Piton des Orangers and return via the Omega Forest Road

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An easy hike to see all the islets of the Cirque de Mafate. It is best to set off no later than 10:00 a.m. to enjoy the magnificent views along the edge of the rampart. The start and end of the route are on forest roads. It is possible to picnic along these roads on the way back.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.42 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 284 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 276 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,957 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,721 m
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Description of the walk

Park in the small car park above a picnic area, on the edge of the Route du Maido.

(S/E) Head north on the forest road.

(1) Leave the return path on your left and stay on the forest road, going straight ahead until you reach the Tête Dure fork.

(2) Turn slightly to the right, diagonally, to rejoin the forest road, and climb up to the Piton des Orangers viewpoint.

(3) Then follow the rampart northwards until you reach the fork towards the Omega Trail.

(4) Take the path on the left that descends. It is quite short but not always easy to see. It starts with a tree lying across the path, which you will need to climb over. The trail is quite unclear, so head to the right, following a small ravine. Join the Omega Forest Road about 300 metres further on.

(5) Take it to the left, heading south.

(6) Leave the Tête Dure track on your left and walk about 150 m to reach a three-way junction.

(7) Turn left, staying on the Omega Forest Road.

(8) Take the fairly steep path up on the left to rejoin the forest road you took on the way there.

(1) Turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,857 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 1,869 m - Crossing of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.44 - alt. 1,877 m - Tête Dure fork
  4. 3 : km 1.99 - alt. 1,957 m - Piton des Orangers, viewpoint
  5. 4 : km 3.62 - alt. 1,777 m - Fork towards the Omega Forest Road
  6. 5 : km 3.86 - alt. 1,721 m - Omega Forest Road on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.36 - alt. 1,786 m - Omega Forest Road opposite
  8. 7 : km 5.45 - alt. 1,791 m - Omega Forest Road on the left
  9. 8 : km 6.8 - alt. 1,801 m - Path on the left
  10. S/E : km 7.42 - alt. 1,864 m - Car park

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