Sorry for the delay! The climb is not easy, but not super difficult either. Parts of the trail are paths and a few parts are climbing up and around rocks. You must have a certain level of fitness and good shoes to climb the volcano. It does not cost anything to get on the trail.

I downloaded google maps to my phone so that service would not be an issue. Worked great for the entire vacation. Star the places you need ahead of time and screen shot their info. Put this address in to get you to the parking area for the aileron route Restaurant Le Refuge De L'aileron D39, Saint-Pierre, Martinique

Sorry for the delay. Depending on your fitness, it will take you anywhere between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours. It’s not a race, and if you have nice weather it’s gorgeous. The trail is not for everyone. You need good shoes and some measure of fitness. It’s steep in parts. You might need your arms for some parts. There’s one main trail that has a preliminary stopping point. It’s enough to do that. But if you’re feeling good, there’s a second part of the trail that goes for another hour or so. I would say that second part is for very fit hiker types. If you’re going to do the extended hike, round trip is minimum over three hours so start early.

5h in a steep slope trail 💪

Hi newim2004 I have done this hike back in June, the path is very well marked up you really don't need a guide for this hike. I started the hike at L'Aileron station when we got to the top we went all the way around the caldera and when we got to the 3rd refuge we went to the highest point of Martinique (Le Chinois). I hope this helps.

I didn't go the hire guide route - so can't answer to that....that may be the easiest (though likely quite expensive). Don't get a taxi - you're charged European rates so that would be very expensive as it's an hour's drive each way from F-D-F to the trails. What I would do (if feasible) is rent a car - you can do the traditional eastern flank (which is what we did) - called the Morne Rouge or L'Aileron (look it up via google) - it is very, very steep but well marked (there is only one way to go really). If you wish to get to the Caldera tip alone budget at a minimum 4 hours (another 1.5-2 if you want to summit the cone) for hiking. As someone else stated you'll often be socked in clouds as the easterlies hit against this trail but at the top you should see some incredible views especially the earlier you get there. The other option (I didn't go this route but may if I go back to Martinique) is a trail called La Grande Savane. You evidently start much higher up the flank of Pelee so it is less walking, I heard it is also less steep and therefore would require less hiking time overall. Good luck, you'll love the hike!

Tout dépend ce que vous faites. Depuis l'aileron la montée jusqu'au second refuge est assez simple et une fois sur le plateau il est possible de faire une partie de la boucle de la Caldeira sur le plateau. Pour monter au troisième refuge puis au chinois c'est plus compliqué, la pente est plus raide, ce n'est plus de la simple marche, il faut pas mal utiliser les mains. En tout il y a environ 850 m de dénivelé, 8.5 km de rando si vous faites toute la boucle de la caldeira et le chinois. Il faut compter 4-5 heures pour le tout en prenant le temps de regarder le paysage quand cela se dégage un peu.