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To complete the circular walk, this walk follows a stretch of road that can be very busy at weekends: it is therefore better to come during the week as it is much more pleasant!
Access: Head to L’Entre-Deux via the D26. Stay on this road until you reach the town hall, then turn immediately left at the next junction. At the end of the road, continue straight on along the D26E. Pass a hotel and follow the road until you reach the next school on the left. Park here.
(S/E) Continue uphill on the D26E.
(1) Further on, leave the Chemin du Château d’Eau on your right (signposted) and continue along the road. Numerous clearings offer views of the Crête du Zèbre, which lies to the right of the road. It is this ridge that you will need to climb further up. The road passes close to beautiful gardens where a few bougainvilleas spill out from the walls. Apart from the Crête du Zèbre, you can also see the Crête du Bras Long and, more rarely, the Crête du Bloc. The road is very pleasant during the week. However, it is much busier at the weekend. It soon leaves the houses behind to run along the Crête du Zèbre and past a few plantations.
(2) Pass the Sentier Cheval on your left; its start is marked by a sign. Cross the Bras Long for the first time.
(3) At the end of the road, take the track that continues from it. On the left is a large wayside shrine. Cross the Bras Long for a second time. Reach the Bras Long picnic area.
(4) It is situated in the valley of the eponymous stream between the Zèbre and Bras Long ridges. Right at the back, you can see the Sources du Bras Long waterfall. Unfortunately, it is often dry. After the picnic area, the track is quite rutted in places and some sections can be slippery. Cross the Bras Long for a third time. Pass a water treatment plant on the left.
(5) About ten metres past the plant, you’ll reach a pressure reducer: the Sentier Marron starts right opposite (note: it’s hard to spot!) and to the right of a tree marked with orange paint. Reach the Bras Long and follow it upstream for just a few metres before rejoining the Sentier Marron on the left bank and beginning the climb up to the Zèbre.
This is where the serious stuff begins. Indeed, it climbs very steeply right from the start and you’ll need to use your hands straight away. The gradient must average around 70%. So, to give you an idea, you’ll have to climb almost 400m of elevation gain in just 0.6km! This climb may therefore seem very gruelling and endless for the untrained. The path sometimes runs along a ridge. The few flat sections are more than welcome. You’ll need to make the most of them, as they’re immediately followed by a ferocious climb. Some sections are slippery. Looking back, you can better appreciate the dizzying slope of certain sections of the path. The path winds its way for a long stretch through guava trees, though there are a few fine trees to see. The appearance of sabre palms signals that the ridge is near. Only the Brown Trail requires a certain level of fitness; the rest poses no problem for the average walker.
(6) The Sentier du Zèbre can be reached in 1 hour by an experienced walker. Otherwise, allow more time. The hardest part is now over. Then turn right onto the Sentier du Zèbre. It is, however, a bit muddy. The first few metres are hardly the most appealing as they wind through invasive vegetation.
After several tens of minutes in the undergrowth on a gentle descent, you’ll reach the edge of the ridge for a magnificent view to the west before tackling a few short climbs. When walking along the ridge, don’t hesitate to stop and take full advantage of the panoramic views. The trail ends after about an hour at a reservoir.
(7) Follow the concrete road for a few metres and take the first path on the left, which starts at the first bend just behind a building. Further on, a bench offers a chance to rest and fully appreciate a splendid view of the Entre-Deux region.
(8) At the next junction, turn right onto the Sentier Rosélie. It descends steadily towards the town and some sections are quite stony. You’ll come to a track; turn right onto it.
(9) At the end of the track, turn right onto Rue Laurent Lauret. At the first junction, turn left onto Chemin du Château d’Eau (signposted). Follow it to the Réservoir du Bras Long (a sign points to the reservoir on the right). Go past the reservoir and take the first flight of steps on the right.
(1) It turns into a concrete lane: follow it to the end. Then turn left onto the D26E and head for the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Easy 
