Exploring St Lucia''s Interior Forest Reserves
Stretching across the island's central and north-central interior, the vast, uninhabited and irregularly shaped St Lucia Forest Reserve comprises the 19,000 acres of rainforest and dry forest which are maintained by the government's forestry department. Though many of the trails within the reserve were used as transportation routes in the early colonial days, today most people who venture in do so for pleasure rather than necessity. Arrestingly beautiful and teeming with exotic flora and wildlife, the forests offer an absorbing alternative to the sun-and-beach culture of coastal resorts. St Lucia's protected forest reserves (and all of the hiking trails within them) are maintained by the Forestry and Lands Department (tel 758/450-2231 or 2078, ). The department also determines public access (some parts of the interior are restricted) and provides trained hiking guides . A flat fee of EC$25 covers access to a single trail as well as the services of a guide. At extra cost, the forestry department can sometimes arrange transport to the trails. As the forestry department is understaffed, you should always call a few days in advance to arrange guides or transport. Unless you elect to arrange your transport with the forestry department or take a tour with Castries-based commercial companies such as Jungle Tours (tel 758/450-0434) or Sunlink Jeep Safaris (tel 758/452-9678, ), getting to the trails is not an easy proposition. Public transport is limited, but you can reach some trails by taking an inland bus , which will cost EC$5 or less. Services run directly to the start of Union and Barre de L'Isle walks, but for most of the hikes we've listed, you'll have to take a bus to the nearest town and walk to the start of the trail, often a few miles away. If you decide to opt for a taxi , make arrangements to be collected at an appointed hour, as you're unlikely to find drivers cruising for fares in the mountains. If you can afford it, renting a car is the easiest option.
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