Come and take a family walk on the heights of Sainte Luce in the forest of Montravail.

The forest of Montravail

A real haven of peace nestled in the south of the island, with a breathtaking view of the Diamond rock.

With your rental car, from Sainte Luce, take the direction of LEPINAY. If you are coming from Fort de France, take the Lepinay exit and also the Sainte Luce/centre-ville exit. Once you have passed the highway ramp, at the intersection turn left. Pass in front of a modern building, under construction, it is the future media library of Sainte Luce. Once you reach the top (10 minutes by car), take advantage of the spectacular view of the coves of Sainte Luce, turn left towards Rivière Salée.

The coast is steep and the road narrow, make sure you choose a vehicle with a good motorization. Take immediately the first road on the left, in the direction of Forêt Montravail and Roches Gravées. Always straight ahead, in 2 min, you enter the Montravail forest. Take the parking lot on the left then climb the wooden stairs that lead to the start of the two trails. The parking lot is the FOYER parking lot.

There are 2 other parking lots: Le Fromager.  

The hiking trails

The departure is common between the Small Path and the Big Path. The whole walk is marked with a blue triangle for the Petit Sentier and a red circle for the Grand Sentier. Both itineraries are in a loop. Count about 20 min, about 1 km of walking for the small trail and about 1 hour, about 2 km for the larger trail. Both are classified as very easy by the ONF (National Forestry Commission). There is also a forestry road that crosses the domain passing by the 3 parking lots (the 3 entry points to the forestry zone).

  Throughout your hikes, you can admire the local fauna and flora. Don't be surprised to see pine trees and to find pine cones and needles along your route. In February, some trees lose their leaves and the trails are covered with an orange/red carpet, totally exotic for the South of Martinique.

   Important note : The trails are currently closed to the public because some sections are degraded. The ONF is carrying out a general renovation of the tracks. They are however accessible but not well marked.

The forest road is nevertheless open and very pleasant to visit the domain. You will pass by a cheese tree, a sacred tree according to the Caribbean Indians. This tree measures in 2013 a height of 45 meters, a circumference of 5 meters and a diameter of 1.60 meters.

The Engraved Rocks (petroglyph)

Enjoy this hike to combine nature and culture. The Engraved Rocks are Caribbean rock engravings. It is one of the rare testimonies of the pictorial art of the ancient Saladoid cultures of the Lesser Antilles visible today in Martinique. The commune of Sainte Luce is currently developing the site until April 2015. Also, visits to the site are temporarily stopped.

  The viewpoint

From the FOYER parking lot, take the opportunity to stretch your muscles by looking at the Anses de Sainte Luce on your left, especially Gros Raison, and on the right, you can admire the Diamond Rock and the Morne Larcher (profile of a woman lying down). Don't hesitate to bring a picnic or a snack. Many spaces were arranged, in particular tables and carbets to benefit in family from this forest field.

   Tourist Itinerary in Sainte Luce

Visit in one day the commune of Sainte Luce with a complete and sporting itinerary :

• Walk in the forest of Montravail,

• Visit of the Trois Rivières Distillery,

• Lunch in the center of Sainte Luce,

• Swimming and relaxation on the beach,

• Anse Gros Raisin - Windsurfing or Kayaking from the nautical base of Anse Pont Café.