Pointe des Châteaux from Anse à la Gourde

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A walk on the Pointe des Châteaux, a peninsula to the east of the island of Grande-Terre. At the very tip of the headland, you’ll discover large rock formations where powerful waves crash. Along the way, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of Grande-Terre, and even the island of La Désirade on clear days.

Details

n°88999038
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.44 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 299 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 279 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 128 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 ft
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Description of the walk

Car park near Honoré’s house, Anse à la Gourde beach in Saint-François.

(S/E) Opposite Anse à la Gourde beach, head off to the right.

(1) Walk past a viewpoint overlooking the Éperon, a rock situated about 600 m off the coast. The sandy path winds its way through the thickets. With its white sand and turquoise sea protected by a coral reef, Anse à la Gourde has all the hallmarks of a dream beach , but it is also a major historical site: archaeological excavations have revealed a succession of numerous Amerindian settlements spanning over a millennium.

(2) When you reach Pointe à la Gourde, keep to the left. Walk past a tin shack, then start the climb up a white gravel path. Follow the descent, continuing straight ahead until you reach a junction.

(3) Turn left towards Pointe Tarare. Enter a copse on the right and make your way to the cliffs: a viewpoint overlooking La Désirade, La Grande Saline and Pointe des Châteaux.

(4) Turn back.

(3) Turn left. Walk past the coral reef running alongside Pointe à Plume, with La Désirade in the background.

(5) Continue straight on and go round the Grande Saline on the left (depending on the season, you may spot colonies of waders feeding in the mud) along the coast, then follow the long Anse des Salines. Come out onto the D118.

(6) Turn left, cross the car park and begin the climb up Morne Pavillon, passing close to Anse des Châteaux beach. Then turn left towards Pointe des Colibris.

(7) Retrace your steps and turn left towards the tip of Pointe des Châteaux, marked by a cross.

(8) Retrace your steps a little, then head left towards Pointe de la Chaise.

(9) At the junction, leave the path on your right and head for the headland.

(10) Carry on until you rejoin the D118.

(11) Cross over and follow the road to the left for about fifty metres, then take the path on the right.

(12) At the end, rejoin the road and follow it to the right.

(13) After the Ecomuseum junction, take the road on the right which leads back to Anse à la Gourde beach (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 7 ft - Anse à la Gourde Beach car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.14 - alt. 7 ft - View of the Eperon
  3. 2 : mi 0.27 - alt. 10 ft - Pointe de la Gourde
  4. 3 : mi 1.31 - alt. 23 ft - Fork - Pointe Tarare
  5. 4 : mi 1.45 - alt. 72 ft - Pointe Tarare
  6. 5 : mi 2.53 - alt. 10 ft - Coral reef
  7. 6 : mi 3.13 - alt. 13 ft - Route de la Pointe des Châteaux - Morne Petit Saline
  8. 7 : mi 3.67 - alt. 16 ft - Pointe des Colibris
  9. 8 : mi 3.8 - alt. 128 ft - The cross at the - Pointe des châteaux
  10. 9 : mi 3.86 - alt. 92 ft - Crossroads
  11. 10 : mi 4.09 - alt. 23 ft - Pointe de la Chaise
  12. 11 : mi 4.64 - alt. 7 ft - D118
  13. 12 : mi 5.16 - alt. 49 ft - Return via the road
  14. 13 : mi 6.98 - alt. 10 ft - Road towards Anse à la Gourde
  15. S/E : mi 7.44 - alt. 7 ft - Anse à la Gourde Beach car park

Notes

The challenges include poorly maintained paths, dense vegetation and walking along roads.

Do not stray from the marked paths, particularly near the salt pans.

Worth a visit

The highlights are the magnificent views and the chance to swim in the lagoon.

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