From Col des Bœufs to Marla

From Salazie, follow the signs for Grand Îlet, then Le Bélier and the Col des Bœufs. The walk starts at the car park at the pass.

(S/E) Follow the track leading to the Col des Bœufs, keeping to the right all the way to the pass.

(1) Once at the pass, enjoy the spectacular view over the Cirque de Mafate. The first part of the walk consists of a descent along a ‘staircase’ carved out by the ONF, offering a panoramic view of the cirque’s landscape. Leave the path leading to the Col de Fourche on your left. After about three-quarters of an hour’s descent, the path levels out and you enter a tamarin forest, where the trees bend in mysterious ways.

(2) After passing through the tamarin forest, head towards Marla on the left. You’ll reach the edge of the plateau with a view of Îlet de Marla.

(3) Begin the descent towards the Rivière des Galets. Please be careful: the ground can be slippery in dry weather, and the path can be challenging in all weather conditions. Continue along the descending path to the river.

(4) At the bottom of the descent, you can cross the river by wading across the rocks on the left or use the footbridge if it’s raining. Continue to the^GR® junction^.

(5) Turn left, then leave the closed path leading to the Kelval Plateau on your left and you’ll soon reach a junction. Turn left and you’ll only have half an hour’s walk left to reach Marla.

(6) You’ll arrive in Marla, where you can rest and enjoy the hospitality of the Mafata locals before retracing your steps back to the starting point (S/E).

Hike featuring slippery and technically challenging sections between (3) and (4).
(4) You can use the footbridge in wet weather.

View looking down onto the Cirque de Mafate
The Tamarins Forest and its cattle.
Rivière des Galets.
Pond next to the footbridge at (4).