The magnificent hike of Grand’Rivière – Prêcheur

 

Welcome to the Municipalities of Grand-Rivière and Prêcheur located in the North Caribbean of the island. These two municipalities are quite isolated and have the peculiarity to have a low demography and live mainly from fishing. The seabeds located near these municipalities are very rich and are also very well preserved by the local population. Many buildings on these towns are classified as historical monuments (bell tower, lighthouse, church, school) and mainly nautical activities (diving, fishing, surfing, snorkeling will enchant you). The Habitation Céron and the most beautiful tree of 2016 (Zamana) also resides on the municipality of  the Prêcheur. Finally, you will have other activities available such as the Cascade Couleuvre, the Prêcheur-Grand’Rivière hike, the climb of Mount Pelée or canyoning. These are two peaceful towns that will disorient you and make you discover places that have kept all their charm of yesteryear such as the beaches of Anse Couleuvre or Anse Lévrier. It’s up to you to explore them.

Itinerary

 

 

Rise early in the morning, from Fort-de-France (more than an hour drive), take the A1 towards the north of the island (Schoelcher, Case-Pilote). Pass several roundabouts and here you are on the N2. Continue your road and pass the towns of Case-Pilote, Bellefontaine, Le Carbet then Saint-Pierre. Here you are on the D10 towards the commune of Prêcheur. Pass the town, you will see indications for the Habitation Céron particular. Follow the direction of Anse Couleuvre, you will take a concrete road made of many uphill turns and channels. Take them carefully as they can be rough enough to drive. At the end of the road, you will come to a small car park that can be quickly full. If so, you are forced to drive around and park on the side of the road.

First tip: Leave early to arrive before 9 am  so you do not have too much trouble to park near the start of the hike. Otherwise, you will be forced to park on the side of the road by turning around on the parking lot

 

The Grand’Rivière hike – Prêcheur or Prêcheur – Grand’Rivière has a particularity, you will have to do a part of the way by boat. Indeed, you will go along the entire North Caribbean coast for nearly 5 hours on a course of 16 kilometers and a total elevation gain of 907 m total. You can choose to make the boat trip from Anse Couleuvre to the port of Grand’Rivière or conversely to return by boat to Anse Couleuvre ..

Equip yourself with a backpack (two bottles of water, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, knife, picnic, tap, sunglasses), good shoes, light clothing, or even athletes, a hat or cap, a hiking stick. You are ready for the longest hike in Martinique.

We made the choice to go by boat from Anse Couleuvre to Grand’Rivière so as not to have a bad surprise for our return (weather conditions or in terms of walking time) and not to worry about our return to our vehicle.

Take the path to the old ruins of the Habitation Couleuvre then go to the beach of Anse Couleuvre where the boat will be waiting for you on the right. (You must first call him in the week to arrange the appointment time on the beach). We went through the company “Au fil des Anses”. It costs 15 euros per person and the trip will take about twenty minutes.

 

If you want a glimpse of the boat trip, here’s a video showing you the beauty of the northern Caribbean coast. Click on the image below.

 

When you arrive on the port of the municipality of Grand’Rivière, you must turn on your right towards the street Kay Man Lacide, take the then walk straight to arrive next to the church. Take on your right and you will see the town hall of Grand’Rivière. Take the direction of the Habitation Fond Moulin to find the starting point of the hike. The Habitation Fond Moulin is another hike (loop) that you can add to your initial course that will make a detour for at least an hour

Walk 5 minutes to arrive to the starting point of the hike.

Starting point

 

 

The path begins with a climb on a concrete road that can be slippery with moisture and moss, after a few laces, you reach the top.

 

Then the road goes down to a wooden walkway.

 

A new hiking information sign will be posted. The trail goes up and you go along banana.

 

Cross the three small water stream that follow and here you are in front of a staircase that will take you on a steep path with many laces

 

Count with 30 to 45 minutes walking to reach the summit. You will have on your way, different views of the canal of Dominica or the village of Grand’Rivière.

 

You will see that trees have red dots. These are landmarks to let you know the arboreal species encountered during this hike. You will encounter wooden poles with numbers on them (especially number 12 first). These poles are a good indicator of how far you have to go

 

After passing, you will still have an hour of walking on a path along the seaside, then the path down to the River crayfish and then start again in the long ascent of Petit Morne. You can take a break at the top and admire the lush vegetation that surrounds you.

.

The hike continues downhill to the Trois Bras River. It is possible to go up to see the waterfall Trois Bras but this greatly extends your initial hike.

 

 

 

Cross the river then go back up to reach the tunnel that indicates that you are halfway through.

 

Pass the tunnel and the trail goes down, you will cross a beautiful “ Fromager”. Admire this majestic tree and these spectacular roots.

 

Continue your way and after 20 minutes of walking, you will arrive on a flat portion, you are in Cape St. Martin. This is the junction between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Walk to the clearing through the mango alley.

 

This is the only place accessible by helicopter for interventions.

 

 

Below, you have a magnificent view of the beach of Anse des Galets.

 

The trail goes down towards the Ravine des Galets then goes up to the top of Le Morne in Lianes.

 

 

The ascent of the Morne à Lianes ends with a magnificent view of the beaches of Anse Lévrier and the Anse à Voile separated by a rocky point.

 

 

Continue your way, the route ends on a long descent to the Couleuvre River where there will be a delicate passage to pass.

 

A rope has been put in place at this junction to facilitate your passage.

 

Continue your way to a next intersection allowing you to go down to the beach of Anse Lévrier.

 

 

Take on your left to continue down to Rivière Couleuvre. Cross it and you are back at the starting parking of the hike.

 

You can now take a dive at Anse Couleuvre to relax after this long hike or for the bravest, hike to the Cascade Couleuvre.

 

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 : 8/10,  sportive hike with difference of height, can be done with a baby carrier and kids other 10 years old. This hike can be difficult due to the heat. –               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. Others : you can go through the trail of Cascade Couleuvre, go swim at the  Anse Couleuvre. You can also drive to the Habitation Céron and visit it and see the Zamana (most beautiful tree in France in 2016).

Do not hesitate to post you commentaries or to ask for information on contact@domloisirsetculture.fr.

Subscribe on our page on Facebook, where you will discover a new article or video every week.

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.