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(S) The walk starts at the Saint-Gilles police station, on the site of the former coach station. Head towards the ocean and turn immediately right at the first junction. Carry on straight ahead at the next crossroads and pass a badamier. At the end of the lane, turn left onto the beach. The railway line, meanwhile, continued straight on through what are now residential areas. Follow the beach northwards, passing close to Saint-Gilles cemetery.
Shortly after the cemetery, take the first path on the right to reach Rue des Sables and follow this road to the left. At this point, you’ll rejoin the railway line’s route. At the end of the street, turn left onto Rue Leconte de Lisle and leave the historic route for a short while. You can turn right and follow the street for several hundred metres to find remnants of the railway tracks on the right.
(1) Then take the first path on the left to rejoin Rue des Sables and the historic railway line. From here on, the entire historic route can be followed all the way to Boucan Canot via streets that run along this famous route. Reach the Ravine Grand Fond railway bridge.
(2) Cross the ravine via this old railway bridge.
Then stay on the same road until the next ravine (Ravine des Aigrettes), which you cross via a masonry railway bridge. Continue along the same road (Rue du Gouverneur) until you reach the next filaos on the left, situated right next to a beach. This was the site of the former Boucan Canot halt, which no longer exists. At this point, continue along the road towards Boucan Canot.
(3) Stay on this road until you reach the next ravine (Ravine Boucan Canot). You cross it via an old railway bridge, which now carries the current road. At the end of the road, follow the pedestrian walkway, where you’ll find bars and restaurants. Then take an alleyway and follow the first path on the left, which leads to a beach. At this point, the railway line ran past what is now the hotel on the right.
(4) Follow the beach to its opposite end to see the remains of the railway bridge, then retrace your steps and take the first path on the left, just before the first house. At the road, turn left towards Saint-Paul and pass Cap Champagne.
(5) At the next ravine, head down towards the coast along a discreet path to discover the railway bridge at Ravine du Cap Champagne. Almost the entire length of the current A-road follows the route of the railway line as far as Saint-Paul. Just in front of the bridge is a beach, a blowhole and the distinctive shape of the Rocher de Chien on the right. Then return to the A-road and turn left towards Cap la Houssaye.
(6) At the headland is the Ravine du Patent Slip. From the A-road, turn right and head down into the ravine to see the railway bridge.
Take care during this descent, which is somewhat technical and partly overgrown.
After visiting the bridge, you can walk to the tip of the headland for a lovely view of the Grotte au Pilier and Saint-Paul Bay. Then continue along the main road towards Saint-Paul.
(7) At the next ravine, head down into it on the mountainside. The railway bridge has since been altered to accommodate the main road. Right at this point, the railway line used to cross the road and there was a signalman, whose job was to raise and lower the barriers before and after the train passed, hence the name of the place (La Barrière)
(8) Continue along the same road and pass the Petite Anse ravine near a masonry railway bridge (to the right of the road)
(9) Just after this ravine, the road passes through the Cap la Marianne tunnel: this is in fact a former railway tunnel. Just before the tunnel there used to be a waterfall, but the ravine bed is now dry. Go past the tunnel and then turn right towards the cliff to visit a very large cave known as Petite Caverne, which is said to have provided shelter for the first settlers. Unfortunately, there is litter present, which can spoil the beauty of the place.
Just past this cave, you can see the Grotte du Peuplement or Grotte des Premiers Français park. Do not approach the cave. Toilets are available here. Then cross the Ravine du Cimetière. The railway bridge no longer exists: it was demolished to make way for the A10. Next, visit the Saint-Paul Maritime Cemetery (on the left, directly opposite the cave park).
(10) Just after the cemetery, take the first left (Rue de la Baie). This street follows the exact route of the railway line. Near the junction with Rue de la Compagnie des Indes (on the right) there used to be an old railway halt (the ‘caserne’ halt), which has now disappeared. You will then pass a building on your right made of cut stone (basalt), bearing the inscription ‘Ponts et Chaussées’. These buildings were originally used by the Compagnie des Indes.
You will then pass the monument in honour of the slaves, the former naval building (on the right, marked with the name ‘Elie Eudor’ – a former slave who was a stonemason – and the date 1853), and then the landing stage.
Stay on the same road and, after passing the junction with Rue Sufren (on the right), you will reach the former Saint-Paul railway station (E), the starting point for the next stage.
Tourist office
Moderate 
Visorando Member
Extremely difficult 
Very difficult 
