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Ilet à Malheur by the Scout Trail
Walking/pedestrian
in Salazie
14.4
km
Round-trip
Walking/pedestrian
5h 50min
Medium
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The Scout Trail is one of the most wonderful routes in the Cirque of Mafate. Dotted with superb views such as Les Deux Fesses and the Grand Rein, this trail is one of the major works carried out by the ONF in the 1970s. Originally, it was the way to reach Aurère, the islet where the first White in Mafate settled, during the 18th century. Ilet à Malheur (Islet of Grief) took its name from the times of slavery. At that time, the runaway slaves, known as "Les Marrons", sank deeper and deeper...
The Scout Trail is one of the most wonderful routes in the Cirque of Mafate. Dotted with superb views such as Les Deux Fesses and the Grand Rein, this trail is one of the major works carried out by the ONF in the 1970s. Originally, it was the way to reach Aurère, the islet where the first White in Mafate settled, during the 18th century. Ilet à Malheur (Islet of Grief) took its name from the times of slavery. At that time, the runaway slaves, known as "Les Marrons", sank deeper and deeper into the interior of the island, pursued by slave hunters. In 1829, the detachment of white hunters commanded by Mr Guichard discovered a camp of runaway slaves in the Cirque of Mafate. There were about forty fugitives living in this place completely self-sufficiently. Well armed, these hunters massacred all the slaves, then cut the ears off their corpses. At that time, bringing corpses back from Mafate was too difficult, so they had to bring back the pairs of ears of the fleeing slaves after killing them as proof of their mission accomplished. The hunters were thus paid the reward promised for the "capture" of the runaway slaves. After this massacre, the place was named Ilet à Malheur.The descent to Ilet à Malheur presents no major difficulties. However, to enjoy the Cirque of Mafate a little longer, we recommend you stay in a gite in Ilet à Malheur, or even Aurère (40 min walk) and carry on the following day. In Ilet à Malheur, you’ll find a shop to stock up on food and, if you need it, a private campsite, gites, and a beautiful church and bell tower. The Scout Trail can be done in all seasons, but it’s best to do it in good weather to enjoy the views. A possible route, if you decide to spend a night in the Cirque of Mafate, is to go to Aurère and then head up the path of the Augustave channel. This trail, with its spectacular arrangement, takes you up into a steep-sided valley and the tropical atmosphere of Bras Bémale and Ravine Savon. The trail, which is slightly more difficult than the Scout Trail, leads to the forest road 800 metres below the Scout Trail car park.
- Departure
- Salazie
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Difference in height
- 1096.02 m
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Route interest
- -Panoramic views of the north of the Cirque of Mafate -The beauty of Ilet à Malheur, with its chapel and bell
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Equipment
- Gourd.
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Did you know ?
- The practice of bringing back ears as trophies to prove the success of the slave hunt is one of the origins put forward to explain the nickname of Zoreil (oreille = ear) which refers to the whites today.
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How to reach the start
Head for Salazie on the D48, then one kilometre after the village, soon after the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, head for Grand Ilet on the right. Pass the Mare à Citron and Mare à Vieille Place pools. At the entrance to Grand Ilet, before the church, turn left towards Bélier. Then at the junction, before arriving at Bélier, continue straight ahead along the bitumen forest road of "Haut Mafate". After 3 km, you arrive at a place called "Bord Martin" where the start of the Augustave channel trail can be found. Continue for 800 m and, after two bends, park your vehicle in the Scout Trail car park on the right of the road. You can also leave your vehicle at the car park (guarded and paid) of Col des Boeufs located 3 km higher up.
Steps
0 km - After leaving the car park, follow the trail in a slight descent under the cover of highland vegetation.
1.0 km - Cross a small ravine, and continue on a slight slope.
1.6 km - A climb lies ahead with a beautiful view towards the summit of Cimendef, and takes you straight to Deux Fesses. The view opens up wonderfully on the north of Mafate, so far that you can see the town of Le Port in the distance.
2.0 km - Continue until you arrive at a junction. The trail on the right leads to the Augustave Channel Trail. Continue straight ahead to reach Plateau de la Sale.
3.2 km – Continuing on, you quickly reach the Grand rein. The precipices to the left and right of the path are hidden by vegetation.
3.6 km - The trail swings from the left flank of the ridge, the start of the Pente Gardien.
4.1 km - Along this Pente Gardien, the trail splits several times. You can take either left or right; on this slope, the forks join up again after just a few dozen metres.
4.7 km - When you reach the Grimaud catchment, take a short break before continuing.
5.4 km - You reach a forest of filaos. Continue straight ahead.
5.6 km - Arriving at La Plaque. Pass the Arbre du Voyageur gite, and after crossing a small dry ravine, head on up to come out above Ilet à Malheur.
7.0 km - Arrive at the first shacks with an amazing view of Ilet à Malheur. At the foot of this descent, you reach the church of Ilet à Malheur, the gite and private campsite of Les Filaos.
1.0 km - Cross a small ravine, and continue on a slight slope.
1.6 km - A climb lies ahead with a beautiful view towards the summit of Cimendef, and takes you straight to Deux Fesses. The view opens up wonderfully on the north of Mafate, so far that you can see the town of Le Port in the distance.
2.0 km - Continue until you arrive at a junction. The trail on the right leads to the Augustave Channel Trail. Continue straight ahead to reach Plateau de la Sale.
3.2 km – Continuing on, you quickly reach the Grand rein. The precipices to the left and right of the path are hidden by vegetation.
3.6 km - The trail swings from the left flank of the ridge, the start of the Pente Gardien.
4.1 km - Along this Pente Gardien, the trail splits several times. You can take either left or right; on this slope, the forks join up again after just a few dozen metres.
4.7 km - When you reach the Grimaud catchment, take a short break before continuing.
5.4 km - You reach a forest of filaos. Continue straight ahead.
5.6 km - Arriving at La Plaque. Pass the Arbre du Voyageur gite, and after crossing a small dry ravine, head on up to come out above Ilet à Malheur.
7.0 km - Arrive at the first shacks with an amazing view of Ilet à Malheur. At the foot of this descent, you reach the church of Ilet à Malheur, the gite and private campsite of Les Filaos.
- 1096 meters of difference in height
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- Start altitude : 1647 m
- End altitude : 1639 m
- Maximum altitude : 1656 m
- Minimum altitude : 836 m
- Total positive elevation : 1096 m
- Total negative elevation : -1104 m
- Max positive elevation : 252 m
- Min positive elevation : -244 m
