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: 4.66 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 581 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 581 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,467 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,869 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Access:Head towards Bourg-Murat and take the Volcan forest road. As you emerge from the cryptomeria forest, look out for the sign on the left indicating the access to the Nez de Boeuf hillside reservoir. The walk starts here.

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

(1) Turn right onto the Route Forestière de la Grande Ferme (impossible to miss – a sign marks the start of the track). This track runs alongside the pastures and offers superb panoramic views of the region.

(2) Pass through a forest gate (which you can go round or climb over). The forest track crosses countless ravines.

(3) Pass another forest gate. The path then winds through the cryptomeria trees to reach a crossroads.

(4) Turn left. Continue to the end of the track, where there is a viewpoint overlooking the coast. In the past, it was possible to continue on to the village of La Grand-Ferme, but this is no longer the case.

(5) Retrace your steps.

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

(6) Pass close to around ten beehives and a hillside reservoir, walking entirely beneath the cryptomeria trees. Reach the end of the road.

(7) Take the very inconspicuous path that climbs to the right of the gate. At the end of the path, turn right onto the Route du Volcan. Enjoying the final panoramic views, return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,450 ft - Nez de Boeuf reservoir
  2. 1 : mi 0.04 - alt. 6,467 ft - Turn right onto the forest track
  3. 2 : mi 0.43 - alt. 6,381 ft - Barrier
  4. 3 : mi 1.37 - alt. 6,250 ft - Barrier
  5. 4 : mi 1.58 - alt. 6,201 ft - Turn left
  6. 5 : mi 1.75 - alt. 6,224 ft - End of the forest track
  7. 6 : mi 2.97 - alt. 5,883 ft - Reservoir
  8. 7 : mi 4.17 - alt. 6,201 ft - Take the very inconspicuous path on the right
  9. S/E : mi 4.66 - alt. 6,450 ft - Nez de Boeuf reservoir

Notes

Bring a cap and a bottle of water.
There are picnic areas near the starting point.

Worth a visit

See the locomotive and the Nez de Boeuf viewpoint (from the starting point, carry on cycling towards the volcano).
Visit the Cité du Volcan on your way back from the hike.
Picnics are possible.

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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