Mamelle de Petit-Bourg
Point de vue (vers le sud), à quelques mètres du sommet
Point de vue (vers le sud), à quelques mètres du sommet - C.Lesponne
Petit-Bourg

Mamelle de Petit-Bourg

Geology
Top 10
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This trail encompasses both the rainforest and mountain forest. It offers a range of viewpoints, including of le Petit and le Grand Culs-de-Sac Marins, and even Marie-Galante and la Désirade.


11 points of interest

  • Geology

    How the Mamelles were formed

    While it is believed that the Mamelles were formed only relatively recently, around 1-2 million years ago, the northern chain of which they are a part include the island's ancient volcanoes.

  • Cigale de Guyane
    Cigale de Guyane - F.Hemery
    Fauna

    The Guyanese Cicada

    This cicada (Fidicina mannifera) was accidentally introduced in Guadeloupe and has since become an invasive species. It is recognisable for its substantial body and triangular head, with very short antennae extended from a long, straight trunk. But it is the noise that they make that is their most distinctive feature: the males attempt to court the females with their song. The sounds vary depending on the species and the particular circumstances, and are produced by a sound box consisting of a dual drum made by muscle-powered cymbals. Cicadas have effectively invented a detachable ear: when a male is silent, it listens to other cicadas, but when it sings, it relaxes his eardrum, which means that it becomes temporarily deaf and will not be disturbed by the noise that it makes.

  • Bois bandé (détail de l'écorce)
    Bois bandé (détail de l'écorce) - Fabien Salles / PNG
    Flora

    Bwa bandé

    Richeria grandis belongs to the Phyllanthaceae family. It is a large variety, distinctive for its tough leaves and reddish-brown bark that so often falls victim to rogue extraction. Also known as "bwa bandé" in Créole, it is renowned for its aphrodisiac qualities. Its wood is used as timber or in carpentry. It has very distinctive, green, grape-like fruits which form small pods and form copiously on its branches.

  • palmier montagne
    palmier montagne - Emilie Savy / PNG
    Flora

    The Sierran palm

    The Sierran Palm (Prestoea montana) is a member of the Arecaceae family. Despite its height, the Sierran palm is not a tree. Much like ferns, it does not have a trunk but a stipe. It can live in both hygrophilous forest, where it can reach a height of ten meters, and at altitude, where it does not grow beyond two metres.

  • Balisier
    Balisier - Fabien Salles / PNG
    Flora

    Balisiers

    A member of the Musaceae family, Heliconia caribaea is a large grass that is typical of the Lesser Antilles tropical rainforest. A member of the same family as the banana trees, the plant can grow up to 5 m high. It features an inflorescence that resembles a red ear or red ear with yellow trim, or sometimes completely yellow. Its flowers are visible all year round, most notably between April and June.

  • vue sur le Morne-à-Louis
    vue sur le Morne-à-Louis - PNG
    Viewpoint

    Viewpoint

    Opening with views of the Caribbean Sea, la Mamelle de Pigeon and le Morne à Louis towards the west.

  • "Oreilles d'éléphant"
    "Oreilles d'éléphant" - Fabien Salles / PNG
    Flora

    Giant Philodendron

    The Giant Philodendron (Philodendron giganteum) is an epiphytic or terrestrial species that flourishes in humid or shady areas. It grows equally well from the earth as it does on rock or in trees. It develops copious long aerial roots which are used in basketry and boasts very large, dark green leaves that are fleshy and shiny. Each leaf is supported by a large petiole measuring between 0.6 and 1.5 metres, which grows from a large yet short stem resting on trunks or rocks.

  • vue sur les crêtes vers le nord Basse-Terre
    vue sur les crêtes vers le nord Basse-Terre - PNG
    Viewpoint

    The northern Basse Terre mountain range

    Views of the mountain range and the northern Basse-Terre ridge.

  • "De la terre à la mer"
    "De la terre à la mer" - Emilie Savy / PNG
    Viewpoint

    From land to sea

    Opening onto the sea, heading from Mamelle de Pigeon and le Morne à Louis.

  • vue sur le Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin
    vue sur le Petit Cul-de-Sac Marin - PNG
    Viewpoint

    The two Culs-de-Sac Marins

    Opening onto both Culs-de-Sac Marins and, on a clear day, onto Marie-Galante and La Désirade.

  • sommet de la Mamelle de Petit-Bourg
    sommet de la Mamelle de Petit-Bourg - PNG
    Summit

    The top of Mamelle de Petit-Bourg

    The top of the Mamelle is a tranquil and pleasant spot. Next to the sign showing information about the height (716 metres), there is a fine "Bwa bandé" (see previous point of interest).


Description

Hiking trail colour: yellow

From the parking area, take the start of the trail from Mamelle de Petit-Bourg, which is the same as the Alizés trail (G.R. section). Turn left at the intersection. Keep going on the same path, taking advantage of the many openings onto some spectacular landscape. Early in the morning you can even hear the sounds of frogs and cicadas singing. At the top of Mamelle de Petit-Bourg, soak up the atmosphere of the high forest. Then turn around and take the same path to head back down. At the intersection near the end of the trail, take a right to return to the parking area.

  • Departure : near Col des Mamelles, Petit-Bourg
  • Arrival : near Col des Mamelles, Petit-Bourg
  • Towns crossed : Petit-Bourg

Forecast


Altimetric profile


Recommandations

Pay attention to cars on Route RD23, as it is a major road.
There are no litter bins on the route, so please be considerate and take your rubbish with you.
Extra care should be taken in this natural environment, as Guadeloupe is prone to natural risks. For the benefit of all hikers, it is very important that you behave responsibly.
Please note : the parking and swimming areas are not supervised.

Is in the midst of the park
The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.

Information desks

Maison de la Forêt

RD 23 - Route de la Traversée, 97170 Petit-Bourg

http://www.guadeloupe-parcnational.fr/fr/des-decouvertes/ou-sinformer/maison-de-la-foretinfo@randoguadeloupe.gp

Opening hours :

  • In low season (May 1 to June 30 and September 1 to October 31) : every day (except weekends) from 9 am to 4.30 pm.
  • In high season (November 1 to April 30 and from July 1 to August 31) : every day from 9 am to 4.30 pm ; sunday from 9 am to 12.30 pm.

Services: reception, permanent exhibition, free parking, picnic area nearby. Building accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Please note : parkings are not supervised.

Localisation GPS : Lat: 16,17600 N - Lng: 61,69280 W.

Find out more

Access and parking

GPS coordinates of the start point : Lat : 16,17827 N - Long : 61,73176 W.

On Route de la Traversée (RD23), the parking area for the start of the trail is near to Col des Mamelles.
-> From Côte-sous-le-Vent (Bouillante / Pointe-Noire): 2
minutes after Col des Mamelles.
-> On the other side (Prise d'Eau, Petit Bourg): you will need to drive for around 4 km after Maison de la Forêt to find the start point.

You can park near the sign for the start of the trail that runs alongside Route RD23.

Parking :

Alongside Route RD 23, near the sign that shows the start of the trail

Source


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