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Martinique South Atlantic Hikes Part 2 |
Sections 2, 3 and 4: Cul-de-Sac Ferre to Cap Chevalier and Anse Trabaud to Grande Anse des Salines | |||
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Sections 2 and 3: Cul-de-Sac Ferre to Cap Chevalier (1.5 hours) and Cap Chevalier-Trabaud (1.5 hours). After passing Trou Cadia and Pointe la Rose, which enclose Cul-de-Sac Ferre with impressive, sea-carved cliffs, follow the beach of Grande Anse du Cap Ferre to the cape proper. From there, you can take in the entire coastline, from Pointe Macre to Chevalier Island. Next, walk along Anse la Balle and its beautiful stand of coconut palms. Past Pointe des Ebichets (where you may see frigate birds in flight), you'll walk along the shore of Anse Noire, divided by a small cliff. On Anse Esprit or Anse au Bois you may see several long, narrow fishing boats made of gum trees. The next section of Cap Chevalier is a popular spot where a number of locals have vacation homes. The path turns inland in order to avoid both the private homes and the mangroves bordering the coast. You'll rejoin the water at Baie des Anglais, which has some of Martinique's most beautiful mangroves. (Opposite the bay is the summit of Pointe Jaham. It would take about 1.5 hours to reach because of the deep mangrove forest growing well inland.) Remaining on the beach, when you're in sight of "les Anglais des Grottes," you'll need to cross a small bridge to the west bank. In the rainy season, this can be tricky. Next, you'll pass beneath Baie des Anglais and the western flank of Morne a Vache before descending to Anse Trabaud, one of Martinique's most beautiful beaches. Section 4: Anse Trabaud to Grande Anse des Salines (1.5hours). Walking the length of Anse Trabaud, you'll enter the Savane des Petrifications, a former petrified forest. Unfortunately, almost all the fossilized wood has been removed. Next is a very dry savannah, bordered by dramatic cliffs perpetually beaten by the waves of the Canal of Sainte-Lucie, where sea birds nest. After Pointe d'Enfer, Anse Baham and Anse de l'Ecluse, you'll see the "Devil's Table" and the little island of Cabrits, the southernmost point of the island. A lighthouse and weather station occupy the summit. Next, you'll walk along l'Etang des Salines to the south and reach Pointe des Salines, where you'll find one of the most popular tourist spots on the island: Salines Beach, planted with coconut palms, sea grapes, manchineels, and pear trees, recognizable by their pale pink flowers.
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