From Deux Bras to Îlet à Malheur via the footbridge

To reach the start point, you’ll need to take a 4x4 taxi (mafatais taxis) from the village of Rivière des Galets to the hamlet of Deux Bras. (€8 one way in January 2019; book your journey in advance).
To reach the taxi pick-up point in the village of Rivière des Galets, follow Rue de la Libération to the end. Take the stony track; after 500 metres, you’ll reach the car park and the barrier controlling access to the Rivière des Galets.
After a 12km journey by 4x4 (a route that can be done on foot but isn’t very pleasant) and several fords, you’ll arrive at Deux Bras, where the hiking trail begins.

(S/E) Take the path at the far end of the 4x4 turning area. You’ll soon come to the first ford, followed by three more. You can cross either over the large stones or through the water, which is normally knee-deep.

(1) After the fourth ford, take the path up the slope on the right bank of the River des Galets (^GR®R2route towards Aurère). The path climbs up a fairly steep slope. Pass by the small Cabris spring.

(2) Immediately after the Cabris spring, turn left towards Aurère, leaving the path signposted ‘Grand Place, Cayenne’ on your right. The path climbs up the side of Cap Miné and very quickly reaches another junction.

(3) Keep turning left towards Aurère. The mountain-side path is secured by a railing at the most vertiginous sections. Discover some beautiful viewpoints. The path still bears the marks of the drilling required to blast a route through the rock, hence the name Cap Miné. Walk past a small wayside shrine dedicated to Saint Expeditus and, shortly afterwards, arrive at the Bord Bazar viewpoint (picnic table).

(4) Take the path furthest to the right, signposted ‘Îlet à Malheur’, via the footbridge. Leave the sign for Aurère on your left. Head down a superb path through the casuarina trees.

(5) Cross the ravine via the footbridge, then head back up towards Îlet à Malheur. The track ends in front of the chapel (E).

There are several lodges at Îlet à Malheur or further on at Îlet à Bourse. Book before setting off.
Book a return journey in a 4x4 taxi before setting off.
Check the water level in the Rivière des Galets before setting off on the hike (there are several river crossings).
It can get quite busy at the Deux Bras starting point, but most of the people there are day-trip hiking groups with guides heading towards Cayenne.

You will arrive at Îlet à Malheur. The name derives from an event that took place there in the days when the great planter families (Debassyns, Chatel, Ysautier…) dominated the island’s economy. Some slaves would escape and hide in the hills. The planters would hire ‘slave hunters’ to bring them back, dead or alive. In 1829, a detachment led by Mr Guichard discovered a camp of ‘maroons’ who were living self-sufficiently in this area. He massacred around forty people there.