The Smugglers trail
vue sur La Couronne
vue sur La Couronne - Céline Lesponne / PNG
Sainte-Rose

The Smugglers trail

Cultural and architectural heritage
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Crossing the massif from east to west on a trail steeped in history. You will be walking in the footsteps of rum and tobacco smugglers from the 19th century.


7 points of interest

  • grosse roche
    grosse roche - Céline Lesponne / PNG
    Geology

    Large rock formations

    Large rock formations with a distinctive shape. Water, the primary erosion agent, works mechanically on the rocks, producing a polishing effect.

  • "Fougère bâtard"
    "Fougère bâtard" - Céline Lesponne / PNG
    Flora

    Tree ferns

    Phyllanthus mimosoides, a member of the Euphorbiacieae family, resembles a small tree fern. Set on the same level, its compound leaves are in fact branches made up of small, simple leaves. Lower down, they have tiny white flowers on their axils.

  • carrefour au sommet
    carrefour au sommet - Céline Lesponne / PNG
    Summit

    Intersection at the top

    Intersection between the Smugglers Trail (east/west) and the Alizés trail "GR G1" (south/north), beneath the power line.

  • Bois Rouge Carapate
    Bois Rouge Carapate - Emilie Savy / PNG
    Flora

    Bwa rouj carapate

    A member of the Euphorbiacieae family, Amanoa caribeae is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. It is a large tree with a trunk that rests straight on its buttresses, depending on the terrain. The most distinctive feature of this species is its reddish bark and roots at the foot of the trunk. Its leaves vary in shape: sometimes they are whole, sometimes pointed. Its flowers form small clusters, while its very hard wood was used as timber or in carpentry.

  • Palétuviers jaunes
    Palétuviers jaunes - Céline Lesponne / PNG
    Flora

    Chewstick tree

    Symphonia globulifera, also commonly known as the chewstick tree, belongs to the Clusiaceae family. The tree grows in thick, humid and swampy forests. Reaching up to 25-30 metres in height, it has stilt roots and a yellow latex trunk. Its flowers are formed of bright red petals, while its fruits resemble nutmeg, are oval in shape and yellow when ripe. It wood was one used as timber for houses and resin for boats.

  • Gommier blanc
    Gommier blanc - Céline Lesponne / PNG
    Flora

    The Gommier

    The Gommier (Daryodes excelsa) can grow up to 35m high. When they are damaged, its white trunk and roots exude a white resin with a pungent turpentine smell, which is traditionally used as incense or to start fires, because it burns slowly regardless of the surrounding humidity. It is reported that the tree has the ability to cast out spirits. Its trunk was used by American Indians to make their canoes (kanawa), and is still used today by coastal people from many tropical countries, such as Dominique, to make fishing vessels. Its green seeds are popular with pigeons.

  • point de vue sur les crêtes
    point de vue sur les crêtes - Céline Lesponne / PNG
    Viewpoint

    Viewpoint

    Views north of "La Couronne" (663 m) and le Piton Guyonneau (750 m).


Description

Hiking trail colour: yellow

Take the forest path, behind the National Forestry Office hiking information boards. Climb steadily until you reach the high-voltage line for the first time. Keep going through the forest. The trail gets flatter and winds its way through the rainforest near by some remarkable trees, such as chewstick and chestnut trees. Cross some small ravines and then reach the summit (here you cross a power line for a second
time). Intersection with the Alizés trail (GR G1, north/south of Basse Terre). Keep going, heading in the direction of "Contrebandiers / Les Plaines" and begin your descent towards the west. Come out onto the concrete road and then keep going until the final sign.
N.B. As this is a circular trail, make sure to leave your vehicle at the start point.

  • Departure : Sainte-Rose, forest road of Duportail, starting from the information boards.
  • Arrival : Pointe-Noire, end of Route RD17 (Les Plaines / Notre-Dame des Larmes)
  • Towns crossed : Sainte-Rose and Pointe-Noire

Altimetric profile


Recommandations

As Guadeloupe is prone to natural risks, extra care should be taken in this natural environment. For the benefit of all hikers, responsible behaviour is very important.
Warning : the parking areas are not supervised.


Information desks

entrée de la Vallée des Plaines - RD 17, 97116 Pointe-Noire

https://www.pointenoirevisit.comodtpointenoire@gmail.com05 90 99 92 43

Access and parking

GPS coordinates of the start point :  Lat : 16,25081 N - Long : 61,70589 W.

On Route RN2, between Lamentin and Sainte-Rose : at the roundabout of the La Boucan bridge, turn towards "Bonne Mère". Then reach the crossroads with "Cadet". At the crossroads, turn left and keep going towards "Bone" and then "Duportail". Proceed on the Duportail forest road until you reach the signs that show the start of the hike.

Parking :

Start point: Ste Rose forest road Duportail, next to the information boards. End point: Pte Noire "Les Plaines", end of RD17.

Source


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