Visiting the Northernmost Tip of Guadeloupe Islands — Pointe de la Grande Vigie
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Pointe de la Grande Vigie is the northernmost point of the Guadeloupe Islands that you can visit—and hike!
From atop these seaside clifftops, you can see the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, and Montserrat in the distance. The hike itself is easy and short but loaded with panoramic viewpoints.
I am a fan of bucket-list-worthy landmarks such as the Pointe de la Grande Vigie—a managed Biosphere Reserve comprising of eight forests in one. I have a tendency to venture to off-beat places, just like the time I adventured to the northernmost point of South America!
If you’re searching for amazing places to visit on Grande-Terre that are not yet on the touristy trail, then hop in your rental car and head north to the Pointe de la Grande Vigie. Read more below for getting there, trail details, nearby things to do, and more.
Guide: Pointe de la Grande Vigie
✈️ Find cheap flights to Guadeloupe on KAYAK from $99+
🚗 Rent a car in Guadeloupe from €17 on Discovercars.com
🏠 Slow down your travels by staying overnight in hotels near Grand Vigie, Grande-Terre
🎒 Pack and wear durable hiking sandals/shoes, sunscreen, and a rugged power bank
💧 Remember to hydrate—fill a reusable water bottle and take 1L per person
📸 Bring your best travel camera and drone gear for epic shots
🛡 Protect your adventures with SafetyWing, the global travel medical insurance for nomads
☀️ Sunset is at 18:00 (6 PM), make sure to stop hiking at least 1 hour in advance
Getting to North Grande-Terre
To reach the northernmost tip of Grande Terre, Guadeloupe, make sure to rent a car in advance.
While the Kuralis buses do run from town to town along the coast (between PTP and Saint François), the schedule up north is far less reliable. It would also take forever to get there.
La Pointe de la Grande Vigie is located at the tip of Grande-Terre. Take Route de la Lebraire and follow it to N6, N8, and eventually D122.
From Pointe-à-Pitre:
- 1 hour, 42km/26mi
- Pass through Les Abymes, Morne à l’Eau, Anse-Bertrand
From Saint-François:
- 1 hour, 46km/28.5mi
- Take N5 to and beyond Le Moule
- Follow D120 to D122, Rte de la Grande Vigie
Hiking Pointe de la Grande Vigie in Guadeloupe
The parking lot at Grande Vigie is spacious so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot (expect more crowds in the high season).
For now, there’s no entrance fee to loop around the Pointe de la Grande Vigie.
A few informative signs greet you at the entrance (a few stray kitties may be hanging around, too!). After this point, follow the marked pathway and boardwalk which eventually peters out onto a rocky, dirt trail.
Please Leave No Trace! It’s very important to not wander off the path (beyond the railing) as the risk of landslide is possible. Many visitors still pass the railings to get better photos, but the risk is too high.
Trampling off the path also hurts the native flora and fauna unique to this landscape on Grande-Terre.
🥾 In total, the loop hike around La Pointe de la Grande Vigie takes around 20–25 minutes. It’s fairly short and easy, doable even in flip-flops, but it’s better to have proper hiking sandals or closed-toed shoes as rocks are oddly sharp and jagged.
From the right side of the trail, you can see panoramic viewpoints of the Pointe du Piton rock (separated from the mainland) and the coastline.
On the left side of the trail, you can see the coast down to Anse-Bertrand. If you look directly in front of you, on a clear day, you can see Antigua and Barbuda. Off to the northwest is the island of Monserrat.
Sentier Grande Vigie (Longer Hike)
Trailhead sign 
Grande Vigie trail
If you’d like to take your adventures a step further, you can also follow the limestone cliffs from the Pointe Grande Vigie down the coast to Anse Laborde.
This hike is suitable for longer day trips, as it takes 8.2km round-trip (5 miles). We didn’t do this hike because of time constraints, but I imagine it’s gorgeous! If you go, don’t forget to pack plenty of water and wear high SPF sunscreen!
On this hike, you’ll get to see the biodiversity of the protected forests. The strong winds and sun make stunt vegetation height, but not growth; there are at least 240 species of cacti, such as the raquette, and other shrubs and trees in the Grande Vigie Biosphere Reserve that make a nice home for marine birds.
Is the Drive Worth It?
Is driving up to the north of Grande Terre worth it? I always find these types of questions (and responses) interesting because, like anywhere, it’s a chance to see nature and witness the majesty of the earth—it’s always worth it!
Sure, is it comparable to Pointe des Châteaux that juts out of the southern peninsula of Grande Terre? Maybe, maybe not. It’s different. The plant life is different, the landscape is different. And that all makes it worth it, in my opinion!
More Nearby Pointe de la Grande Vigie
While you’re up here, definitely take time to check out these other beautiful spots in North Grande-Terre!
- Le Moule — cute town with a colorful Hôtel de Ville
- La Porte d’Enfer Lagoon hike
- Anse Bertrand community
- Plage de la Caravelle
- Plage du Souffleur (Port Louis)
If you have any questions, feel free to drop them below. Make sure to check out more travel guides to Guadeloupe to help plan your trip! 🌞
