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Orangers Channel
Walking/pedestrian
in Saint-Paul
27.8
km
Round-trip
Walking/pedestrian
8h 20min
Medium
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It was once a narrow and dangerous path that allowed access to a few islets at the edge of the rampart (Ilet Cambour, for example). Then, work on the Orangers Channel began in 1965 to bring water from the catchments of the Grand Mère and Orangers ravines to the Highlands of Saint-Paul (Sans Soucis, Plaine Saint-Paul and Bois de Nèfles), ie more than 2000 households. This project would last more than ten years. Since then, this trail has been used by the inhabitants of Orangers and Lataniers...
It was once a narrow and dangerous path that allowed access to a few islets at the edge of the rampart (Ilet Cambour, for example). Then, work on the Orangers Channel began in 1965 to bring water from the catchments of the Grand Mère and Orangers ravines to the Highlands of Saint-Paul (Sans Soucis, Plaine Saint-Paul and Bois de Nèfles), ie more than 2000 households. This project would last more than ten years. Since then, this trail has been used by the inhabitants of Orangers and Lataniers to get to Saint-Paul, and especially by the many hikers who really appreciate this special path. It is in effect a huge balcony all along its length where you can admire the Cirque of Mafate. This magnificent path, which is often damaged by rock falls, is one of the favourite paths among hikers to enter Mafate because it’s flat and offers no great difficulty throughout almost its entire length.
- Departure
- Saint-Paul
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Difference in height
- 1920.66 m
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Equipment
- raincoat, hiking shoes, warm clothes, energy food, sunscreen, bandages, paracetamol, detailed maps, hat, gourd.
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- See all reviews
How to reach the start
The 8.5 bus line from La Semto leaves from the bus station at Saint-Paul every half hour from 6.55 am (except Sunday). Get off at Bac Rouge Sans Soucis, near the red tank. The dirt trail begins to the left of the red tank. By car, head towards Saint Paul, then the Cambaie exit, and continue towards Sans Soucis. Pass the agricultural college and, arriving at Sans Soucis school, take the road on the left indicated by a sign "Canalisation des Orangers". Continue to climb and park by the red tank. You can get out a little farther along on the dirt road with vehicular access by the last houses. This will save you 850 m and 60 m of ascent. Bus line 8.5 from La Semto leaves the bus station of Saint-Paul every half hour from 6.55 am (except Sundays). Get off at Bac Rouge Sans Soucis, near the red tank. The dirt track starts on the left.
Steps
0 km - Start to climb the trail from the last houses on the dirt road (panel 1). This climb is quite steep and you pass to the left of the white water tank.
2.2 km - After 250 metres of ascent, you arrive at the start of the channel (panel 2), then after 150 metres you pass in front of the oratory (panel 3).
3.7 km - Continue on a practically flat trail (panels 4 and 5), then head for Pic du Piton Fougères (panel 6).
6.2 km – Still on the flat (panel 7), the trail passes by what remains of Ilet Cambour.
6.6 km - Arriving at the Flamant waterfall (panel 8), put your photo equipment in your bag, otherwise it’ll get wet. Be careful to hold the handrail tight as the waterfall section is very slippery.
9.2 km – You’ve passed above Deux Bras and just below Ilet Alcide (panels 9, 10, 11 and 12), then you come to the tunnel (panel 13).
10.0 km - Skirt around the ridge which comes down from Cambour (panel 14), and suddenly the view opens up on Lataniers (panel 15). The trail then looks like it’s descending (panels 16, 17 and 18).
12.5 km - You’re very close to the Crête des Orangers ridge and the catchment as you reach the junction (panel 19). Before descending to the left towards Lataniers, you can make a short return trip to the Orangers catchment if you like.
12.6 km - Go down the concrete steps to the ford across Grand Mère ravine (panel 20).
12.8 km - This time, the descent, again consisting of concrete steps, is steeper, but well protected by guardrails (panel 21).
13.3 km - The slope is gentler (panel 22) to reach the junction (panel 23). Continue straight ahead towards Lataniers. On your left is the bottom of the Rivière des Galets.
13.5 km - You've reached Lataniers, and then your gite (panel 24).
2.2 km - After 250 metres of ascent, you arrive at the start of the channel (panel 2), then after 150 metres you pass in front of the oratory (panel 3).
3.7 km - Continue on a practically flat trail (panels 4 and 5), then head for Pic du Piton Fougères (panel 6).
6.2 km – Still on the flat (panel 7), the trail passes by what remains of Ilet Cambour.
6.6 km - Arriving at the Flamant waterfall (panel 8), put your photo equipment in your bag, otherwise it’ll get wet. Be careful to hold the handrail tight as the waterfall section is very slippery.
9.2 km – You’ve passed above Deux Bras and just below Ilet Alcide (panels 9, 10, 11 and 12), then you come to the tunnel (panel 13).
10.0 km - Skirt around the ridge which comes down from Cambour (panel 14), and suddenly the view opens up on Lataniers (panel 15). The trail then looks like it’s descending (panels 16, 17 and 18).
12.5 km - You’re very close to the Crête des Orangers ridge and the catchment as you reach the junction (panel 19). Before descending to the left towards Lataniers, you can make a short return trip to the Orangers catchment if you like.
12.6 km - Go down the concrete steps to the ford across Grand Mère ravine (panel 20).
12.8 km - This time, the descent, again consisting of concrete steps, is steeper, but well protected by guardrails (panel 21).
13.3 km - The slope is gentler (panel 22) to reach the junction (panel 23). Continue straight ahead towards Lataniers. On your left is the bottom of the Rivière des Galets.
13.5 km - You've reached Lataniers, and then your gite (panel 24).
- 1921 meters of difference in height
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- Start altitude : 496 m
- End altitude : 490 m
- Maximum altitude : 1027 m
- Minimum altitude : 490 m
- Total positive elevation : 1921 m
- Total negative elevation : -1927 m
- Max positive elevation : 270 m
- Min positive elevation : -254 m
