St. Lucia, Mt. Pimard from Rodney Bay
Mt. Pimard, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
This is a great hike that offers challenge, adventure and a good work out, with spectacular views at the top. This is a great hike to do from your boat, it takes about two hours from the JQ mall dinghy dock to go up and return. It should be avoided after rain as the trail becomes very slippery.
Mt Pimard lies on the south side of Rodney Bay, smaller sister to Mt Flambeau which lies to its west with the pretty little bay Trou Gascon between them. It has an elevation of about 660 feet. I heard a few years ago that there was a trail to the top, then covid hit, so it seemed impossible till this year. My guide, King, told me there has been a trail to the summit for 13 years, but the trail was rerouted into its present form a few years ago. I had no idea, or I would have been up there years ago. My first attempt I did with a friend, but it is a moderately difficult hike and when we got to the series of rock ascent using ropes, she climbed a couple and got uneasy, so at that point we returned. This is important to know, because while many hike this every day on their own, a guide is a great help, because they can assuage the doubts of any less gung-ho members of your group and are invaluable at giving you guidance on using the ropes safely if you are not used to that kind of climbing. They also know all about the history and nature along the trail, and are generally great people, helpful companions, and worth supporting.