Martinique’s Circuit de la Caravelle Trail Description & Local Hiking Guides
Overview of hiking Martinique – Circuit de la Caravelle Trail:
- Time required: 2 – 3 hours
- Degree of Difficulty: 6.5 out of 10 (sun exposure / heat)
- Height: Less than 650 feet (200m) in total elevation change
- Distance: Just under 4 miles (6km) loop trail. Optional 1.25 mile (2km) and 5 mile (8 km) variants are also available.
- Guide Required: No, the trail is well marked. That said, the hiking experience is always enhanced by the knowledge of a local guide.
Located less than an hour from Fort-de-France on Martinique’s east coast, there is a peninsula that is home to the Presqu’Île de la Caravelle Nature Reserve. The Circuit de la Caravelle is a well-maintained and marked loop traversing dry forest trails, coastal paths and mangrove tracks, with varying elevation through-out. The trail goes to a lighthouse as well as the remains of a 17th-century plantation.
The trail-head starts from the Chateau Dubuc parking lot. Heading north-east will take you around the main loop trail in a clockwise direction away from the Chateau and towards a lighthouse known as the Phare de la Caravelle. The trail starts as a winding gravel road through a green ‘dry forest’ on a gradual incline, then turns into a broken paved road and gets steeper. Just over a mile (2 km) from the trail-head, a steep paved side road leads to the lighthouse area.
At the base of the lighthouse, there is a large wooden structure, not much more than a frame, some walls and a roof, that provides hikers refuge from the sun. From there, a cement staircase leads to the lighthouse and a really cool semi-circular monument/bench with a built-in map. The map’s arrows point to the features and landmarks of the surrounding area. This high ground provides a great panoramic view of the Martinique landscape, including the peninsula as well as it’s surrounding bays and shorelines.
Getting back down to the junction point, the main road continues east towards the coast. Eventually the road transitions into a more natural trail that leads to the glorious shoreline. At this point, the trail leaves the shelter of the small trees and scrub and exposes you to a dry sun-baked rocky shoreline along the peninsula’s east coast. The coastal trail heads south offering spectacular views of the rugged coastline and a multitude of spectacular blue inlets and bays. For just over a mile (2 km) or so, this section of the trail consists of a combination of gravel paths, large sections of rock, some man-made stairs, and a few short clifftop forest paths. The trail is fairly well marked, even in the rocky areas. The elevation changes considerably along this amazing section of trail, sometimes as much as 100-130 feet (30-40m) at a time. It can get pretty hot and dry here, so sun protection and plenty of water is required.
After a while, there’s a junction in the trail where an optional side path ventures further down the coast, looping another mile (2 km) or more. The main trail heads inland at this point, back into a dry forest landscape. After another mile (2km) or so, this low scrub environment eventually gives way to mangroves with some fairly dry mud patches (seasonal?). This area is home to dozens, if not hundreds of Soldier (Bernhard’s Hermit) crabs. This section of the trail has tight twists and turns over varying elevations before ascending into another scrub forest and not long after, to the Chateau Dubuc.
The Chateau Dubuc was a large 17th-century plantation which grew coffee, tobacco and sugar among other things. The “ruins” consist of the stone remains of a Greathouse along with a number of other buildings set magnificently on a hillside overlooking the well-protected Baie du Tresor. The small fee (5 Euros per person) to enter the grounds and view the small museum is well worth the price. From here it’s less than half a mile (0.5 km) back to the parking lot.
In summary, this loop trail is well maintained and marked, consisting of both coastal paths and inland trails. There is informative/educational signage (in French) all along the trail, found more frequently closer to the Chateau. The diverse terrain has varying elevation with highlights including several magnificent look-out/observation points. The lighthouse peak provides fantastic views of the mountainous island itself, while the beautiful and rugged coastline provides spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the island’s multi-coloured blue bays and inlets. A constant breeze provides relief from the sun and keeps biting insects away. The 17th-century plantation ruins are very interesting, providing an opportunity to learn about colonial trading, slavery and more.
To hike Martinique’s Circuit-de-la Caravelle trail , these local Tour Operators / Hiking Guides will take good care of you (Click on a Tour Operator below for more details):
Coming Soon…
For a more colourful review, check out our personal Martinique hiking experience with our Circuit-de-la Caravelle Blog Post
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