The Forest of Montravail, reception and hiking areas

Here we are in the town of Saint-Luce, spread over many areas and located in the south of Martinique. The Trois Rivières area is located there, known for its rum with Habitation Trois Rivières. The town of Sainte-Luce offers many views of the Caribbean Sea through its neighborhoods in the hills of the mountains. By the sea, restaurants will offer lobster or lambi. A post office and some souvenir shops will also be at your disposal.

Itinerary

To join the start of the hike, from Fort-de-France, join the A1 speedway then go towards the south of the island (N5). You will go through various roundabouts by Rivière Salée. At the next roundabout, follow the sign to go towards the Trois-Rivières plantation (D7) and at the next roundabout take the second exit (D36). After a few minutes, turn right at the fork (Voie Communale des Bambous), this way will offer magnificent views of the Caribbean Sea. After a ten-minute drive, you will arrive at the end of the road where you will have to turn left to go towards the Forest of Montravail. If you are leaving from the south of the island, go towards the north of the island by the N5 and after passing the municipality of Sainte-Luce, at the second roundabout, a sign will indicate the direction of the plantation Trois- Rivers (D7) then follow the route above.

On the municipal road, you can already see that with the altitude, the vegetation and the environment are wetter.

Park there, many parking spaces are available.

Tip: To park easily, prefer to come during the week because the weekend, this place is very popular and quickly invaded by families who wish to be entertained (petanque or other) or eat.

You will see that there are many tables to eat and playgrounds. This is one of the three reception areas offered by the Montravail Forest.

The Forest Montravail covers an area of 70 hectares and is composed mainly of Mahoganys and plant varieties that are generally observable in the wettest areas of the island. It is remarkable to observe these hydrophilic species in the south of the island (arboricultural fern, balisier, …).

You are on the reception area “Le Foyer” and you can also reach the reception areas of “Le Fromager” and “Man Marie” by footpaths and tracks that can bring you closer by car. Tables and barbecue will be available for a picnic with family or friends, some of which is accessible to people with disabilities. A petanque court is even open to the public.

Several hikes are also possible from this reception area as you can see on the sign above. We chose to make the Great Loop with a friend. Access is to the left of the reception area and recognizable as there is a wooden layout under which you can pass to start the hike. The length of the course is 4 kilometers and it took us 1h- 1h30 to do it.

Few climbs, there are no big difficulties and with a good pair of tennis shoes you will be able to walk optimally in the middle of the trails.

You will see from the beginning a color code to indicate you which path you are on. Carefully observe the color codes and wooden poles that you will encounter along your way through the forest.

After a few minute walks, you will be in the heart of the forest. The trails are well maintained and you only have to watch for the roots of trees that can cause falls.

After about fifteen minute walks, you will find yourself on a path leading you along clearings.

Observe the trees along the way, you will have the opportunity to find mangoes ready to be picked. This is the Mango Bassignac variety that you will find everywhere in Martinique. Continue to a junction where you will turn right.

Continue your way to the junction where you will see this building, you will have to turn right to follow the path of the Great Loop. Signs will continue to direct you.

After a few minutes of descent into the forest, you will have to cross the Léonard River, passing over the rocks. The path continues on the other side of the river and takes you to the reception area “Le Fromager”.

Arriving at the top of the path, take on your right in direction of the reception area, you will see a majestic cheese maker. A tablet will teach you about the mystical legends around this tree inhabited by spirits and whose wool (called Kapok), very cottony, which surrounds its seeds used to be used to make lifejackets or garnish cushions or mattresses. It is present throughout the West Indies arc.

Retrace your steps and take on your right, the path continues and goes up in the forest.

The path takes you to another reception area “Man Marie” where tables are available for picnicking. Cross the reception area and take the stairs to join the continuation of the loop passing behind a picnic table.

The rest of the trail is behind this picnic area (photo below).

You have seen sculptures on the previous reception area, these are exhibited works for the Forest Art with a Mahogany essence from this forest. Each work tells a story that you can follow by downloading an application on your Smartphone. Here is a sculpture that you will have the opportunity to see on the end of the hike.

After stopping in front of this sculpture, retrace your steps and continue to follow the marked path. Turn right at the red arrows, and you will quickly see the departure area.

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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.