The Grande Ferme Forest Road

This old road once connected the Route du Volcan to Grande-Ferme. This family walk is not difficult. The first part of the circular route offers beautiful views of Bourg-Murat and its surroundings, Piton des Neiges and the south coast from Saint-Pierre to Étang-Salé-les-Hauts, while the second part is under cryptomeria trees with a few gaps offering views of Piton des Neiges.

Details

232099
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 177 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 177 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,971 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,789 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access:Head towards Bourg-Murat and take the Volcan forest road. At the exit of the cryptomeria forest, look for the sign on the left indicating the access to the Nez de Boeuf hillside reservoir. The hike starts here.

(S/E) Continue along the Route du Volcan for a few metres.

(1) Turn right onto the Grande Ferme forest road (you can't miss it, there's a sign indicating the start of the road). This road runs alongside pastures and offers superb panoramic views of the region.

(2) Pass through a forest barrier (go around or climb over it). The forest road crosses countless ravines.

(3) Pass another forest barrier. The path then enters the cryptomeria trees to reach a crossroads.

(4) Turn left. Continue to the end of the road, where you will find a viewpoint overlooking the coast. Previously, it was possible to continue on to the village of Grand-Ferme, but this is no longer the case.

(5) Retrace your steps.

(4) Continue straight ahead along the Route Forestière de la Grande Ferme, crossing countless ravines.

(6) Pass by a dozen beehives and a hillside reservoir, walking entirely under the cryptomeria trees. Reach the end of the road.

(7) Take the very discreet path that climbs to the right of the barrier. At the end of the path, turn right onto Route du Volcan. Enjoy the last panoramic views and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,966 m - Nez de Boeuf hillside reservoir
  2. 1 : km 0.07 - alt. 1,971 m - Turn right onto the forest road.
  3. 2 : km 0.68 - alt. 1,945 m - Barrier
  4. 3 : km 2.21 - alt. 1,905 m - Barrier
  5. 4 : km 2.53 - alt. 1,890 m - Turn left.
  6. 5 : km 2.81 - alt. 1,897 m - End of the forest road
  7. 6 : km 4.77 - alt. 1,793 m - Water reservoir
  8. 7 : km 6.71 - alt. 1,890 m - Take the very discreet path on the right.
  9. S/E : km 7.5 - alt. 1,966 m - Nez de Boeuf hillside reservoir

Notes

Bring a hat and a bottle of water.
Picnic areas near the starting point.

Worth a visit

See the locomotive and the Nez de Boeuf viewpoint (from the starting point, continue driving towards the volcano).
Visit the Cité du Volcan on your return from the hike.
Picnic facilities available.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 16113960

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-marked route

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User 16113960

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I would like the same monitoring on all my hikes.

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User 22334101

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy route as described, but no views due to fog. To be redone in good weather.

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cerjo
cerjo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 20 February 2024 with a family group of 30 people. The description states: "At the exit of the cryptomeria forest, look for the sign on the left indicating access to the Nez de Bœuf reservoir. The hike begins here." The hike does not begin at this location, but rather a hundred metres further up on the right, as indicated in (1).

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Mamich
Mamich

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The written directions are not good: the sign indicating the start of the hike is not a few metres away, but a few kilometres along the volcano road. The direction of the hike should also be indicated. Fortunately, the marked route made it possible to find our way, but this is not the first time that the description on Visorando has been poor and not simple enough.

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CR69
CR69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful walking trail with no difficulty whatsoever. Views of the coast and Piton des Neiges. You do have to climb over a fence, but it's very easy and safe. I recommend it for those who want a short, easy walk in the cool air.

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MBOrandos
MBOrandos

Hike cancelled due to yellow vest roadblocks! What a shame.

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DUPONTSA
DUPONTSA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful view of Piton des Neiges

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