Short route of the Caravelle Peninsula Nature Reserve

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On the Caravelle Peninsula, this short route will allow you to discover the mangrove, a very special environment where the forest extends over the sea.

Details

n°481868
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 66 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 69 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 60 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
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Description of the walk

Take the Presqu'Île de la Caravelle road (D2) to its end. Then continue along a wide, slightly bumpy forest road for about one kilometre and park.

(S/E) Follow the concrete forest road down towards Château Dubuc.

(1) At the end of the road, take the fairly narrow path on the left that descends into the forest. This path runs alongside the fence of the Château Dubuc estate.

(2) Follow the path to the right. A few hundred metres further on, there is a viewpoint overlooking the mangrove swamp. Descend towards it and take the wooden footbridge. You will probably see crabs in the mud. At the intersection, continue straight ahead for a short round trip into the mangrove forest. Then retrace your steps (100m) and turn right to return to dry land. The path climbs a little, then descends again to the edge of the mangrove. Look around you, you may see some hermit crabs.

(3) Turn left and continue through the forest. You will then reach the previous intersection.

(2) Turn right to return along the same path to your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 60 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 25 m - Path on the left - Château Dubuc
  3. 2 : km 0.61 - alt. 7 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.42 - alt. 1 m - Path on the left
  5. S/E : km 2.62 - alt. 60 m - Parking

Notes

The trail is very well signposted and marked (yellow circles). There are also several information boards along the route.

It can get very busy, so it's best to set off early in the morning to find a parking space. You'll also enjoy cooler walking conditions.

Bring water and sun protection, even though the hike is mostly shaded.

Worth a visit

At the end of the hike, you can visit the ruins of Château Dubuc, an old farm that is now abandoned. There is an entrance fee.

The Caravelle Peninsula is lined with numerous beaches. On your return, you can reach the well-equipped Plage de la Brèche beach in 5-10 minutes.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 25805915

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, especially with children (the youngest was 5 years old). We decided to follow a sign towards the mangrove, which took us slightly off the marked route (only a short distance before returning to it, south-west of the route at the right-hand corner), but the view was well worth the detour. However, as someone mentioned below, it's not easy if you have knee problems, as there are lots of steps, going up and down, up and down, etc. The hike took us about 40 minutes longer than the time indicated, but we took our time to look around and we had an adult with knee problems who found some parts difficult. No difficulty for children.

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User 26667485

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The itinerary was very well explained and easy to follow.
We did the Petit sentier de la Caravelle trail with two children aged 4 and 6. It was very easy for them.

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Quentin et la Brebis
Quentin et la Brebis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly short and easy hike , mainly through forest and mangroves.
Some pretty nice views!

If you're looking for beautiful scenery, I'd recommend the long hike instead!

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Laurent j
Laurent j

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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chokapic
chokapic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An easy and enjoyable hike.
No major discoveries, but informative nonetheless!
The advantage is that children can easily do it too.
A beautiful view awaits you at the Caravelle lighthouse.

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koala0145
koala0145

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A walk through the mangroves and forest, which isn't very dense, but it's still a bit hot when the sun is shining. It was nice, but I think there are better things to do in Martinique.

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barracca72soleil
barracca72soleil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Fine, but you mustn't have knee problems, as there are lots of steps!

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jmb022
jmb022

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike

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jmibug
jmibug

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

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gegeru
gegeru

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's a lovely walk that you can easily do with your family, and don't forget to take a bottle or two of water with you.

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