Pointe des Châteaux

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Facing the trade winds, Pointe des Châteaux bears the brunt of the waves that have crossed the Atlantic. It is the western tip of Guadeloupe. This route is more of a short stroll than a real hike.

Details

n°3049
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 25 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 26 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 30 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
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Photos

Grande Anse des Salines Beach
The Pointe des Châteaux
Wave
Towards Basse-Terre

Description of the walk

Park in the Pointe des Châteaux car park.

(S/E) On your left, walk a few dozen metres further to Morne Petite Saline. This is a rocky promontory offering a beautiful view of the waves and the tip of Pointe des Châteaux.

(1) Then walk along the beach to reach the end of Pointe des Châteaux. The path climbs about 40 metres.

(2) Admire the view towards La Désirade, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante and Basse-Terre, whose contours can be made out through the mist.
On the way back, take the same path and then turn left to reach the car park via the trail (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Pointe des Châteaux car park
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 7 m - Morne Petit Saline
  3. 2 : km 0.72 - alt. 30 m - Pointe des châteaux
  4. S/E : km 1.26 - alt. 4 m - Pointe des Châteaux car park

Notes

This hike is easy and accessible even in flip-flops, but take care towards the end of the route.

Bring some water with you: there is no shelter, and the wind and sun will make you thirsty. Remember to bring a hat and sun cream.

The currents and swell are often very strong, so do not swim at the beach along the route when the sea is rough. Choose beaches on the other side of the headland, which are sheltered.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
M.Christine
M.Christine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful views. Very easy hike.
Don't miss out at the end of the walk: Gwada Ice, a beach hut serving excellent and generous bokits.

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gg13500
gg13500

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for sharing.
A must-see if you're passing near Saint-François.
Impressive views.

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Jefff
Jefff

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
Cool route. We were lucky enough to experience it with rough seas. We also got to see a tropical storm. The raindrops were so big that it felt like hail, and combined with strong winds, it was impressive. Don't panic, it only lasts a few minutes. You can choose from a few options for the return trip if you have an IGN map. There's also a guinguette where you can eat local food on the way back. Really great for people who aren't too keen on hiking.

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jpraff
jpraff

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

starting from the car park at Anse à la Gourde, walk to Pointe des Châteaux and back. There is only one path, but it is well signposted. It is 5 km long, running along the coast and through wooded areas. Many people visit Pointe des Châteaux from the car park.

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Stefano76
Stefano76

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant and accessible walk. There are vendors selling drinks and food at the car park.
From there, you can head to Pointe Tarare and Pointe la Chaise.
You can choose to take the footpath or the beach.

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archerontia
archerontia

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lots of people, easy and friendly

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alexiasophie1710
alexiasophie1710

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

walk starting from Anse à la Gourde: a lovely start to the walk in the mangrove forest or beach forest; then we walk along the salt marshes. We are between the sea and the salt marshes, then we arrive at Pointe des Châteaux.
magnificent scenery!
on the way back, don't hesitate to treat yourself to a coconut sorbet!
Return via part of the road to shorten the journey a little

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gretshen
gretshen

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you for taking care of your duplicate posts.
I have deleted them.

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amonville
amonville

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This fairly short route can be extended with a ten-kilometre round trip hike that will take you to Pointe Tarare via Anse des Salines. It's very pretty and flat, so if you have a little time, don't hesitate to give it a go. It's well marked and easy to follow

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svcricri
svcricri

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This isn't a hike, but rather a short walk. The site is magnificent, especially since October is the off-season and therefore not very crowded. However, the weather isn't very nice: there isn't a very clear view in the distance...

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martingu
martingu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

And, at the right time of year, don't forget your binoculars. If you scan the sea, you may be lucky enough to spot a few whales that have come to the West Indies to breed.

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GODEFROY
GODEFROY
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very easy and beautiful walk.
Don't hesitate to extend it by leaving Pointe des Châteaux and heading south towards Pointe de la Chaise rather than returning by the same route. It is signposted (I forgot the colour) and leads back to the starting point along the south-west coast, then across the road to the edge of Les Salines. It takes 30 to 40 minutes but is a very beautiful addition to the walk, with no difficulties, provided you avoid wearing flip-flops...
It's easy to understand when you look at the map.
Jean-Marie

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claude thiry
claude thiry

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very easy but very interesting walk, breathtaking views of the coast and La Désirade. Avoid 12 noon to 3 pm as there is no shade.

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