At 1397 meters (4,583 feet) above sea level, Mount Pelee (Montagne Pelée in French) is Martinique's highest point. The volcano is still active and left an indelible scar when it erupted on May 8, 1902.
Its eruption is said to have killed over 32,000 people and destroyed the town of Saint-Pierre, then the capital of Martinique. The uniqueness of its eruption has even led to its name being used today to characterize a type of eruption (pelean eruption). Although many claim that Mount Pelée is located in Saint-Pierre, the volcano is actually in the commune of Morne-Rouge.
On September 30, 2023, the volcanoes and forests of Montagne Pelée and the Pitons in the north of Martinique were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you're looking for a breath of fresh air, this is the place to be in Martinique. Indeed, at its summit, it would be around 10°C, the lowest temperature you'll find on the island. The further up the mountain you climb, the cooler it gets.
Its summit, known as "Le Chinois", rises to 1397 meters and is only visible for an average of seven days a year! So it's extremely rare that the clouds don't hide it, revealing its full contours.
Bring hiking boots and a raincoat, as it rains almost every day. On sunnier days, it can also be very hot, and the sun beats down more and more as you climb, so don't forget your cap or hat and plenty of water.
The climb up Mount Pelée takes around 5 hours, or even 6 hours if you plan to reach the summit. To get the most out of the site, plan to go very early in the morning (from 5 or 6 AM). You can choose to climb via the Aileron or the Grande Savane. Only the most experienced hikers/climbers can hope to reach the summit.
On the way back, you can stop off at the small restaurant bar in the parking lot to refuel before setting off again.
To get there, head north to Martinique, and once you've arrived in the commune of Morne-Rouge, head towards Ajoupa-Bouillon, taking the Route de l'Aileron to the parking lot of the 1st refuge (822 m). This first route leads to the 2nd refuge (1250 m) on the edge of the Caldeira. The signs will show you how to get there quite easily.
