The Murat Trail

The starting point for the walk is at Habitation Murat (eco-museum). Park in the estate’s car park.

The walk begins on the path just behind the mill when viewed from the car park. As the boundaries of the ecomuseum grounds are fenced off, walk back out via the car park entrance and turn left to reach the starting point.

During the walk, you’ll follow yellow markings (clearly visible) as well as red markings (less visible).

(S/E) Head east-southeast and follow the path through the sugarcane fields. Ignore any side paths.

(1) At the end of the path, turn left. Follow the Coulée Ouliée for about 3 km through the woods, crossing the stream bed several times. The path may be slippery or even muddy if it has rained, and you will sometimes be walking amongst rocks.

(2) Leave the forest and stay briefly on the edge. Head back into the forest on the left, towards the Mare au Punch.

(3) When you reach the edge of the forest, leave the Ouliée ravine on your right and head left. Make your way to the Mare au Punch on the edge of the N9.

(4) Follow the road to the left for 200 m.

(5) Then take the path on the left, at the small sign for “Football Club Ducos”. Follow the path for about 400 m.

(6) At the T-junction, turn right.

(7) At another T-junction, take the Chemin de Morne Rouge on the left. After a bend to the right, ignore a turn-off on the left and carry on straight ahead (south-west).

(8) At the end of the track, turn left. Ignore the turn-offs on the left and head back to Habitation Murat (S/E).

This hike requires proper walking boots that provide good ankle support, as the section through the forest can be quite challenging.

Make the most of the opportunity to visit the Habitation Murat at the start or end of the walk.

Stop off at the Mare au Punch:

The Mare au Punch (4) takes its name from a major event that took place in 1849, a year after the abolition of slavery. The first parliamentary election in which the newly freed people took part pitted two opposing lists against each other: that of the abolitionists, led by Victor Schoelcher, and that of the former slave owners, supported by the mayor of Grand-Bourg Campagne and owner of the Pirogue plantation. Attempts at electoral fraud by the mayor and his accomplices sparked an angry protest by the newly freed people. Severely suppressed by the militia, the protest claimed numerous victims. In retaliation, the rebellious population ransacked Pirogue and poured the factory’s entire sugar and rum production into the pond, thus creating a giant punch. Dozens of people were arrested and tried during a trial known as ‘the Marie-Galante affair’.