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Access: head towards Hell Bourg. Drive through the village, staying on the same road as you pass through the centre. Drive straight along Rue du Général de Gaulle. At the end of the straight road, take a right-angle turn to the left and head towards Îlet à Vidot. At the next bend, turn left onto Route Auguste Lacaussade. Then keep right at the next crossroads. Cross the Bras des Demoiselles and keep left before crossing the Ravine Chouchou. Then keep right until you reach the next picnic area.
(S/E) Kiosks and tables are available at this location. Take the trail that starts at the edge of the cryptomeria forest, marked by iron bars with red tops. The path quickly begins to climb and leaves the cryptomeria trees behind. The grass can be tall on this section! It is possible to avoid this path (see Practical Information). After climbing about 50 metres, join a road and turn right downhill to cross Ravine Chouchou.
(1) Ignore the first path on the right to cross the Bras des Demoiselles, which cascades down the rampart in several falls. Then take the first left towards the stadium and gymnasium. At the gymnasium, turn right and go around the other side of the buildings to take the Sentier du Gymnase. This path is paved and has steps. The path leads to the D48; follow it to the left towards Îlet à Vidot.
(2) Turn left onto the first path (Chemin des Trois Cascades). The tone is immediately set by a very steep slope ! It will remain steep until you reach the waterfalls. The path winds through chouchous (a speciality of the Cirque de Salazie) and filaos. It is concrete at the beginning but becomes passable towards the end. Then turn right onto the first path. The direction to the Trois Cascades is signposted. Progress is a little slower due to the numerous filaos roots. A pipe marks the end of the climb: follow it for a short flat section to reach the Trois Cascades.
(3) The site includes a chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame des Longoses. Just below the chapel is a break in the ravine where three waterfalls cascade during heavy rain. Another waterfall can be seen upstream from the chapel.
Enjoy the location and return to the Ilet à Vidot road via the same route.
(2) Turn left as you walk downhill and cross the Bras Sec.
(4) Turn onto the first path on the right after the bridge. Cross the ravine again and climb up the other side.
(5) Then pay a quick visit to the beautiful ruins of the ancient thermal baths before continuing the climb on a magnificent, well-maintained path. You will come to a street; turn left to reach the village of Hell-Bourg at the Villa Lucilly gate.
(6) Then turn left onto Rue Olivier Manes. This is the start of a beautiful stretch where you can take your time admiring the beautiful Creole houses. There are many lodges on this stretch. At the end of the street, turn left to visit the Hell-Bourg cemetery, which is home to the graves of the bandit Volcenay Zitte and the poet Auguste Lacaussade.
Then return to the previous crossroads and continue straight ahead. Look for the stairs on the left to continue the circular route: for now, continue straight ahead and visit the church (on the right side of the road) and the Maison Folio, which is located just opposite. Then return to the stairs: climb them and turn right when you reach Rue de la Cayenne to pass in front of the Maison Morange eco-museum.
Then join the street in the centre of the village and turn right until you reach the end, where you will find shops, lodges and restaurants.
(6) Then return to the same place and continue straight ahead, passing in front of the Maison Barrau and its guétali.
(7) Then take the third right, passing in front of the town hall annex and the Âme de la France (statue). At the bend, continue straight ahead on a concrete path that crosses a stream. After the stream, keep to the right and you will arrive at the car park (S/E).
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Tourist office
