Country:
City:
Park in the car park at the end of the road, located after the village of Les Makes, above Saint-Louis. To reach it, take the road towards La Fenêtre, which climbs for 10 km through a forest full of flowers.
(S/E) Before setting off, climb the few metres to the edge of the ridge to admire the magnificent panorama of the Cirque de Cilaos. Please note: make sure you set off early to enjoy the view, as by late morning or in the afternoon, clouds often obscure the view.
(1) Head back down a few metres to return to the car park.
(S/E) Take the path on the right. A signpost marked ‘La Fenêtre’ points towards Le Petit Mapou, Camp 2000 and Le Grand Bénarès.
Follow this wide path as it winds through the forest, climbing amongst the rocks and flowers. The path is easy but quite steep and can be slippery in wet weather. Occasionally the path crosses the track leading back to the same spot, but stick to the more scenic path.
(2) Take a short detour to admire another beautiful view of Cilaos, then continue the climb along the path. Move away slightly from the ridge, crossing flower-filled wasteland on the densely vegetated mountain slopes. The climb remains fairly steep.
Reach the summit of Petit Mapou and enjoy another magnificent panorama.
(3) Descend slightly. Reach the junction marked ‘Sous Piton Petit Mapou’.
(4) Continue along the ridge with lovely views towards the Cirque de Cilaos. Move away from the ridge again, following the circular path through the forest over terrain that alternates between climbs and gentle descents. The path is quite long but easy. Reach the large junction at the Camp 2000 signpost.
(5) Cross the forest road which, to the right, climbs towards the Grand Bénarès. Continue straight ahead towards Les Makes, descending gradually. Reach the junction of the Route Forestière (RF) de la Scierie and the Haut des Makes.
(6) Take the left-hand path, making a 180° turn. Leave the small path on your right which descends steeply. Walk almost level along this RF. Reach a junction at a water tank in a new hairpin bend to the right at the RF de la Scierie signpost.
(7) Leave the RF and take the path opposite leading towards Petit Mapou and La Fenêtre. Reach the junction at the Sous Piton Petit Mapou marker, which you passed on the way out.
(4) Turn right and follow the same path as on the way there to the Fenêtre car park (S/E)..
Visorando Member
Easy 
Difficult 
