Guadeloupe


La soufrière
 


Photo Bertrand VALLET

The Soufrière (eruption of 1976), is 1467 m (4401 feet) high at the climax of the crater called " La Découverte (the Discovery) ". The " Dome " of the volcano has the shape of a truncated cone. the waist of its base is 900 m (2700 feet) of diameter. The top does not present an immense crater, but offers to the visitors a rather flat chaotic landscape where the rock formations are separated by chasms smoking sulfurous vapors.

Do not plan a long time before to visit the Soufrière ! Drive up there only if you clearly see the volcano without too many clouds from the Grande Terre. The visit of the Soufrière is so exiting with a fine weather that it would be a pity not to visit it by good atmospheric conditions. If you are not sure, ask the inhabitants! Do not try to climb it with beach shoes and in bathing suit, take  trekking shoes because the path is stony, and don't forget a raincoat, long trousers and a pullover, because the temperature can be below 10° (50° F) in covered weather !


Photo Bertrand VALLET