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Access: on arriving in Hell-Bourg town centre, take the first left onto Rue André Fontaine and walk past the town hall. Then keep left at every junction until you reach the next picnic area.
(S/E) Start the hike at the Bellevue picnic area, where tables, shelters and a water point are available. Then follow a track for about a hundred metres.
(1) At the end of the track, turn left onto the path which begins to climb gently. Rocks are everywhere along the route! The start takes you past casuarina trees and chouchou fields. The first hairpin bends soon appear amongst the tibouchinas.
There are numerous views of the cirque during this first half of the climb, and you’ll have the chance to admire Piton d’Anchaing, Piton Maillot, Hell Bourg, Mare à Poule d’Eau and its eponymous lake, Ilet à Vidot, Plaine d’Affouche, Bélier, Mare à Martin, Mare à Vielle Place, Mare à Citron, Cimendef, Roche Écrite, Piton Bé Massoune, Bécabot, Salazie and the Sisahaye Plateau at your feet. There are also numerous springs along this section of the route. The narrowest sections are secured with cables.
(2) The last spring is the largest and is situated near a wayside shrine. It is located just before a long traverse and at the end of a series of hairpin bends. A shorter stretch of hairpin bends follows: you are now halfway up the climb, both in terms of distance and elevation gain. The section that follows is flatter until the next cross.
(3) This marks the start of a series of hairpin bends and the arrival at the mixed woodland. The slope is steeper and the path runs more through the undergrowth. It takes nearly thirty minutes to climb these bends and reach the remains of a cable car, which marks the arrival at the summit of the ridge.
(4) Then cross the Ravine de la Vierge and climb up the opposite slope via a few hairpin bends. You’ll reach the viewpoint at the Bélouve lodge after at least 1½ hours of climbing.
(5) Enjoy the view and follow the same route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (out and back).
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