Cilaos – La Nouvelle

This is the first stage of a 3-day route in the Cirque de Mafate. It follows well-known trails and takes you to La Nouvelle, the largest îlet in Mafate, through idyllic countryside surrounded by the impressive peaks of Piton des Neiges and the Trois Salazes.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: De Mafate à la route du Maïdo

Details

n°1910723

Creation:
26 Mar 2019

Last update:
17 Apr 2019

Last review:
02 Jan 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.40 mi
Average duration: 6h 10
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 3,691 ft
Descent: - 3,163 ft
Highest point: 6,831 ft
Lowest point: 4,157 ft

Country: France
Areas: Cirque de Mafate, Cirque de Cilaos
City: Cilaos (97413)
Start: S 21.117744° / E 55.449959°
End: S 21.07851° / E 55.423281°
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Description of the walk

(S) The start is very clearly marked with a map of Mafate. Take this steep path, which is made easier by numerous steps. It winds up the slope leading to the Col du Taïbit. Head for the Col du Taïbit.

(1) Carry on to the other side of the pass – you can’t go wrong. The descent, which is still marked by steps, is steep but easy.

(2) Head towards the Îlet Marla signpost, passing the school and some charming, flower-bedecked huts. Carry on towards La Nouvelle until you reach a river.

(3) Ford the river without difficulty and continue along the path. Walk past Maison Laclos and you’ll soon reach the Maison Laclos signpost, a crossroads.

(4) Take the path on the left. Follow it until you reach the Ravine de Marla river.

(5) Ford the river and continue along the path opposite to reach the ‘Croisée passerelle Etheve’ signpost.

(6) Take the path on the left. Continue along this narrower and much less frequented path until you reach the next junction at the ‘Bord de Mars’ signpost.

(7) Turn onto the path on the left and cross the Ravine des Sables. Continue to the next junction. This path leaves the^GR® 2 but is easy to follow and well signposted. You’ll reach the ‘Croisée Plaine des Sables’ signpost.

(8) Head off to the right, following a small stream, until you reach the next junction – the ‘Croisée ravine Alidor’ signpost – where you rejoin the^GR® 2.

(9) Turn left and continue along this^GR®1, which is easy but climbs steadily. You’ll reach the Îlet de la Nouvelle and the stopover lodge with ease (E).

Waypoints

S : mi 0 - alt. 4,157 ft - Start of the Mafate trail
1 : mi 2.22 - alt. 6,831 ft - Col du Taībit
2 : mi 3.15 - alt. 5,348 ft - Îlet Marla signpost
3 : mi 3.75 - alt. 5,052 ft - River crossing
4 : mi 3.89 - alt. 4,964 ft - Laclos signpost
5 : mi 4.35 - alt. 4,541 ft - River for swimming
6 : mi 4.64 - alt. 4,675 ft - Etheve footbridge junction
7 : mi 4.88 - alt. 4,918 ft - Bord de Mars signpost
8 : mi 5.35 - alt. 4,675 ft - Croisée signpost, Plaine des Sables
9 : mi 5.45 - alt. 4,852 ft - Junction with the Alidor ravine
E : mi 6.4 - alt. 4,682 ft - Îlet de la Nouvelle

Notes

It’s best to arrange a lift or take the bus (towards Îlet à Cordes) to the bus stop at the start of the path to Mafate on the RD 242. It’s advisable to set off very early to enjoy the best views, as the peaks can become cloud-shrouded quite quickly.
You’ll have no trouble finding water and food at La Nouvelle.

Worth a visit

(E) La Nouvelle, with its signs indicating the various lodges. As La Nouvelle is the most popular Îlet, thanks to its easy access via the Col des Bœufs, there are plenty of lodges here, as well as several restaurants and grocery shops. The school is very pretty too.
Take the time to walk around the Îlet de Marla and La Nouvelle.
Visit the little church in La Nouvelle.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Boudz

02 Jan 2025 at 10:26 3600 • Edited: 02 Jan 2025 at 10:30 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely 6-hour hike, including breaks and without any running. A long climb, but neither too steep nor too rugged, punctuated by flights of steps. Therefore suitable for the average hiker, and even for children (aged 10–12) who are used to walking in low-mountain terrain. Breathtaking views! To avoid carrying too much water, stock up at Marla and at the Trois-Salazes hamlet, where there are also toilets. You can buy food in the hamlets of Mafate. Set off early in the morning (around 7 am) to cross the Taibit before the clouds roll in. Don’t pay too much attention to the walking times indicated on the signposts along the trail: they’re a bit of a mess. But apart from that, the route is very well signposted. Between Marlat and La Nouvelle, you can alter the route by going via Trois-Roches (allow an extra 2 hours, and a very challenging climb!).

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gattuso17

09 Jan 2020 at 16:41 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An 18km hike starting in CILAOS, passing by the BRAS ROUGE waterfall, the TAIBIT Pass, Marla and La Nouvelle.
All this in 5 hours 20 minutes.

We’re keen walkers.
As the Bras Rouge waterfall had a good flow of water, we crossed it barefoot and put our shoes back on on the other side.
We then made our way up to the Taibit Pass. It was quite warm despite the overcast sky, but the view over the Cilaos cirque was magnificent.
The climb to the Taibit Pass is quite steep and takes you past some dizzying spots.
Our walking poles were a great help.
This is followed by a descent of an hour or less to MARLA, offering a clear view of the MAFATE cirque.
From there, allow a good two hours to reach La Nouvelle – and, surprisingly, the path climbs quite steeply, especially towards the end.
Don’t be put off.
We took the route via the footbridge given the rather wet season.
We were happy but tired to arrive at LA NOUVELLE.
Choosing the right location for your lodge is a real bonus, especially when you’re tired and don’t want to add another climb and descent to your journey: for us, the excellent RELAI de MAFATE in the centre of the village meant that the next day we were just 20 metres away from setting off again for the Col de FOUCHE.

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