors
Chichester Uk30 contributions
After we paid 100 ec dollars ( 25 per person park entry and 25 per person for mandatory guide) they mention part closed so no climb of mt la combe (no longer 3 hour circuit so now 2 hour there and back). Bit disgruntled but set off. Guide answered questions about plants but offered little spontaneously. After 35min we had reached the end of the track so really just over 1hour total. I suspect this was really good before storms (2010 and recent) but currently v poor. I suspect we were also conned ref needing tour guide as receipt only includes park entry. Low point in otherwise great holoday. I strongly suggest people do not go untill this place gets its self sorted.
Written 17 January 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.
bigandos
London66 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
We wanted to do a bit of rainforest walking while in St Lucia and found this marked on our tourist trail. It was fairly easy to find as the trail head is directly on the main east code highway about 25 mins drive from Castries. We parked on the roadside and found the ranger's hut. It costs EC25 each to enter the trail, you can get a guide but we didn't bother.
The ranger told us it was about one hour walk to the end and an hour back so we set off. Unfortunately, most of the the trail has been washed away or suffered landslips. We reached the end of the trail in about 20 - 30 minutes! There are some nice views along the way but it really wasn't worth the effort to get there and the expense. Maybe if it re-opens fully and you can climb the mountain again it will be better in future, but I really wouldn't bother for now.
The ranger told us it was about one hour walk to the end and an hour back so we set off. Unfortunately, most of the the trail has been washed away or suffered landslips. We reached the end of the trail in about 20 - 30 minutes! There are some nice views along the way but it really wasn't worth the effort to get there and the expense. Maybe if it re-opens fully and you can climb the mountain again it will be better in future, but I really wouldn't bother for now.
Written 13 March 2016
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.
pollyoppy
Ormskirk, UK1,220 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
An interesting walk through the rainforest. Quite challenging in parts due to the muddy ground and with few views. Worthwhile if you want a rainforest experience but there is no wildlife to see.
Written 9 March 2015
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.
ant482016
Greater London, UK3 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Dropped by, paid our $20 fee plus EC25 for a guide.
Sean accompanied us, was informative and friendly and we had a very enjoyable two hour stroll through the rain forest. It’s much shorter now because of a landslide but still worth it.
We saw a boa, some butterflies, heard the parrots. Worthwhile,
Sean accompanied us, was informative and friendly and we had a very enjoyable two hour stroll through the rain forest. It’s much shorter now because of a landslide but still worth it.
We saw a boa, some butterflies, heard the parrots. Worthwhile,
Written 7 May 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.
ChicagoK47
Evanston, IL37 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
This is a ridge trail that is moderately strenuous on well maintained trials. As it follows a ridge, in goes up and down so is equally strenuous in both directions. We had great weather so excellent views of the sea, the ocean, Mt Jimmy and local valleys. A more misty day might result in the mixed reviews on this site. This is really a nature trail and we had a spectacular guide Shaun who told us all about the plants and vegetation. The fee was $10 US and pays for the folks who maintain the trail daily. The guide was not required and was paid by tip only.
This trail could be walked in 20-30 min but we stopped endlessly to discuss with our guide the flora and occasional fauna (including a parrot heard but seen only as a flying blur and a brilliant colored land crab). The trail no longer goes to the peak due to a mudslide. The trail had been repaired for out to a bit more than a mile, which was still beautiful for a 1 hr hike.
This trail could be walked in 20-30 min but we stopped endlessly to discuss with our guide the flora and occasional fauna (including a parrot heard but seen only as a flying blur and a brilliant colored land crab). The trail no longer goes to the peak due to a mudslide. The trail had been repaired for out to a bit more than a mile, which was still beautiful for a 1 hr hike.
Written 23 August 2016
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.
Ewan C
Edinburgh, UK481 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
Fine rainforest walk but has been truncated since mudslides and is really only a walk of an hour or so. At $25ECD (paid at hut opposite) it is pricey. Some wildlife and terrain a bit tricky in places.
Written 21 February 2016
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.
Hi. Does anyone know if the trail has improved since all these negative comments?
Written 22 September 2017
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