When we reach the summit, we walk around the crater. There is a rope to keep visitors away from the toxic sulfur gases, but some people manage to get close enough to peer into the steep abyss and see trails of smoke rising from it. Occasionally, between the rocks, tiny hot springs can be spotted. Some of these rocks are even hot to the touch.
Bains Jaunes is located at the foot of La Soufrière, in the commune of Saint-Claude. From here, the trail leading to the volcano begins.
It’s a delightful spot to find these bath basins, perfect for a swim after your hike!
Head to Saint-Claude and follow the direction of Bains Jaunes, where the road ends. From this point, several hiking trails are available that lead to the summits of La Soufrière and/or La Citerne.
Source: La Soufrière
From Bains Jaunes, the Pas-du-Roy trail and the Dames trail will take you to the top of La Soufrière in about 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can then return by the Col de l’Échelle, on the volcano’s eastern side, but this alternate route will add about 20 minutes to your hike. To reach La Citerne via the Galion Falls, take the Trace de l’Armistice trail (2 hours and 30 minutes to reach La Citerne, 1 hour and 15 minutes to the main Galion Falls).
To reach La Citerne from Bains Jaunes, take the Galion Falls trail, then the Trace de l’Armistice trail (1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the main Galion Falls, 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach La Citerne).
The Galion Falls is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Bains Jaunes (don’t confuse this with the Carbet Falls, which are located elsewhere and can be accessed from Capesterre—see Carbet Falls on BaladoDiscovery).