Saut de Bras du Fort

A short hike in the forest to discover a very pretty waterfall that is ideal for swimming.

Details

1048872
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.85 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 78 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 85 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 98 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 50 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Goyave (97128)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 16.116001° / W 61.596081°
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The start and finish are at a small dirt car park in the Bonfils district, about 2km from the RN1.
The waterfall is indicated by a sign at the junction with the national road. However, there are no further signs, so you will need to follow the map. After crossing the Bonfils River, the starting car park is 30 metres after a small hill dominated by a majestic mango tree. (See photos)

(S/E) The hike begins on an easy farm track heading east-southeast. At the first fork, turn left (locally made sign). After about 250m, at another fork, turn left again. The path descends.

(1) Follow the path on the right that climbs into the forest (the path on the left, not shown on the map, descends towards the river).

(2) Cross the river for the first time. The path is now on the right bank. Continue crossing the river several times, changing banks each time. There are no difficulties until you reach the waterfall. On the way, you can admire a tree with gigantic roots on the right bank.

You will arrive at the waterfall, which has two drops. The middle pool is easy to reach by climbing the rocks, and it is very pleasant to be massaged by the powerful natural shower created by the waterfall.

(3) The return journey is in the opposite direction along the same path to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 61 m - Dirt car park (Bonfils district)
  2. 1 : km 0.62 - alt. 64 m - Fork
  3. 2 : km 0.92 - alt. 68 m - Fort River
  4. 3 : km 1.43 - alt. 74 m - Saut de Bras du Fort (waterfall)
  5. S/E : km 2.85 - alt. 61 m - Dirt car park (Bonfils district)

Notes

Please note: part of the route follows the riverbed. Do not attempt this route in heavy rain as the water level can rise quickly. Read the general safety recommendations for hiking in Guadeloupe.
In Guadeloupe, night falls quickly and early, so always allow for a safety margin.

Progress in the river is quite slow: take this into account when calculating your walking time.
The route was mapped out in one direction, so the time indicated (1 hour) is for the outward journey. As you will need to return, allow 2 hours for the round trip.

Crossing the riverbed is easy and can usually be done without getting your feet wet.

Worth a visit

Don't forget your swimsuits and towels for swimming.

This is an ideal spot for a picnic.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 26629082

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

New to map reading, accompanied by my two sons... we never found the way.
We ended up in the river and tried to walk upstream, but it wasn't suitable at all, especially with huge bamboo falls!
We'll try again, but not on our own...

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senga 49
senga 49
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike is moderately difficult in dry weather, with steep sections that can become slippery in wet weather.
The path is very poorly marked, with no coloured lines, so you must follow the cairns placed at certain points.
There are several river crossings, so take care in wet weather. Wear footwear that can get wet.
But the walk is well worth it, as the waterfalls and pools at the end are magnificent and a dip is very welcome!

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madjack
madjack

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

VERY SLIPPERY IN PLACES. WEAR GOOD SHOES.

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Raphaelledejean
Raphaelledejean

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike alternating between wooded areas and along the river. The time indicated is accurate; we were a group with children (aged 9–12). Be aware that it had rained the previous week, so it was difficult to keep our feet dry. Plan to put your trainers in the water or bring water shoes. This is not a trail; you have to climb over roots and rocks. Refreshing swim at the end! Very beautiful places, well worth it!

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Ang76
Ang76

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The elevation gain is greater than advertised. The walk there takes 45 minutes, and the same for the return trip. Plan to stay a while to enjoy the area. Very pretty waterfall and swimming spot.

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NLCF33
NLCF33
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with some challenging sections! I read the directions on two or three websites to make sure I could find my way, as there are no markings. Don't be afraid to get your feet wet (it's sometimes even better than climbing on slippery rocks). I was alone with my three children (aged 11, 8 and 5) and had no trouble at all. Allow an hour to get there, have lunch and swim, and an hour to return. Don't hesitate to climb the waterfall to reach the upper pool.

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MathieuVlt
MathieuVlt

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
It takes an hour to get to the waterfall. The weather was fine, but after two days of rain, there was a lot of mud and the path was very slippery. I wouldn't classify this hike as moderate, because although it's short, the path through the roots with a fairly steep incline, followed by the riverbed, is still quite difficult. With good footwear and a 5-year-old who walks well, it took an hour along the marked path and the same again on the way back along the riverbed. Someone in front of us with poor footwear slipped on the steepest part of the climb and broke a rib...
In conclusion, it's well worth the effort because the waterfall is magnificent and the pools are perfect for swimming, but allow plenty of time (at least 3 hours) to enjoy the walk.
There are no markings, so we followed the people ahead of us and those we passed!

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Laëtitia64260
Laëtitia64260

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk to do in good weather, through the woods and with the coolness of the river, which we have to cross quite a few times, but the water is warm so it's fine
Worth doing as it's very peaceful when you arrive.

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Linouch
Linouch

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike; amazing waterfall summit. Incredible sensations.
You can do the outward journey as described, but return via the river, which is less complicated but longer. No signposts; magnificent site.

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nico gwada
nico gwada

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An excellent, very accessible and original short hike.

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LucMorizur
LucMorizur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant short hike, as described. Apparently a popular spot for families. The last part follows the riverbed; for this section, it is easier to walk in the water than to try to stay dry.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

I live in Guadeloupe. For my next hike, I downloaded the .gpx file you provided. I will send you some feedback.

Thanks for the feedback.

See you soon.

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Nesta000
Nesta000

Hello,

We tried to follow the route using the MAPS app on our smartphones.
The precise coordinates in descriptions 1, 2 and 3 did not seem to match the MAPS display.
I live in Guadeloupe. For the next hike, I downloaded the .gpx file you provide. I will send you some feedback.

Luc

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

GPS coordinates and route outside the waypoints on MAPS.

Did the route cause any problems?
Did you follow the route with a GPS or a GPS application? If so, which one?
Did you deviate from the route of the hike?

See you soon!

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Nesta000
Nesta000

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,

We lost the route described at the second junction.
In the end, we went all the way up the river. Magnificent.
GPS coordinates and route outside the waypoints on MAPS.
It was only after following other hikers on the way back that we were able to decipher the description of the outward journey...

Luc

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