The Boucle de la Chapelle and its magnificent panoramas

 

 

Welcome to the commune of Morne Vert, located in the heights of the North-West. Land dedicated to culture as the town of Morne Rouge, you will find agricultural landscapes in the middle of territories drawn by the surrounding hills. The culture and vegetation benefit from a cooler and wetter environment due to the altitude of this territory. This town is composed of several districts including the Swiss canton offering magnificent views of the Caribbean Sea, market gardening and Mornes. There are many hikes to be discovered in this area, and nearby.

The Boucle de la Chapelle hike will offer you magnificent panoramic views of Montjoly and the Caribbean Sea. The walk is accessible to all the family and is 4.3 kilometers long. The walking time is from 2h to 2h30 with a positive elevation of 450 m on the slopes of Piton Lacroix. 

Itinerary

 

To access the starting point of the hike, from Fort-de-France, join the A1 then take the direction of the towns of Schoelcher, Case-Pilote and BelleFontaine by the N2. There are two possibilities available to you either by the road D20 (a little after Bellefontaine) or by the road D19 (a little before the Carbet), to reach the municipality of Morne Vert.  When you arrive at the commune, you will have to go  towards the district of Montjoly, then cross a bridge to join the chapel, that is the starting point of the ride. (see photo below)

 

La Boucle de la Chapelle

You can park on the roadside along the chapel. When facing the chapel, take the road behind you. It goes up a little.

 

Starting point of the hike

 

After five minutes of walking, you will see on your right a wooden cabin with an arrow on it. Follow this arrow to follow the course of the loop.

 

The trail takes you on a grassy trail allowing you to contemplate the surrounding landscapes with beautiful panoramic views.

 

The path continues in the middle of a maintained vegetation making you pass on a small hill.

 

Then the trail goes down plunging a little more into the vegetation. Trees and plants become more present. You will arrive on a first passage of watercourse.

 

Cross the river “Tranchette” and the path goes up to a road located in the Swiss Canton of Morne Vert.

 

Take the road on your left and go to the intersection where you will see a funny sign indicating how far is Switzerland from this area.

 

 

Turn left at this junction. This is the hardest part of the hike. The road is long enough to climb and the slope becomes more important over the meters.

A little effort, the reward is at the end of this path!

 

At the last house, you only have a few meters left. The concrete portion stops and you will see a carbet with a picnic table from which you will have a panoramic view of the entire valley and the Caribbean Sea.

 

 

Take the time to take a break on this table and admire the view.

 

Click on this link to have a first video preview of the panoramic view on our Facebook page.

 

Continue your path on the trail that continues to climb. When you arrive at the fork, turn left, this will make you cross a meadow. Go down this meadow diagonally.

You can also continue your way to admire more closely the dull but the path ends on a field with kids and pigs.

Beware of the character of the pigs who do not like to be disturbed. I still remember it.

 

Crossing the meadow, it is difficult to see the marked path at the bottom of it. With a little research in the middle of tall grasses, you will find stairs and a poorly maintained trail.

 

The path takes you down to a second river crossing then it goes back to join a passage making you join the road of the town.

 

At the top of this path, a new panoramic view of the valley and towards the Caribbean Sea is waiting for you.

 

Pass behind the concrete hut, and you will join a concrete road with one side a magnificent view of the Caribbean Sea and the other equally beautiful on the Mornes with vegetable crops at their feet.

 

 

End of the hike, you just have to follow this road that will take you to the starting point. You will cross one of the neighborhoods of the municipality of Morne Vert.

 

TIPS, Ø Circulation in Martinique:  During the weeks you will encounter many traffic jams from 7 a.m. to 9. 30 a.m. in the industrial and commercial areas. Especially mornings driving from south (Rivière Salée, N5) to the North (Fort-de-France, A1), but also East (Robert , N1) going North , you will find the same traffic jams every evening on the other side from 5 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Tip, think of the way and time you want to travel in order not to lose time. Ø Facilities: good pair of hiking shoes or tennis shoes bag with (knife, rain coat, lamp, hats or caps, sun glasses, sun cream and mosquito repellent). Ø  Sanitary conditions: –        Difficulty: 4/10, this hike a little sportive, can be done by the whole family. The hike is under the shade, however the way can be slippery especially when you go through the rivers. –        Try to start the hike early in the morning, as the heat during the day requires minimal sporting activity. –        Take your time and go as you wish, plan the time that you will need depending on your physical condition. –        Important tip: always have a bottle of water per person and a snack in your bag. Normally, always start hiking at the earliest in the morning. The daytime heat during minimal sports activity can become quite stifling. This hike is largely in the shade in the forest except on the course health. Others : you will find other hike in the area such as the Canal des esclaves in Fonds Saint Denis or the Carbet. You can also take the road in direction of the carbet and visit the Habitation Neisson with its exceptional rum, or even go for a swim at the beach’s Carbet.

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Dom Loisirs et Culture at your service.

OLIVIER Damien, your humble guide

 

The Dom Loisirs and Culture team is committed to raising awareness of the protection of the biodiversity of the overseas departments.