recommended route
Stage 1
Around the Mafate Valley (GR R3) - Stage 1
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Bergdorf im Talkessel MafatePhoto: IRT / E. Virin
The first stage of the five-stage Mafate circumnavigation leads from the Col de Bœufs pass to the small settlement of Aurère in the north of the valley basin. The route is mainly downhill on a beautiful hiking trail, the Sentier Scout. The path is partly secured with a steel rope.
Every time we step out of the dense forest, impressive views of the northern basin and the pointed summit of Piton Cabris open up during the stage.
At the end of the stage we come to the oldest settlement in Mafate, Aurère. Once founded by an escaped slave, the village is now home to less than a hundred people. There are several small gîtes, which offer simple but cosy öts for hikers to stay overnight.
Author’s recommendation
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Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
We chose the parking lot at the Départ de Sentier Scout as the starting point of our tour. If you continue along the road to its end below the Col de Bœufs, you will find more (also guarded) parking spaces, but then you have to hike back to the starting point of the tour.
At the beginning of our hike, we follow the signs "Départ de Sentier Scout" onto the path that leads us down to the right to the north. We first walk through the forest, then up a rock face secured with a steel rope and finally along the long saddle of Le Grand Rein with its fascinating distant views. The Mafate valley spreads out below us, while the striking cone of Piton Cabris rises up in front of us.
Continue on the trail.
We continue downhill, sometimes steeply, until we reach the small hamlets of Îlet à Malheur les Hauts and, a little later Îlet à Malheur. We follow the Sentier Scout straight on until the next crossroads. Here we go up to the right, following the signs to Aurère. The path leads us into the middle of the village. If you prefer to walk through the village from the south, go straight on for a while and take the right-hand path to Aurère at the next junction.
Public transport
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Directions
From Salazie drive to Grand Îlet, from there take the pass road up to the car park at Col des Bœufs.Parking
Many parking spaces at the end of the street on the Col des B&oelig, one of which is guarded (subject to tolls).Coordinates
Equipment
Sturdy shoes, weatherproof clothing, enough water and provisionsLocalization
Weather at the route's trailhead
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