At 4,583 ft/1,397 m, Mount Pelee is the tallest mountain on Martinique—even without its top, which blew off in the 1902 eruption. Though smoke occasionally wisps out of its crater today, the volcano has not erupted since 1929, and scientists do not expect it to erupt again anytime soon.
There are several different routes you can take to get to the top of Mount Pelee, but the easiest involves driving a narrow, scenic road that takes you within 1,600 ft/500 m of the summit (it's recommended that you hire a car and driver to make the trip). From there, it's a steep hike the rest of the way up the cloudy slope. The trek up takes about two hours, but you may be rewarded with views of the whole island on clear days. It's best to start the hike early to avoid heat and clouds. Take along plenty of water, wear warm clothes and prepare to get wet—or at least damp—as you usually walk through the clouds near the top of the mountain. The trail is well marked but includes some difficult passages on slippery rocks.
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