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Ilet à Vidot - Source Manouilh
Walking/pedestrian
in Salazie
2.9
km
One-way
Walking/pedestrian
1h 30min
Easy
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Source Manouilh (Manouilh Spring)
Manouilh, from his real name Lucien Emmanuel Lucilly, died in 1977. First a poacher and then part vagrant, part herbal tea maker, it was in 1916, during a walk in the forest, that he discovered at the foot of a wall, several hot springs surrounded by deposits of an ochre colour. These waters are heavily laden with dissolved limestone and petrify the nearest plants, thus fossilising the vegetable matter. These waters rise from the depths through fractures...Source Manouilh (Manouilh Spring)
Manouilh, from his real name Lucien Emmanuel Lucilly, died in 1977. First a poacher and then part vagrant, part herbal tea maker, it was in 1916, during a walk in the forest, that he discovered at the foot of a wall, several hot springs surrounded by deposits of an ochre colour. These waters are heavily laden with dissolved limestone and petrify the nearest plants, thus fossilising the vegetable matter. These waters rise from the depths through fractures visible on the wall at a temperature of approximately 31°C. Also containing iron, the water deposits this iron on the limestone concretions, producing this ochre colour when the iron oxidises.
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How to reach the start
Head for Salazie on the D48, then one kilometre after the village, at the junction shortly after the Voile de la Mariée waterfall, continue straight ahead towards Hell-Bourg. Pass through Hell-Bourg and turn left towards Ilet à Vidot. At the end of this road, don’t turn right towards Ilet à Vidot, but left towards Bé Mahot, the stadium. A panel also indicates Terre Plate and Cap Anglais. Continue ahead through the right hairpin turn, then take the road on the right. It leads to the stadium and fish farm where you can park your vehicle. To find the start of the path, walk along the stadium to the right and take the alley between the stadium and the shacks.
You can also take the trail from Ilet à Vidot which joins this one at Terre Plate.
You can also take the trail from Ilet à Vidot which joins this one at Terre Plate.
Steps
0 km: A sign points to the Terre Plate Trail - follow it. This trail climbs gently towards the Terre Plate rampart.
0.4 km: At this point, the rampart is not very high, barely 90 metres. Continue the easy climb.
1.1 km: You arrive quickly at the shelter overlooking Ilet à Vidot. The trail continues to climb on a very gentle slope.
1.6 km: The trail continues fairly flat all the way to the junction. To the right, the path descends to Ilet à Vidot. Continue on the path to the left, signed Source Manouilh. The climb resumes under the cryptomerias.
1.9 km: The trail gets closer to the ravine of the Rivière du Mât and continues to climb. You start to see the slopes of Piton des Neiges up close.
2.2 km: The trail begins to descend into the ravine of the Rivière du Mât and the cryptomeria forest gives way to traditional vegetation of the humid highlands.
2.6 km: During the descent, you can admire the many waterfalls of the Rivière du Mât, then you arrive at a rustic wooden 2-metre ladder which helps you get down.
2.8 km: You arrive at the Rivière du Mât which takes its source on Piton des Neiges. An information panel provides some explanation about these springs. Cross the Rivière du Mât; the springs are on the other bank.
0.4 km: At this point, the rampart is not very high, barely 90 metres. Continue the easy climb.
1.1 km: You arrive quickly at the shelter overlooking Ilet à Vidot. The trail continues to climb on a very gentle slope.
1.6 km: The trail continues fairly flat all the way to the junction. To the right, the path descends to Ilet à Vidot. Continue on the path to the left, signed Source Manouilh. The climb resumes under the cryptomerias.
1.9 km: The trail gets closer to the ravine of the Rivière du Mât and continues to climb. You start to see the slopes of Piton des Neiges up close.
2.2 km: The trail begins to descend into the ravine of the Rivière du Mât and the cryptomeria forest gives way to traditional vegetation of the humid highlands.
2.6 km: During the descent, you can admire the many waterfalls of the Rivière du Mât, then you arrive at a rustic wooden 2-metre ladder which helps you get down.
2.8 km: You arrive at the Rivière du Mât which takes its source on Piton des Neiges. An information panel provides some explanation about these springs. Cross the Rivière du Mât; the springs are on the other bank.
- 434 meters of difference in height
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- Start altitude : 1074 m
- End altitude : 1333 m
- Maximum altitude : 1472 m
- Minimum altitude : 1074 m
- Total positive elevation : 434 m
- Total negative elevation : -174 m
- Max positive elevation : 139 m
- Min positive elevation : -103 m
