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Directions: head towards Hell Bourg. Drive straight through the village, staying on the same road as you pass through the centre. The route takes you straight along Rue du Général de Gaulle. At the end of the straight stretch, take a right-angle left turn and head towards Îlet à Vidot. At the next bend, turn left onto Route Auguste Lacaussade. Then keep right at the next junction. 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 here. Take the path that starts at the edge of the cryptomeria forest; the start of the path is marked by iron bars with red tops. The path soon begins to climb and leaves the cryptomeria forest behind. The grass may be tall on this section! It is possible to avoid this path (see the ‘Practical Information’ section). After climbing about 50 metres, you’ll reach a road; turn right and head downhill to cross the Ravine Chouchou.
(1) Ignore the first path on the right and cross the Bras des Demoiselles, which cascades down the escarpment in several drops. Then take the first left towards the stadium and the sports hall. At the gymnasium, turn right and head round to the other side of the buildings to take the Sentier du Gymnase. This path is concrete and consists of steps. The path leads to the D48; follow it to the left towards Îlet à Vidot.
(2) Turn left onto the first track (Chemin des Trois Cascades). The tone is set straight away by a very steep slope ! It remains steep all the way to the waterfalls. The track winds its way through chouchou trees (a speciality of the Cirque de Salazie) and casuarina trees. It is concrete-paved in its first section but becomes passable by vehicle towards the end. Then turn right onto the first footpath. Signs point the way to the Trois Cascades. Progress is a little slower due to the numerous filaos roots. A drainage pipe marks the end of the climb: follow a short, flat stretch alongside it to reach the Trois Cascades directly.
(3) The site features a wayside shrine dedicated to Notre-Dame des Longoses. Just at the foot of the shrine is a pool into which the ravine flows in three waterfalls during heavy rain. Another waterfall can be seen upstream from the shrine.
Enjoy the scenery and return to the Ilet–Vidot road via the same route.
(2) Turn left as you head downhill and cross the Bras Sec.
(4) Turn onto the first path on the right after the bridge. Cross the ravine again and head back up the other side.
(5) Then pay a brief visit to the beautiful ruins of the ancient thermal baths before continuing the climb along a magnificent, very well-maintained path. You’ll come to a street; turn left to reach the village of Hell-Bourg at the Villa Lucilly gatehouse.
(6) Then turn left onto Rue Olivier Manes. This marks the start of a lovely stretch where you’ll have plenty of time to admire some beautiful Creole houses. There are numerous lodges along 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 junction and carry on straight ahead. Look out for the steps on your left to continue the circular route: for now, carry on straight ahead and visit the church (on the right-hand side of the road) and the Maison Folio, which is situated directly opposite. Then return to the steps: climb them and turn right when you reach Rue de la Cayenne to walk past the Maison Morange eco-museum.
Then head towards the street in the village centre and turn right until you reach the end of the street, where you’ll find shops, lodges and restaurants.
(6) Return to the same spot and carry on straight ahead, passing the Maison Barrau and its watchtower.
(7) Then take the third turning on the right, passing the town hall annexe and the ‘Âme de la France’ statue. At the bend, carry straight on along a concrete path that crosses a stream. After the stream, keep to the right and you’ll reach the car park (S/E).
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