Welcome to the town of Le Prêcheur, a town located in the North Caribbean of the island. This commune, isolated, has the particularity of having a low population and living mainly from fishing. The seabed, located near this town, is very rich and is also very well preserved by the local population. Many buildings in this town are classified as historical monuments and the mainly nautical activities (diving, fishing, surfing, snorkeling) will enchant you. The Habitation Céron and the most beautiful tree of 2016 (Zamana) also resides in the commune of Le Prêcheur. Finally, you will have other activities available such as the Cascade Couleuvre, the Prêcheur -Grand’Rivière hike, the ascent of Mount Pelée or even canyoning. It is a peaceful town that will make you disorientated and make you discover places that have kept all their charm of yesteryear such as the beaches of Anse Couleuvre, Anse Lévrier or Anse à Voile. It’s up to you to explore them.
The Anses du Nord hike will make you discover black sand beaches in idyllic settings. This path, comprising a loop, is accessible to the whole family (depending on physical condition) and covers approximately three kilometers (round trip). You will enjoy discovering these two little paradises, Lévrier and Sailing coves. You will have a positive elevation on the outward journey with some short climbs.
I forgot to mention Anse des Galets because it is more difficult to access in terms of time and physical condition but you will have the link soon of the article to access it. It is part for months of the Anses du Nord to discover also.
Itinerary
To access this hike starting from Fort-de-France (allow more than an hour’s drive), take the A1 towards the north of the island (Schoelcher, Case-Pilote). Pass several roundabouts and here you are on the N2. Continue on your way and pass the towns of Case-Pilote, Bellefontaine, Le Carbet then Saint-Pierre. Here you are on the D10 towards the town of Le Prêcheur. Pass the town, you will see indications for the Habitation Céron in particular. Follow the direction of Anse Couleuvre, you will take a concrete road made of many turns and gullies. Take them carefully as they can be quite rough to pass by car. At the end of the road, you will come to a small car park which can be quickly filled. If so, you are forced to turn around and park on the side of the road.
First tip: Leave early to arrive before 9 a.m. so you don’t have too much trouble parking nearby. Otherwise, you will have to park on the side of the road by turning around in the parking lot.
From the car park, directly on your right you will see the information board for the hike to the Cascade Couleuvre. Ignore it and move forward to cross the river. At the next fork, turn right and go up towards the information panel.
Les Anses du Nord : Anse Lévrier and Anse à Voile.
Here you are at the start of the Prêcheur – Grand’Rivière hiking trail, which you can also find on our website. Take advantage of this slight climb to gradually dive into the hygrophilous vegetation. After about thirty minutes you will already have a magnificent panorama on your left.
A few more minutes of effort and you arrive at a new junction, indicating the direction either of the town of Grand’Rivière or of Anse Lévrier.
Magnificent panorama of Anse Couleuvre before the fork
Take the left path down to the first of two beautiful black sand beaches. You are at the beginning of the loop included in the hike.
Here you are on the beach of Anse Lévrier, the setting is splendid with its vegetation and these rocky cliffs adorned with dense and luxuriant vegetation. Popular with people who like bivouacs, it is generally not too crowded.
Which explains these traces of a sea turtle that came to lay eggs on the beach before my arrival.
Click on this link to have a first video preview of the beach on our Facebook page.
Following the hike, resume your journey along the cove through the back beach vegetation. You will find a path with a slight elevation gain which after 15 minutes will take you to Anse à Voile.
Just before this climb you will see another path on your right, this is the continuation of the loop that you will be taking earlier.
The path descends just after to orient you and make you discover this second little corner of paradise.
Here you are on Anse à Voile, same setting, a place of zenitude with the sound of the waves where you will take the time to swim and relax after this hour of walking.
Click on this link to have a first video preview of the beach on our Facebook page.
After enjoying the setting of this beach, retrace your steps to recover the loop path. Take the path seen on the outward journey which will direct you to the bed of a river which you will have to cross after having walked along it for about ten meters.
After crossing the stream, you will still need some effort since you are on the most sporty part of the hike.
If you also wish, you can simply go through Anse Lévrier.
The path is steep and slippery. Take your precautions.
At the top of the slope, you will see this small information post. Take the path in front of you and not on your left to return to the starting parking lot.
Continue on your way to enjoy a new view of Anse Couleuvre on your return. Why not take a swim too and discover the ruins of the Habitation located just next door. Here is the link.
It’s up to you to discover these magnificent coves now !
|
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 trip the day before 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, swimsuit, mosquito repellent, cap, goggles sunscreen, sunscreen). Ø Health: – Difficulty: 5 out of 10, slightly sporty walk with positive gradients over short distances, possible with a baby carrier for the more adventurous or with children over 6 years old (depending on physical condition). The heat can make this hike sporty. – In normal times, always start the hikes at the earliest in the morning after it’s up to you. The daytime heat during minimal sporting activity can become quite stifling. This hike has the advantage of being in the shade of the forest. – 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. Provide several bottles of water given the walking time. Miscellaneous: You can take the Cascade Couleuvre trail, take a swim at Anse Couleuvre. You can also take the road again, visit the Habitation Céron and see its Zamana (most beautiful tree in France of the year 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
1 Comment
Les Anses du Nord : L’Anse des Galets. – Dom Loisirs et Culture · Sunday February 17th, 2019 at 09:58 AM
[…] qui ont gardé tout leur charme d’antan tels que les plages de l’Anse Couleuvre, l’Anse Lévrier ou encore l’Anse à Voile. A vous de les […]