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Forêt de Mare Longue
Walking/pedestrian
in Saint-Philippe
1.9
km
Loop
Walking/pedestrian
1h 30min
Easy
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Forêt de Mare Longue is a unique primary tropical forest. This remaining section of lowland tropical rainforest is a true botanical treasure-trove. After 2 centuries of intense deforestation, less than 7% of the original tropical rainforest remains in Reunion Island, mainly located in Saint Philippe. The primary forest of Mare Longue, which miraculously survived, is the richest tropical forest in Reunion Island. Thérésien Cadet (1937-1987), professor at the University of Reunion Island, was...
Forêt de Mare Longue is a unique primary tropical forest. This remaining section of lowland tropical rainforest is a true botanical treasure-trove. After 2 centuries of intense deforestation, less than 7% of the original tropical rainforest remains in Reunion Island, mainly located in Saint Philippe. The primary forest of Mare Longue, which miraculously survived, is the richest tropical forest in Reunion Island. Thérésien Cadet (1937-1987), professor at the University of Reunion Island, was the first to study in depth the vegetation of the Forêt de Mare Longue. In the early 1970s, during the field inventories in preparation for his thesis, he drew the attention of the managers of this forest on the need to preserve this jewel of Reunion’s natural heritage which was at risk of being transformed into a plantation for wood production. A stone tablet pays homage to him at the start of the path. With this path, the ONF has created one of the most beautiful botanical trails in Reunion Island, in what is the first biological reserve on the island, and you can read the many information panels along this route.Before going on this hike, you can visit the website devoted to the 'Réserve Naturelle Saint-Philippe Mare Longue': http://etic.univ-reunion.fr/theresien/index.php. You can also download the ONF booklet about the forest of Mare Longue by searching for 'ONF_foret_tropicale_mare_longue.pdf'.
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How to reach the start
From the north or west, head for Saint Philippe, and 1 km after passing Le Baril, and 100 metres after the Puits des Anglais, turn left into Chemin de Ceinture. If you’re coming from the east, pass Saint Philippe and Mare Longue, and on leaving the village of Souffleur d'Arbonne, turn right onto Chemin de Ceinture. Continue along this road for 1.7 km and go straight on at the junction with the concrete road coming from the right. Then, 150 metres further on, take the junction which leaves straight to the left - the forest road of Mare Longue. After 1.3 km and a few turns, you’ll see the car park for the botanical trail on your left.
Steps
0 km - The trail begins behind the shelter, and merges initially with the GR R2. You quickly arrive at junction 1 where the memorial in homage to Thérésien Cadet stands. Continue straight ahead and follow the red signs.
0.3 km - At junction 2, continue along the trail on the right and follow the red signs.
0.4 km - The trail crosses the forest track at junction 3. Now you follow the yellow signs.
0.6 km - The trail crosses the forest track again at junction 4, and a few metres after, the botanical trail and the GR R2 separate at junction 5. Take the path that leads to the left.
0.8 km - The trail begins to descend.
1.1 km - The trail follows the forest track from junction 6 to junction 3.
1.3 km - Back at junction 3, you’ll find the GR R2 section taken during the ascent. Descend this section to junction 2.
1.4 km - At junction 2, take the trail on the right and follow the blue signs.
1.7 km - There are lots of signs, and the ONF has done a good job on this trail.
2.0 km - Back at junction 1, you’ll find this wonderful tree with its impressive roots. The car park is just in front.
0.3 km - At junction 2, continue along the trail on the right and follow the red signs.
0.4 km - The trail crosses the forest track at junction 3. Now you follow the yellow signs.
0.6 km - The trail crosses the forest track again at junction 4, and a few metres after, the botanical trail and the GR R2 separate at junction 5. Take the path that leads to the left.
0.8 km - The trail begins to descend.
1.1 km - The trail follows the forest track from junction 6 to junction 3.
1.3 km - Back at junction 3, you’ll find the GR R2 section taken during the ascent. Descend this section to junction 2.
1.4 km - At junction 2, take the trail on the right and follow the blue signs.
1.7 km - There are lots of signs, and the ONF has done a good job on this trail.
2.0 km - Back at junction 1, you’ll find this wonderful tree with its impressive roots. The car park is just in front.
- 110 meters of difference in height
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- Start altitude : 204 m
- End altitude : 214 m
- Maximum altitude : 303 m
- Minimum altitude : 204 m
- Total positive elevation : 110 m
- Total negative elevation : -100 m
- Max positive elevation : 98 m
- Min positive elevation : -30 m
