Welcome in the municipality of Saint-Anne located in the south of the island. The municipality of Saint-Anne is known for the Club Med, the beaches of white sand located on its territory. ( (Grande et Petite Anse des Salines, Anse Caritan, Anse Meunier, Anse Michel, ….). Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the territory of the municipality of Sainte-Anne offers numerous nautical activities because of its geolocalisation taking advantage of the Atlantic wind (Windsurfing and Kyte surf for example), sailing and fishing on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
In its town, the municipality offers a covered market, seaside restaurants and has in its center, a magnificent church (Church of Our Lady of Sainte-Anne) classified historical monument. In terms of services, there is a post office, distributors, numerous shops and a gas station at the entrance to the town.
This territory takes advantage of its attractive environment and invite you to discover the beaches, hikes and seabed.
The trek of “La Savane des Petrifications” and its beach “Anse Trabaud” are part of this richness. This stretch is part of this great hike reputed “La Trace des Caps”. The trek is composed of 5 sections that when added up, gives a course of 27 kilometers with at least 11 to 12 hours of walking.
- Petit Macabou – Cap Macré (5 km, 2h),
- Cap Macré – Cap Chevalier (7 km, 3h),
- Cap Chevalier – Baie des Anglais (6 km, 2h30),
- Anse Trabaud – Salines (5 km, 2h),
- Salines – Anse Caritan (4,5 km, 1h30)
The Savane des Pétrifications is a family-friendly hike of about 4 kilometers with a round-trip time of 1 hour to 1h30 from Plum Cove. Count 6.5 kilometers with 3:00 to 3:30 walk (return) from the Grande Anse des Salines. The positive level difference is low and you will only have to cross a few climbs of short time.
This stretch will take you to a beautiful isolated beach, the Anse Trabaud, which is also but difficult to reach by car (easier by pickup) and which requires payment of two euros per vehicle in order to pass on a private road.
So much to combine effort and comfort for the most adventurous among you!
Itinerary
To get to the starting point of the hike, from Fort-de-France, join the A1 expressway and then head towards the south of the island (N5). You will pass through two roundabouts on the municipality of Ducos (zones of activities) then two other roundabouts in the town of Rivière-Salée. Follow the direction of the municipality of the Marin. After passing the commune of Sainte-Luce then the market town of Marin, turn right towards the town of Sainte-Anne (D9). Go past the gendarmerie and at the roundabout, always follow the direction of the town of Sainte-Anne then follow the direction of “Salines” and continue to go towards the south of the island. Arriving a few meters from the beach of Grande Anse des Salines, take on your left in order to go along the ponds of the Salines and the side in the direction of the “Table of the Devil” or “Anse à Prunes“. This seaside road is quite damaged with the passage of vehicles, wind erosion and rain. You will have gullies to cross then keep driving along the beach, you will then reach the end of the road, the parking lot is there. It is the departure of the hike.
Savane des Pétrifications
You will not have difficulties to park.
At the end of the woods, the path becomes rockier. You enter the “Savane of Petrifications“. This site is an old volcano, it is part of the ancient arch of the Antilles, the oldest territory that you will trample in Martinique (The Peninsula of the Caravelle is also part of it). You enter an arid environment where you will observe many geological formations eroded by time, rain and wind.
TIP: Do not forget sun cream, caps, hats, sunglasses and water there is no shade on this hike.
After a few minute walk and observing possible crabs of earth living in the mangrove, you come across a first obstacle to cross.
As magnificent as it may be, it can be problematic to move from rock to rock when the tide is high. So you need to have a good sense of balance when that is the case. Inform yourself about the tides on the SHOM (harbor “Le Vauclin”) in order to have the privilege to put your feet in the water and also to take no risks ..
Otherwise if you have good shoes, you can go across walking in the water.
Go from rock to rock to get to the other side of the shore. You will find an information post after that will indicate what to do next.
The rocky and sandy path takes you towards the beach of Anse Trabaud.
Enjoy getting closer to the seaside and the wonderful views of the various small coves that run along the course.
The trail becomes more and more rocky, the various cactus are appearing, the vegetation lying by the wind perfectly follows the geological formations all around you.
You may cross cyclists on the trail, as the hike is also a route that can be used by cycling enthusiasts. The path goes up to Pointe d’Enfer. It is a panoramic point on the whole of the Anses near the trail. Look around and admire the panorama.
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You can also approach the edge of the cliff but be very careful.
You can then observe this magnificent view of the cliff swept by the waves coming from the Atlantic Ocean.
Pointe d’Enfer
The trail takes you along the seaside and you can observe in the distance the beach of Anse Trabaud and close to you atypical geological formations due to volcanism and erosion by elements and time.
On the horizon the beach of Anse Trabaud
Geological formation
After about fifteen minutes, you come out of this arid environment to immerse yourself in a backdrop vegetation of Bernard l’Hermite, Earth Crabs, Anolis, butterflies, …
The “Touloulou” and the “Patate Bord de mer”
Always go straight on the trail then you will have the opportunity to take to your right if you prefer to walk along the beach. For information, this cove is also known to be frequented by people wishing to do nudism. I advise to go further in order to be the most comfortable, the beach is large and you will find without any difficulty your little corner of paradise.
You will find many natural small areas in the shade of coconut palms or grapes to enjoy a nap in the shade and avoid sunburn.
The beach is yours, enjoy!
Click on this link to have a first video preview of the beach on our Facebook page.
For the less reckless or the people not able to make this excursion, this beach is accessible by vehicle.
You will see on the road at the second roundabout after the gendarmerie of the Marin (“Le Moulin d’Or”), a sign indicating the direction of Anse Trabaud. The road is damaged and you will have to pay two euros per vehicle to pass on a private road joining the car park of beach (privilege a vehicle adapted).
You will not have any trouble parking.
You will only have to cross the barrier and walk five minutes to reach the beach.
| 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 Facilites : good pair of hiking shoes or tennis shoes, bag with (knife, rain coat, lamp, hats or caps, sun glasses, sun cream and mosquito repelent). Ø Sanitary conditions: – Difficulty : 4/10, this hike a little sportive, envisageable for the whole family. the sun and the conditions can be dfficult because there is little shade during the hike. So do not forget to protect yourself. – Try to start the hike early in the morning, as the hike is always under the sun therefore the heat during the day requires a 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 botlle of water per person and a snack in your bag. Others : during this hike you will be able to relax and to swim in different beaches of small and big Anse des Salines, Anse Michel. You can also visit the village in the municipality of Saint Anne (Chemin du Calvaire) and enjoy the shops in the city but also enjoying a drink on the beach. The view of the bay during the sunset is beautiful. |
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OLIVIER Damien, your humble guide
1 Comment
Anse Tonnoir – Grande Anse des Salines, à la découverte du littoral Caribéen de Sainte-Anne – Dom Loisirs et Culture · Wednesday June 12th, 2019 at 08:36 AM
[…] Arrivé au bout de la ligne droite, vous êtes à la fin de la randonnée. Pour les plus courageux vous pouvez continuer la Trace des Caps et rejoindre la Savane des Pétrification et l’Anse Trabaud. […]