Piton de Bouillante by Mamelle de Petit-Bourg
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Piton de Bouillante by Mamelle de Petit-Bourg
Petit-Bourg

Piton de Bouillante by Mamelle de Petit-Bourg

Geology
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A challenging trail leading up to a fantastic panorama at the top. When the temperature is cooler here, bird lovers can enjoy the chance to listen to a number of different species.


11 points of interest

  • Flora

    Balisiers

    A member of the Musaceae family, Heliconia caribaea is a large grass that is typical of the Lesser Antilles tropical rainforest, growing up to 5 metres tall. It flowers all year round, especially between April and June. Its inflorescence resembles a red ear or red ear with yellow trim, or sometimes completely yellow.

  • Flora

    The Yucca Plum Pine

    A member of the Podocarpaceae family, Podocarpus coriaceus is also known as the Yucca Plum Pine. Similar to conifers, the Yucca Plum Pine is an average-sized tree that can grow between 10-16 metres tall. It has leathery leaves that are similar to an oleander's. They are dark green on top, with a span of 6-15cm and virtually no petiole. Its flowers are discreet, but its brownish seeds in its red buds are certainly eye-catching. It has a thin layer of bark. This species is found throughout the West Indies and flowers mainly in December and January.

  • Viewpoint

    View of Bouillante and les Ilets Pigeon

    View of Bouillante and les Ilets Pigeon, classified as the central area of the National Park since 2009 on account of the rich biodiversity found there.

  • Flora

    Acomat boucan

    The Acomat boucan (Sloanea caribaea) belongs to the Elaeocarpaceae family. It is an extremely large tree that can reach up to 40 metres in height. It is the most spectacular tree in the Sloanea genus. It has an exposed trunk and magnificent buttresses. Its bark is reddish-brown and tends to flake off in thin strips when the tree ages. Formerly, visitors to the forest would make use of its enormous buttresses to shelter their fires and to smoke meat. It has since been established that lighting fires among the roots is not conducive to the well-being of trees.

  • 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.

  • Viewpoint

    From Malendure to Grand Cul-se-Sac Marin

    A large opening allows for impressive views of Malendure (Bouillante) to the west and the bay of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin to the north.

  • Viewpoint

    The two Cul-de-Sac Marins

    View of the Grand and Petit Cul-de-Sacs Marins and, below, of the Bras David river to the northeast.

  • Flora

    Glomeropitcairnia penduliflora

    A member of the Bromeliaceae family, Glomeropitcairnia penduliflora, or "Zanana mawon" in Créole, is a tropical, epiphyte (living on other trees' branches) or terrestrial plant. It has straight, tough and thick leaves which, arranged in the format of rosettes, take in substantial levels of water and are even home to some frogs. It features a floral scarp in the middle.

  • Flora

    Senecio lucidus

    Senecio lucidus belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. Its flowers are yellow-orange in colour. This plant is used in traditional Creole medicine because of its antiviral and pain-relieving qualities.

  • Flora

    Clusia mangle

    Clusia mangle belongs to the Clusiaceae family. It thrives at 800 metres above sea level, where strong winds abound and there is constant humidity. It is a shrub with leathery, fleshy and shiny leaves. Its fruits, measuring between 1-2 centimetres, are similar to large yellow/green olives.

  • Summit

    Piton de Bouillante

    Piton de Bouillante stands at 1,088 metres above sea level. Its summit offers spectacular, panoramic views on a clear day.


Description

Hiking trail colour: yellow

Starting from the National Park information boards, take the start of the ridge trail (same start point as the Mamelle de Petit-Bourg trail). Go straight on at the first intersection. Walk over the wooden decking and stay on the same trail. At the next intersection, go straight on (the path leading right rejoins l'Habitation Soldat). Once you reach the top of Piton de Bouillante, the panoramic views are fully deserved after the last steep climb! Head back on to the same trail to return to the parking area.

Alternatively, you can also head back down towards Bouillante from the summit, down to the "Village", "Bon Air" (ridge trail) or "Birloton" sections. You can also keep going on the GR1 path (red and white signs), towards the Trois Crêtes shelter.

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

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 area is 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): 22 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 :

Parking area at the bottom of la Mamelle de Petit-Bourg

Source


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