Îlet des Orangers as seen from Maïdo

The walk starts at the kiosk, which is 1.8 km before the car park at the summit of Maïdo. It’s a bus stop. Bus route 61 runs three return journeys a day from Saint-Paul station.
If you’re coming by car, park in the spaces further up or further down so as not to obstruct the road.

(S/E) Follow a wide lava track marked in white on the left-hand side of the road as you climb. At the first Fork in the road, turn left through the vegetation to reach Ti’ Col.

(1) At Ti’ Col, the path begins which descends into the Mafate cirque to reach either Roche Plate or Îlet des Orangers. The view is breathtaking. From left to right, you can see Îlet des Orangers, Cayenne, Grand Place, Aurère, Îlet à Malheur, Îlet à Bourse and La Nouvelle in front of the Trois Salazes.

You begin the very steep descent along a stony path, with a rock face on one side and a sheer drop of over 500 metres on the other. You should therefore descend with caution.

(2) About 50 minutes after setting off, a sign painted in white on the rocks points to a viewpoint 50 metres to the right of the path. We take the detour and, after admiring the view, return to the path and continue down until we reach the^GR® R2 R3 at La Brèche.

(3) The view is lovely here too, and the signposting is clear. Leave the path that descends to the right towards Roche Plate and turn left towards Îlet des Orangers on the^GR® R3. The path descends via steps made of large stones and is shaded by the vegetation. You’ll reach the junction with the path on the left leading to the Îlet des Orangers cemetery

(4) Carry on straight ahead. The path, still lined with large stone steps, reaches the bottom of a ravine which becomes very narrow.

(5) Carry on straight ahead.

(6) Shortly afterwards, you’ll pass a spring gushing from the rock to the left of the path. The path now climbs in tight hairpin bends to reach the sign marking the entrance to Îlet des Orangers.

Turn right and head uphill up the steps after this sign. You’ll pass a picnic table and a helicopter landing pad. Carry on straight ahead to reach the square at Îlet des Orangers.

(7) In the square, you’ll find two picnic tables, the school, the clinic and the chapel. Return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Allow 4 hours 30 minutes for the return journey. The descent was tough, but the climb was even tougher...

The route has been mapped out on site. The elevation drop on the descent between points (1) and (3) is significant. Don’t forget that you’ll have to climb back up at the end of the hike.
The times given are for a fit hiker who has taken the time to admire the scenery and have a picnic (9 hours in total).

The section of the path from Ti’ Col to La Brêche is very steep and dangerous. The path may be closed due to rockfalls, particularly during the rainy season. Check before setting off.
The crosses found along the trail are not all there to honour the Virgin Mary or Saint Expeditus, but also to mark the fatal accidents that have occurred along this route.

You can reach the start of the walk by taking bus number 61 from Saint-Paul coach station at 5.50 am: alight at the ‘Sentier Maïdo’ terminus at 6.55 am, and return at 5.40 pm to arrive back in Saint-Paul at 6.45 pm.

You’ll find water at Îlet des Orangers; there’s a tap fixed to a large rock behind the school.

The descent is steep, but so is the climb back up. If you’re doing the hike as a day trip, bear in mind that you’ll have to climb back up. Allow 4 hours 30 minutes for the return journey.

In the morning, you may come across locals from Mafata heading up with empty rucksacks, whom you’ll meet again in the evening as they make their way back down with full rucksacks. Whilst you were out hiking, they’ve been out doing their shopping!

There are some stunning views all along the route, far from the crowds and the traffic of Maïdo.