Bassin Long and Ravine Divon

Access:
From Saint-Pierre: follow the Route des Tamarins to Saint-Paul and take the first exit. Go under the A-road and take the first left onto the Chaussée Royale. Then take the first left towards Grande Fontaine, go under the bridge and take the first left towards Tour des Roches. Follow the road to the first footbridge on the right.

From Saint-Denis: head towards Saint-Paul via the N1. After passing the Étang de Saint-Paul, take the next exit. At the traffic lights, keep left onto the Chaussée Royale and follow this road before taking the second left; go under the bridge and then take the first left towards the Tour des Roches. Follow the road to the first footbridge on the right.

(S/E) At the footbridge, head up the Ravine Divon, following the path on the right bank. The walk begins beneath the orchards, which are home to trees – mainly mango trees – of enormous size. They are among the oldest on the island and are nearly 300 years old. These trees were planted by the island’s first inhabitants. The path sometimes runs alongside the cliff, where there are a few caves. The Ravine Divon is very close by and is just a simple stream. The banks are covered in songes and papyrus. Soon, a more open area offers a view upstream along the ravine. You’ll reach the first junction very quickly.

(1) Leave the path on the right and continue straight on. Occasionally, there are a few wooden benches and bins along the edge of the path. Some areas are suitable for a picnic. Then cross the ravine and turn immediately left, then left again at the next two junctions. Cross the ravine a second time to reach a climbing area.

(2) The Bassin Long is just beyond this climbing area. It takes its name from its length. The spot is suitable for a picnic. Birds nest in the hollows overlooking the pool. The pool itself has no waterfall. The path continues a short way past the pool but ends shortly afterwards at the ravine. Return to the previous junction, then keep to the left as you pass an old pipeline. Return to the car park (S/E).

This walk should be avoided in wet weather as it is at the bottom of a ravine.
You can have a picnic and go rock climbing at Bassin Long.
Benches and litter bins are available along the route.

Places to see:
-Bassin Long (2)
-The Tour des Roches and its watermill.
-The Étang de Saint-Paul.
-The old wash houses and the powder magazine at La Grande Fontaine.
-The orchards with their huge trees (S/E).

Things to do:
-Visit the town of Saint-Paul
-You can combine this walk with the Bassin Pigeon and Bassin Vital walks .