Morne Chapeau Nègre with a machete

Please note: read the information below carefully:
1 - A machete is essential for clearing passages blocked by rapidly growing vegetation, a recurring phenomenon on this route.
2 - It is importantto be trained in how to clear a path. Do not cut everything down without thinking and be careful with endemic species.
3 - It is important to leave the place as you found it, especially no rubbish.
4 - The time taken for this hike corresponds to the time needed to clear the route after it had not been cleared for about six months. The vegetation was very dense. You can expect a 10-hour round trip if the trail has not been opened for a long time. This includes 8 hours of ascent and 2 hours of descent. Obviously, if the trail has already been opened, this time will be considerably reduced. This hike will be the subject of a future publication to determine the time required without opening.

Park in the Morne Covin car park, located next to an uninhabited house.

(S/E) Take the trail that runs along the bottom of the house and gradually enters the forest. From the very first few metres, the grassy vegetation reminds you of the wild nature of this hike. A few hundred metres further on, you will reach the wooded part of the area where the path remains visible despite the regrowth.

(1) Use your machete to clear the way and follow the water pipes. After about 1 km, you will reach the end of the descent.

(2) Gradually climb back up. After 500 metres, you will come to a small clearing. Take the time to get your bearings, as the path continues slightly to the left as it climbs, almost hidden by the vegetation. You will reach a more difficult section where the climb becomes steeper.

(3) Here, you will cross several sections where the vegetation has reclaimed its rights. Cut through the vines, branches and ferns that block the path, while paying attention to the discreet marks left by previous hikers. To do this, follow the cairns or the yellow and blue paint marks, which have been partially erased by time. At times, the vegetation, especially the ferns, completely covers the previous tracks and gives you no indication of the path to follow. Most of the time, you will have to push through where it seems flattest to avoid the risk of falling. Remember that you are on a ridge, with each side dropping almost vertically. You will then reach a second difficult passage: a field of ferns.

(4) Cross this field filled with large ferns 2 metres high to reach the summit of Morne Chapeau Nègre.

(5) Here, before the descent, you can turn left onto the ridge leading to Piton Lacroix.
Then begin your descent, taking care to mark your route for the return journey, which you will normally have opened up yourself earlier. Return in the opposite direction to the Morne Covin car park (S/E).

Essential equipment:

• Machete
• Gloves
• Hiking boots
• Water (minimum 2 litres per person)
• Food
• Long clothing (protection against thorns and local wildlife)

Access: From Fort-de-France, head towards Bellefontaine, then once there, follow the D63 towards Verrier.

Parking: There is no designated parking area for the hike. However, as there is little traffic, it is easy to find a quiet spot, particularly near this uninhabited house, where you can park off the road by taking the path up to the left of the road near (S/E).

Season: Avoidthe rainy season (July to November), when the trail becomes slippery and the vegetation even denser.

Tip: This hike is not recommended for beginners due to the lack of maintenance and technical sections. Go with others or let someone know when you are leaving and your itinerary. A charged phone and hiking app are recommended (network coverage may be poor).

Alternative: A departure from the Absalon spa resort is being considered and will be the subject of a future hike.

In the event of impenetrable vegetation, it may sometimes be necessary to retrace your steps.

Risks: For this hike, it is essential to wear long clothing that has been sprayed with special insect repellent to avoid insect bites and, above all, trombiculosis caused by harvest mites. These mites, which are invisible to the naked eye, can pass through clothing and lay their larvae on your skin. There is no risk of disease, but the larvae, which feed on dead skin, create itchy spots due to the substance they release, and I would advise against getting them.
If you do get them when you return, it's not a big deal in itself. Take a good shower when you get home to remove any that are not yet attached, then wait a week for the spots and itching to go away.
If it is unbearable for you, see a doctor, who will give you an antihistamine for the itching and you will feel better right away.

In terms of flora, there are tree ferns, giant balisiers, wild orchids and bromeliads of all kinds.

The fauna includes matoutou beetles, hummingbirds, mountain pigeons, ants, numerous spiders and, with a little luck, trigonocéphales.

(5) Morne Chapeau Nègre offers exceptional panoramic views of the Martinican landscape, particularly Fort-de-France Bay and the Pitons du Carbet.