Hiking in Guadeloupe by level: from the coast to La Soufrière

A hike in Guadeloupe can be an hour in the shade with the kids or a whole day in the mud on the Trace des Alizés. Here, every trail is listed at the level of its official Rando Guadeloupe trail sheet, with time, ascent, distance and status as of 1 September 2026. Rules and trail conditions change fast: always check before you set off.

Can you still climb La Soufrière? What changed in 2026

The official “La Soufrière” trail sheet, starting from the Bains Jaunes in Saint-Claude, gives: difficult level, 4 h 30 out and back, 510 m of ascent, 6.0 km. What has changed is access to the summit.

What about the April 2026 rockfall?

On 23 April 2026, a new rockfall was reported between the fumarole area and La Citerne, at the end of the former RD11 road. Take great care in this sector, which is also flagged on the loops via l’Échelle and Galion / Armistice.

Which trails around the volcano are still open?

As of 1 September 2026, the Pas du Roy trail and the Chemin des Dames are listed as accessible. Work is planned on the Chemin des Dames in the second half of 2026, and the ONF (the French national forestry office) installed emergency markers (balises de secours) there in 2025. The route via Carmichaël is also accessible (maintained in January 2026). Whichever trail you take, the summit perimeter remains subject to the order.

What are the best easy hikes in Guadeloupe for beginners?

The official trail sheets distinguish “very easy” and “easy”. We group them together here.

Which family hikes take two hours or less?

Hike	Town	Level	Time	Ascent	Distance
Sentier de la Maison de la Forêt	Petit-Bourg	very easy	1 h	33 m	1.0 km, loop
Littoral du Gosier (Grand Baie)	Le Gosier	very easy	1 h 30	75 m	3.3 km, out and back
Grand Étang	Capesterre-Belle-Eau	easy	1 h 30	94 m	2.3 km, loop
Mamelle de Petit-Bourg	Petit-Bourg	easy	1 h 30	161 m	2.5 km, out and back
Sentier Montana	La Désirade	easy	1 h 30	90 m	4.0 km, loop
Mamelle de Pigeon	Bouillante	easy	1 h 45	161 m	2.1 km, out and back
Sentier d’interprétation du Houëlmont	Gourbeyre	very easy	2 h	62 m	1.0 km, loop
Trace des Ruisseaux	Petit-Bourg	easy	2 h	82 m	2.8 km, loop
Morne Morel	Terre-de-Haut	very easy	2 h	143 m	2.7 km, loop

• Maison de la Forêt: the exhibition space is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4.30 pm, and closed at weekends. The car parks are not supervised, so leave nothing on show in the car.
• Trace des Ruisseaux: renovated in August 2026 with new wooden features. Follow the signs.
• Grand Étang: the water level can vary by several metres depending on the rain.
• Mamelle de Petit-Bourg: take care when crossing the RD23.
• Littoral du Gosier: be back before 5.30 pm, when the Fort Fleur d’Épée car park closes. The wooden bridges are very worn.
• Sentier Montana: almost entirely exposed, with slippery stony stretches and manchineel trees (mancenilliers).
• Morne Morel: lots of side paths, so follow the waymarks closely.

• Petit-Bourg

  Maison de la Forêt et sentier de Bras-David

  National Park visitor centre on the Route de la Traversée, with an exhibition on the rainforest and a discovery trail along the Bras-David river.

  See on the map Directions

• Capesterre-Belle-Eau

  Grand Étang

  A lake in the rainforest on the road to the Chutes du Carbet, with a loop trail around the water.

  See on the map Directions

• Bouillante

  Mamelle de Pigeon

  A 768 m summit overlooking the leeward coast (Côte sous-le-Vent), reached from the Col des Mamelles.

  See on the map Directions

• Gourbeyre

  Houëlmont

  Wooded massif in Gourbeyre (418 m), with a loop and a short interpretation trail run by the ONF (French national forestry office).

  See on the map Directions

Which easy hikes take half a day?

Hike	Town	Time	Ascent	Distance
Tour du Houëlmont	Gourbeyre	2 h 30	336 m	5.6 km, loop
Sentier littoral de Saint-Félix	Le Gosier	2 h 30	76 m	7.5 km, out and back
Solitude	Sainte-Rose	2 h 30	39 m	6.5 km, one way
Littoral de Sainte-Anne (Fonds Thézan)	Sainte-Anne	2 h 30	141 m	5.0 km, out and back
Sentier de la Grande Pointe	Trois-Rivières	3 h	77 m	2.7 km, one way
Sentier de Murat	Grand-Bourg	3 h	153 m	8.9 km, loop
Sentier de Beautiran	Petit-Canal	4 h	89 m	11.5 km, out and back
From Port-Louis to Anse Laborde (BNGT 1)	Port-Louis	5 h	69 m	13.2 km, one way
From Anse Laborde to Porte d’Enfer (BNGT 2)	Nord Grande-Terre	5 h	273 m	12.8 km, one way

• Houëlmont: since May 2020, an ONF diversion has bypassed a rockfall on the north side of the loop. Follow the waymarks.
• Sainte-Anne: the trail is accessible, but a boardwalk is a problem at Dubelley.
• Murat, on Marie-Galante: access to the Coulée Ouliée becomes dangerous in heavy rain.
• Beautiran: since December 2024, the trail starts at the Marches des Esclaves (Slave Steps), in the centre of Petit-Canal.
• Grande Pointe: there is a river to cross.

One trap: the Trace des Crêtes via Bon Air, in Bouillante, is graded “easy” on its trail sheet. It takes 1 h 30 and covers 2.3 km one way, but with 537 m of climbing. Don’t pick it for a first outing with children.

• Le Gosier

  Sentier littoral de Saint-Félix

  Coastal path in Le Gosier between Petit-Havre and Saint-Félix, past coves and a wetland.

  See on the map Directions

• Port-Louis

  Boucle du Nord Grande-Terre

  A 3-stage route from Port-Louis to La Mahaudière via Anse Laborde, the Grande Vigie and the Porte d'Enfer.

  See on the map Directions

Which moderate hikes in Guadeloupe suit you once you have a few outings behind you?

Hike	Town	Time	Ascent	Distance
La Citerne refuge from the Carbet visitor area	Capesterre-Belle-Eau	1 h 30	258 m	1.2 km, one way
Trace du Petit Malendure	Bouillante	2 h	185 m	2.8 km, one way
From Anse à la Gourde to Baie Olive	Saint-François	2 h	89 m	4.9 km, one way
Sentier du Grand Nord	La Désirade	2 h	151 m	1.9 km, loop
Crêtes de Village – Dupuy	Bouillante	3 h	602 m	3.5 km, one way
Sentier du Moule – Bois Baron	Le Moule	3 h	176 m	8.4 km, loop
Trace Delgrès	Saint-Claude	3 h 30	380 m	5.7 km, out and back
Trace des falaises de Marie-Galante	Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante	4 h	214 m	9.9 km, one way
Boucle du Morne Léger	Petit-Bourg	4 h	244 m	7.1 km, one way
Trace des Falaises (BNGT 3)	Nord Grande-Terre	5 h	168 m	11.7 km, one way
Trois Crêtes via the Beaugendre valley	Vieux-Habitants	5 h	not published	3.3 km, out and back

• La Citerne: from the Chutes du Carbet visitor area, a contribution is requested (€6 per adult, €4 per child). The refuge is in fair condition, and a renovation is planned for late 2026. The zigzag road up to the refuge is banned, see below.
• Sentier du Grand Nord: short but steep, it drops down towards the north coast of La Désirade. Avoid it when the sea is rough.
• Le Moule – Bois Baron: tricky stretches along the cliff edge.
• Falaises de Marie-Galante: you are walking through the protected site “Falaises Est de Marie-Galante” (listed since 2004).
• Trois Crêtes: the climb via the Beaugendre valley up to the Crête Corossol is listed as accessible (maintained in April 2026). Other approaches are closed, see below.

• Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante · Marie-Galante

  Falaises de Marie-Galante (trace des falaises)

  Linear trail along the north-east cliffs of Marie-Galante, a protected site ('Falaises Est de Marie-Galante') since 2004.

  See on the map Directions

• La Désirade

  Sentier du Grand Nord (La Désirade)

  Short, steep trail down to the wild north coast of La Désirade; avoid it when the sea is rough.

  See on the map Directions

• Saint-François

  Pointe à la Gourde – Baie Olive

  Coastal path in Saint-François from Anse à la Gourde to Baie Olive, with a view of the Pointe à la Gourde headland.

  See on the map Directions

What are the hardest hikes in Guadeloupe? The tough trails of Basse-Terre

Hike	Town	Time	Ascent	Distance
Boucle Galion / Armistice	Gourbeyre	3 h 30	427 m	6.2 km, loop
Merwart	Petit-Bourg	3 h 30	753 m	6.6 km, one way
Grande Découverte	Saint-Claude	4 h	578 m	7.5 km, out and back
La Soufrière (from the Bains Jaunes)	Saint-Claude	4 h 30	510 m	6.0 km, out and back
La Soufrière via l’Échelle	Saint-Claude	5 h	712 m	8.2 km, loop
Monts Caraïbes	Gourbeyre / Vieux-Fort	5 h	645 m	7.5 km, loop
Boucle de la Rivière Quiock	Petit-Bourg	5 h	276 m	7.1 km, loop
La Soufrière via Carmichaël	Saint-Claude	6 h	934 m	12.2 km, out and back
Boucle des Étangs	Trois-Rivières	6 h	497 m	7.3 km, loop
Piton Baille-Argent via Belle Hôtesse	Pointe-Noire	6 h	696 m	9.2 km, one way
Boucle Tête Allègre / Sofaïa	Sainte-Rose	6 h	876 m	14.3 km, loop
Trace des Alizés nord	Sainte-Rose	7 h	932 m	14.1 km, one way

• Merwart: going with a guide is recommended. Don’t set off after 1 pm without a torch.
• Galion / Armistice: several river crossings. The Trace de l’Armistice was maintained in June 2026.
• Monts Caraïbes: reopened in February 2024 after the October 2023 storms. Follow the diversions waymarked by the ONF.
• Grande Découverte: loop maintained in February 2026, emergency markers in place.
• Tête Allègre / Sofaïa: dangerous in wet weather. ONF emergency markers.
• Alizés nord: maintained in March 2026. A long, muddy route, and the water at the refuges is not drinkable.

• Saint-Claude Must-see

  La Soufrière

  The summit is only accessible with a licensed mountain leader (prefectoral order of 22 July 2026). Check the observatory's alert level before you set off.

  Active volcano, 1,467 m high. Summit access regulated since 2024 (official order of 22 July 2026): the public may only go up with a licensed mountain leader.

  See on the map Directions

• Trois-Rivières

  Boucle des Étangs

  A long loop around the massif's lakes (Grand Étang, As de Pique…) through dense forest; a variant of the GR G1 long-distance trail.

  See on the map Directions

• Sainte-Rose

  Trace des Alizés nord

  Northern section of the GR G1 long-distance trail, from the Traversée to the north of Basse-Terre via the Morne Léger and Belle-Hôtesse refuges. A long, muddy route.

  See on the map Directions

Are there difficult hikes on Grande-Terre too?

Yes, even without much climbing. “D’Anse à l’Eau à Anse Montal”, in Saint-François, is graded difficult: 5 h, 193 m of ascent, 9.0 km one way, with a dangerous stretch along the cliff edge at Anse Gros Morne. So is “De Bois Baron à Anse Maurice”, in Le Moule: 4 h, 145 m, 5.2 km one way.

What about walks without an official trail sheet?

Le Chameau, the highest point of Terre-de-Haut (309 m), is reached by a trail maintained by the ONF, listed as accessible as of 1 September 2026. With no Rando Guadeloupe trail sheet, it has no official time or ascent, so we don’t grade it. The same goes for Grande Anse – Morne Sec and the island loop on Terre-de-Bas, both accessible as of 1 September 2026.

The Route de la Traversée (RD23) is not a hike, but it takes you to the Maison de la Forêt and the Mamelle de Petit-Bourg.

• Terre-de-Haut · Les Saintes Must-see

  Le Chameau

  The highest point of Terre-de-Haut (309 m), reached by a trail maintained by the ONF.

  See on the map Directions

• Pointe-Noire

  Route de la Traversée

  The D23 road across the heart of the National Park between Petit-Bourg and Pointe-Noire, serving waterfalls, picnic areas and trails.

  See on the map Directions

Which hiking trails in Guadeloupe are closed or not recommended in 2026?

Don’t go: these trails or sections are closed, banned or reported in poor condition by the official documents.

Trail	Town	Status	Source
Boucle de Desbordes	Petit-Bourg	Inaccessible as of 1 September 2026, municipal order (arrêté municipal) no. 2021.12.107 of 11 December 2021, damage from Storm Fiona	Status report 1 September 2026
La Citerne zigzag road – refuge	Capesterre-Belle-Eau	Banned, rockfalls since 2020, municipal order no. 2021-59 of 17 October 2021	Status report 1 September 2026
Dupuy and Tarissan chasms, Cratère Sud	Saint-Claude	Banned to everyone except rescue services and scientists	Order no. 2026-0013/CAB/SIDPC
Mamalier	Vieux-Habitants	Inaccessible as of 1 September 2026	Status report 1 September 2026
Trace des Vallées (Grivelière – Crête Corossol) and the Grande Rivière variant of the Trois Crêtes	Vieux-Habitants	Inaccessible, rockfall after Fiona (2022)	Status report 1 September 2026
Chemin du Boeing, route de Mazeau, access to the route de Savane Paille	Sainte-Rose	Strictly banned by municipal order, landslide of 3 December 2024	Trail status
Remains of the Poyen windmill	Petit-Canal	Banned from 1 September 2026 until further notice; the carbet (open-sided shelter) and the pond remain accessible	Trail status
Deshaies coastal path, at the foot of Morne Gadet	Deshaies	Passage banned since 2022	Status report 1 September 2026
Morne Cadet – Saint-Jean Bosco	Gourbeyre	Not recommended by the official trail sheet (lack of maintenance, Fiona)	Official trail sheet
Trace des Poteaux	Capesterre-Belle-Eau	Poor condition as of 1 September 2026	Status report 1 September 2026
Trois Crêtes refuge – Piton de Bouillante	Bouillante	Section in poor condition as of 1 September 2026	Status report 1 September 2026

Take great care too on two coastal paths that are open: a major subsidence at Anse des Îles (Sainte-Rose) and a subsidence at Pointe du Vieux-Fort (Deshaies), both on 5 May 2025, with temporary waymarking.

In Gourbeyre, the Morne Cadet – Bisdary loop remains accessible: the damage is between Morne Cadet and Saint-Jean Bosco.

How should you prepare for a hike in Guadeloupe?

Why should you start early?

The trail sheets say so: no setting off after 1 pm without a torch on Merwart, and not after 3 pm on the Trace des Galbas in Sainte-Rose. And in Le Gosier, the Fort Fleur d’Épée car park closes at 5.30 pm.

Do you need to bring your own water?

On the Route de la Traversée there is no petrol station and no shop. On the Trace des Alizés nord, the water at the refuges is not drinkable. Fill your water bottles before you leave town.

Rain and rivers: when should you turn back?

Rain changes everything. The Trace des Galbas becomes slippery and muddy, the Tête Allègre / Sofaïa loop is dangerous, and so is the access to the Coulée Ouliée on Marie-Galante. The Route de la Traversée can close after heavy rain. On trails with river crossings (Galion / Armistice, Rivière Quiock, Grande Pointe), if the water rises or turns cloudy, you don’t cross: you turn back. For rivers and pools, read our guide to waterfalls and hot springs too.

Who should you tell before you go?

Tell someone close to you which trail you are doing and what time you expect to be back. On several mountain trails (Grande Découverte, Tête Allègre, Carmichaël), the ONF has installed emergency markers: look out for them as you walk.

Why should you stick to the waymarks?

Several trails follow diversions or temporary waymarking: Houëlmont, Monts Caraïbes, and the coastal paths of Deshaies and Sainte-Rose. Don’t cut across on an old path.

On the day, keep two habits: the trail status page (in French) for recent alerts, and the full status report as of 1 September 2026 (in French), trail by trail. To see every trailhead on a map, use the hiking map (in French).