Welcome to the town of Anses d’Arlet, located in the south-west of the island. This seaside community is known for its seasonal villas, diving schools and seaside restaurants.
The service stations are located at the borders of the town, at Anse à l’Âne or in the town of Diamant.
The beaches of this town have very rich seabed where the wearing of Masks, Flippers and Snorkels are mandatory to discover this!
In addition to these magnificent beaches, the territory also has walking routes that allow you to enjoy the view from the various hills over the beaches and the Caribbean Sea. These routes generally make it possible to join the beaches together in order to link sporting activity and family relaxation. The Cap Salomon hike is the very example of an idyllic family route, allowing you to discover marine biodiversity (snorkelling route), the history of the community (military) or even the different seaside ecosystems (mangrove , drought-tolerant forest).
Itinerary
To access the start of this hike, starting from Fort-de-France, head south of the island (A1, N5) and take the Trois Ilets (D7) exit. Cross the town of Trois Ilets, then go towards Anse à l’Âne, pass in front of this beach and continue straight. The road is uphill and you will have many turns (be careful). You can also access this beach via the town of Diamant by taking the D7 which will take you through a roundabout with a Lambi sculpture. Take the first exit, in the direction of Grande Anse beach and you will see on your right after two minutes of driving, a prohibited direction (on weekends) telling you to turn right to reach the beach.
After going through this small detour, you find yourself at a stop sign where you can turn right or left to find a place on the side of the road. The beach is right in front of you, hidden behind the various buildings (restaurants, convenience stores, diving club, etc.).
Take on your right, continue your road and you can take further on your left to access different car parks.
One is located near the beach directly on your left after a hundred meters.
Or the other, a very spacious car park located two minutes on your right after passing next to a blue footbridge.
Different possibilities are therefore available to you, the one that I advise you to park in this last parking lot and orient yourself on foot to the right along the street to the starting point of the hike. You will have more facilities to find a place.
The Cap Salomon
The Cap Salomon hike is a land loop accessible to the whole family. The route measures approximately 3 kilometers and lasts 1h30 to 2h. The path will make you discover different ecosystems (dry forest, mangrove,….), a snorkelling course for marine biodiversity and the ruins of a military battery.
To get to the starting point of the loop, pass in front of the Ti Sable restaurant and take the uphill path on your right. Continue straight until you reach a wooden staircase which you will see on your left with the information board (photo above).
Along these first meters you will already have nice little views of the cove.
Take the wooden staircase that directs you to the seaside and quickly to a snorkelling course (underwater path) in less than 15 minutes.
Information panels are located near the route to explain what you will have the opportunity to observe. Five buoys form a discovery trail of marine biodiversity.
Passage for launching to the underwater trail
Continue the route along the seaside until you reach a new information panel on the mangrove. You will have a wooden passage allowing you to get closer to the coast in order to cross the mangrove and enjoy a view of the cove.
Retrace your steps and turn left to continue on the path.
The path becomes steeper and you arrive at an intersection after a few minutes of climbing. Take a left to discover the ruins of the military battery or take a right by the stairs if you wish to continue the loop.
The route of the ruines
On this path you will see on your left a rock on which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Grande Anse d’Arlet.
View from the rover
Continue straight ahead and you will soon arrive at the tip of Cap Salomon where an information panel on the military history of the sector is in place. You will have a view of the Caribbean Sea and the remains of the foundations of the time.
A little history …..
The Cap Salomon Battery was built in 1762 during the occupation of Martinique by the English. The battery located in the extension of the hills Yoyo and Baguidi was very important strategically in the defense of Martinique. She crossed her fires with the battery of Pointe Burgos to prevent any ship from entering the bay of Grande Anse. It also protected Anses Noire and Dufour and Ilet Ramier because enemy boats had to pass through this passage. In 1878, it was abandoned and today only the ruins of the powder magazine and the barracks remain.
View from the battery over the Caribbean Sea
The end of the loop
Retrace your steps after going through the military battery to take the stairs and continue the ascent of Morne Baguidi (146 m).
During your ascent, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Grande Anse.
The path becomes less steep. You cross the Morne forest to a new information post. Boulders are located nearby as well as another hiking trail taking you to Anse Dufour.
Continue your way straight to arrive on the concrete road of departure. You will see a directional sign pointing you to Anse Dufour.
Take your way back in the opposite direction to find yourself on the starting lane.
It’s up to you to go on an adventure now !
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In terms of advice, Ø Traffic in Martinique: During the week, you will face traffic jams around industrial or commercial areas, especially in the morning, in the direction of the South (Rivières Salée, N5) to the North (Fort-de-France, A1) and from the East (Robert, N1) to the North (Fort-de-France, A1), from 7 am to 9.30 am, and vice versa at the end of the evening from 5 pm to 6.30 pm. Think about your route in order to adapt to this traffic which can be dense and easily waste time. Ø Equipment: Good pair of sneakers that grip or hiking shoes, hiking stick, sportswear, hiking bag (knife, flashlight, headlamp, k-way, cap, sunglasses, sunscreen). Ø Health: – Difficulty: 5 out of 10, rhythmic walk with slight elevation changes over short distances, possible with a baby carrier or with children over 6 years old. – In normal times, always start the hikes at the earliest in the morning after it is up to you to judge what you want to do like me (sunset). The daytime heat during minimal sporting activity can become quite stifling. – Go at your own pace and plan the time you will need based on your physical condition. – Most important, always a bottle of water per person and something to snack in your bag. With the heat, all fairly physical hikes can be dangerous with fatigue. Miscellaneous: you can go swimming nearby at Grande Anse or Petite Anse beaches. Don’t forget your flippers, masks and snorkel. |
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Dom Loisirs et Culture at your service.
OLIVIER Damien, your humble guide
2 Comments
Anse Dufour – Grande Anse d’Arlet, à la découverte des mares temporaires. – Dom Loisirs et Culture · Monday September 24th, 2018 at 01:33 PM
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Sentier de Anse Mathurin à Four à Chaux – Dom Loisirs et Culture · Sunday July 26th, 2020 at 07:13 PM
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