From Pointe au Sel to Stella via the Sentier Sucré Salé

Start at the Salt Museum (Saint-Leu).

(S/E) From the car park, head back to the previous junction. Go under the A-road and turn left at the bend. At the bus stop, take the path that starts right next to it.

(1) You will then reach a junction: ignore the path on the right and continue straight on. Continue straight on again and ignore the next track on the right. The route takes you through the savannah: there is very little shade. Almost the entire walk will be in full sun. You will then begin a long stretch on the Sentier Sucré Salé.
This path used to link the Stella Saltworks with Pointe au Sel. In the past, workers from the Stella saltworks would come to help the salt workers at Pointe au Sel and would use this path.

The path then turns into a rutted track. Ignore the tracks and paths coming from the right each time. The track then crosses some old pipes and passes close to a passageway with steps, which bear witness to that bygone era when workers used this path to reach Pointe au Sel. After these steps, take a bend, then at the next one, take the track on the left and turn onto the next track on the left again.

(2) Reach the departmental road and turn right to go under the A-road. Then follow the road to the next track coming from the right (which leads to a picnic area).

(3) For now, ignore this track and continue on the same road to the roundabout. At the roundabout, take the second exit towards Grand Fond. At the second bend, turn left onto a lane leading towards the factory.

(4) The factory is on the right and is open to visitors (bring cash).
Then return to the junction near the picnic area.

(3) Turn left to head down towards the picnic area. Cross the picnic area via a concrete path and go under the main road.

(5) After this, turn left onto a track. Then take the first track on the right and continue straight on at the next junction. At the next junction, turn right and arrive at another picnic area. Upon reaching this area, cross it towards the left, then come to a fork and continue straight on along a track that ends shortly afterwards. Then turn right onto a path and, after about ten metres, reach the summit of Piton des Roches Tendres at an altitude of approximately 70 metres.

(6) The view of the surrounding area is well worth a look. Return to the picnic area and turn left to cross part of it before taking the first path on the left, which descends steadily alongside an old ravine. Then turn onto the first track on the left. Walk a few metres and, as soon as possible, veer right off the track to quickly rejoin another path. Continue to the right and follow this path to the fork that takes you back under the main road.

(1) Go under the main road and head to the Salt Museum (S/E).

Bring a supply of water and a cap: it gets hot! A water point is available at (3).

Places to see:
- The Salt Museum and the headland of the same name, as well as the lime kiln at (S/E).
- The Sweet and Salty Trail and its steps just past (1), as well as the “curiosities” along the trail.
- The railway embankment just after (1).
- The view from the summit of Piton des Roches Tendres (6).

Things to do:
- Visit the Stella Matutina Museum (bring cash) (4).
- Option to extend the route by doing this hike.