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Grand Ilet - Hell Bourg
Walking/pedestrian
in Salazie
9.9
km
One-way
Walking/pedestrian
6h
Hard
-
The trail linking Grand Ilet to Hell Bourg is an important one as it links the way out of Mafate through the Col des Boeufs and Hell Bourg. Similarly, on returning from Roche Ecrite via the descent towards Grand Ilet, you can then go to Hell Bourg by this same path. You may prefer the trail from the Rivière Fleur Jaune car park which joins it at the junction of the Piton d'Enchaing path.Sunscreen is essential since a good part of the trail is under the full glare of the sun.
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How to reach the start
To get to the start by car, head for Salazie and, once past the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, take the rightmost road at the next junction towards Grand Ilet. At the entrance to Grand Ilet, just before the church, follow the sign indicating the direction of Bélier and Col des Boeufs on the left. After three kilometres, you reach a junction and turn left towards Bélier (Route de Bélier). Continue to follow this road for 450 m, then take the dead-end on the right (it’s the 4th dead-end on the right from the junction: Chemin du Grand Sable). The start of the trail is at the bottom of this dead-end. From Col des Boeufs or Col de Fourche: go down the road from Haut Mafate to the Bélier junction.
Steps
0 km: The trail descends gently.
1.5 km: The sheep trail then arrives at the Camp Pierrot junction. A wide rectilinear alley several hundred metres long is in front of you. Make your way up this alley.
1.8 km: The alley ends here and the trail begins to descend towards Rivière Fleur Jaune below.
2.3 km: Cross Rivière Fleur Jaune by the ford.
2.4 km: Cross another less impressive ford.
2.5 km: Arriving at Grand Sable, continue your journey on a very long alley through the undergrowth.
3.2 km: At the end of the Grand Sable path, the trail now skirts Piton Lélesse.
4.0 km: Now the path heads downhill.
4.3 km: At the junction with a dirt track, keep going straight down.
5.7 km: Several junctions with dirt tracks follow each other as you continue straight ahead on the trail.
5.9 km: You arrive at a descent that’s quite steep and slippery because there are no steps.
6.5 km: You have reached the junction with the Piton d'Enchaing path; continue the descent towards Ilet à Vidot.
6.8 km: A new suspended footbridge will allow you to cross the river, then the trail climbs towards the car park.
7 km: Arriving at the car park, continue to climb along the concrete road to the main road.
7.4 km: Continue along this route towards Hell Bourg.
9.4 km: After passing through Ilet à Vidot, a panel tells you about the old thermal baths of Hell Bourg on your left. Go that way because it’s the shortest route to Hell Bourg.
9.6 km: Visit the ruins of these old baths, then continue the climb to Hell Bourg.
10 km: You’ve reached Hell Bourg.
1.5 km: The sheep trail then arrives at the Camp Pierrot junction. A wide rectilinear alley several hundred metres long is in front of you. Make your way up this alley.
1.8 km: The alley ends here and the trail begins to descend towards Rivière Fleur Jaune below.
2.3 km: Cross Rivière Fleur Jaune by the ford.
2.4 km: Cross another less impressive ford.
2.5 km: Arriving at Grand Sable, continue your journey on a very long alley through the undergrowth.
3.2 km: At the end of the Grand Sable path, the trail now skirts Piton Lélesse.
4.0 km: Now the path heads downhill.
4.3 km: At the junction with a dirt track, keep going straight down.
5.7 km: Several junctions with dirt tracks follow each other as you continue straight ahead on the trail.
5.9 km: You arrive at a descent that’s quite steep and slippery because there are no steps.
6.5 km: You have reached the junction with the Piton d'Enchaing path; continue the descent towards Ilet à Vidot.
6.8 km: A new suspended footbridge will allow you to cross the river, then the trail climbs towards the car park.
7 km: Arriving at the car park, continue to climb along the concrete road to the main road.
7.4 km: Continue along this route towards Hell Bourg.
9.4 km: After passing through Ilet à Vidot, a panel tells you about the old thermal baths of Hell Bourg on your left. Go that way because it’s the shortest route to Hell Bourg.
9.6 km: Visit the ruins of these old baths, then continue the climb to Hell Bourg.
10 km: You’ve reached Hell Bourg.
- 477 meters of difference in height
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- Start altitude : 1221 m
- End altitude : 947 m
- Maximum altitude : 1221 m
- Minimum altitude : 699 m
- Total positive elevation : 477 m
- Total negative elevation : -751 m
- Max positive elevation : 83 m
- Min positive elevation : -187 m
