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Access: head towards Mare Longue via the N2. Follow this road until you reach the sign for the Mare Longue botanical trail (on the left when coming from Saint-Pierre, just before the village of the same name, and on the right when coming from Saint-Philippe, just after the village). Then follow the signposted path (Chemin de Ceinture). Keep left at all junctions. Park at the start of the track.
(S/E) Take the botanical trail which starts to the left of the kiosk and climbs gently up an ancient lava flow already home to endemic trees.
(1) You’ll arrive near a first tree with remarkable roots. Turn left here. The signs help you identify the many endemic plant species, such as applewood, rampartwood and the small mat plant. The climb is gentle. The entire walk takes place amongst the aerial roots winding their way across basalt ground.
(2) At the junction, turn left to complete the second circular route. You’ll reach Mare Longue Forest Road 4.
(3) Follow it to the left until you reach a shelter. Join the botanical trail that starts here and head back into this beautiful forest of colourful trees in the Bas.
(4) Ignore the next path on the left leading to the Basse Vallée Lodge, and turn right to cross the track. Note a few sections here and there with corded lava.
(4) Head straight on along the track again until you reach the junction you passed on the way out.
(2) Keep left and return to the original junction.
(1) Turn left and head back to the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Moderate 
