Les Makes via La Pièce Jeanne

Access: Take the N1 towards Saint-Louis and exit at the Usine du Gol junction. At the roundabout, take the second exit towards Saint-Louis centre. Drive past the petrol station and take the second road on the left. Do not go past the bridge over the Ravine du Gol; if you do, turn back and take the first road on the right. At the next two roundabouts, take the second exit. When you reach a ‘give way’ sign, turn right. Cross a stream and then take the first right towards Bellevue. Take the first left, then at the junction continue straight ahead. Follow the road to its end, then turn right and take the first left towards La Pièce Jeanne. Park at the end of the track.
Please note: before it ends, the track splits into two branches which rejoin shortly afterwards.

(S) From the end of the track, turn right onto a path that starts in a bend just after the letterbox at No. 22.
When you reach a house, follow the track to the left. Keep to the right at the next two tracks. Cross the Ravine Papaye and then head slightly downhill, enjoying the lovely views when the cane has been cut back. If this is the case, you can see the peaceful village of La Pièce Jeanne to the right, as well as Saint-Louis, Saint-Pierre and the Piton de Mont-Vert ahead of you.

(1) At the end of the track, turn left onto a concrete path from where you can see the Bois de Nèfles range and the mountains above Les Makes. The views of the surrounding area are magnificent when the sugarcane has been cut! The path winds its way past banana trees and a few fanjans. This section can, however, feel quite long and endless when the sun is at its highest! Follow the road to its end.

(2) Turn left onto a track which is a bit slippery in places. Keep to the right at the next junction and pass close to private land.

(3) The start of the path towards Les Makes is on the left of the track after about 25 minutes’ walk. There are steps to negotiate right from the start and the slope is quite steep initially, but your efforts are quickly rewarded with the first views. The path alternates between woodland and open areas. Some steps have been carved directly into the earth: take care in wet weather, as they can be as slippery as soap! However, a few flat sections allow you to rest a little.

After about 30 minutes on this path, you can finally enjoy a beautiful view of the Plaine des Makes, which until now you could only just make out. The path sometimes runs along a ridge, offering the advantage of several views of Les Makes, the Plaine des Caffres, the Chaîne du Bois de Nèfles and Le Tapage to the right, as well as the rolling countryside and L’Étang-Salé les Bains to the left. The path is very scenic and at times quite wide along this ridge, and the panoramic views become increasingly spectacular. However, there are still a few steep sections. The path then moves away from the rampart, bending to the left. Descend slightly, cross a stream and then climb back up.

(4) Follow a few hairpin bends, then continue along this path for a few hundred metres. You’ll then come across the path from La Pièce Louise on your left; turn right towards Les Makes.
The path is wide and pleasant, offering a few clearings with views of the surrounding mountains. You’ll then begin a gentle descent, passing a few vacoa trees and their fruit, before crossing two streams and heading back up towards the rampart, which you’ll reach quickly. However, views of Les Makes are limited due to the vegetation. The path veers away from the rampart at times but never strays far from it. It runs mainly through woodland, alternating between steep sections and flat stretches, until you reach the next junction.

(5) Turn right and begin the descent along the Sentier du Malbar Mort, which will no doubt prove tiring for some. It takes 30 minutes to reach this junction from the previous crossroads and around 1 hour 30 minutes from the start. The descent is gentle at first but becomes steeper and steeper. In the open sections, there are magnificent views of the Makes and the surrounding area. During the descent, you can picture the zigzagging route ahead as you cross the ravines. The slope becomes even steeper at the end of the descent down the ridge, and you’ll sometimes need to use your hands to make steady progress. You’ll then enter the magnificent Bon Accueil Forest, with its stunning trees that will delight photography enthusiasts.

Cross two streams. After the second, tackle the first of the eight ladders. Further on, a very steep section has been made safer with a handrail. To see the waterfall, once you’ve passed this section with the handrail, look out for a path on the left at a bend.

(6) The waterfall is reached after a climb of about a hundred metres up the stream. It is particularly beautiful when there is water flowing. About 10 to 15 metres high, it feeds a modest pool where you can take a dip despite its shallow depth. This beautiful waterfall can be seen from the Sentier du Malbar Mort.

Take a few minutes to rest after the steep descent and continue along the Sentier du Malbar Mort. You will then reach the Bras du Malabar Mort, which you will need to follow upstream for a few metres.

The path climbs the escarpment on the left bank of the Bras du Malabar Mort, starting with a long ladder. Three more will follow this before you reach the Petite Terre. The slope is steep even without the ladders. But you’ll reach the Petite Terre in no time! Once again, the trees put on a spectacular display, some of which are magnificent and feature large epiphytic plants. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to identify some of them because of the moss. The end of the walk on the Petit Terre is marked by the return of steep slopes and a^sixth ladder. This is the shortest of the eight and the only one used for descending in this direction. You’ll pass very quickly by a magnificent tree with a thick trunk that splits into two large branches. The most observant will be able to make out a mysterious face when looking up.

(7) Reach the Ravine de Bellevue and descend it for a few metres to a lovely ledge. Then rejoin the Sentier du Malbar Mort and pass the last two ladders. The climb is very steep again. Descend once more, cross a stream and climb a little further. Only the final few metres of the Sentier du Malbar Mort are flat.

Carry on straight ahead at the junction with the Sentier de la Découverte. At the track, turn left.

(8) Walk past two reservoirs, go through a gate and take the first path on the right. Keep to the right at the next junction. The path slopes gently downwards at first. Walk past a magnificent tree with a trunk that seems to twist round itself. The path then passes beneath an incredible, huge double-trunked tree.

Keep to the right at the next two junctions before crossing a stream.

At the road, turn right and then immediately left. Then continue straight on along a path.

(9) At the road, turn right and follow it to the church (E).

To return to the starting point: take bus 24 towards Saint-Louis, get off at Saint-Louis station, then take the 25 towards La Pièce Jeanne and get off at the end of Chemin Pièce Jeanne.

Please note: avoid this route in wet weather or if you suffer from vertigo. There are 8 ladders to climb!

Set off on this walk in the morning.
Water available at the church in Les Makes (E)
Convenience shops in Les Makes (E)
Picnic spots: at Les Platanes (turn right at the junction after (6) and follow the road to where it ends) and at Les Makes (from the church, turn left just after the bamboo trees and head up to La Fenêtre; the picnic area is by the next stream).

Places to visit:
- The Makes Astronomical Observatory (from the church, take the second street on the right. Walk past a school and turn right onto Rue George Bizet).
- The church at Les Makes (E).
- The Bonsai Garden (from the church, continue uphill towards La Fenêtre. The Bonsai Garden is signposted on the left).
- The Bon Accueil Forest.
- The waterfall (6).

Enjoy the various panoramic views.