The two Pitons are of course the most photographed landmark on the island.

The Gross Piton is easier climbed with well established tours that provide transportation to the "Interpretive centre"( a small welcome center of sorts with descriptions and models of the local geography, geology and plant life).

The park service mandates that guides be used when climbing this peak.  The guides are park service employees that are professional, informative and fun to hike with. The climb averages 2 hours to the summit and rewards those that make it with spectacular views of the island and the Petit Piton. This is a hike, not a climb and although strenuous does not require any special skills or present much exposure or danger.

The Petit is quite different in that there is no welcome center or even a marked trailhead for that matter. Although no guide is mandatory on this peak, you would be well served finding a local that knows the route. The climb does have some primitive fixed ropes and does present some exposure. The summit is a much smaller area, but has even better views.

To see a brief video of both summits from February of 2007, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiUf5S...