Mafate
Îlet à Malheur
An îlet marked by the memory of marronage
Duration
Depends on route
Distance
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A small îlet (hamlet) in eastern Mafate, whose name is marked by the history of marronage — a bloody episode in the hunt for runaway slaves is said to have taken place here in 1829.
The route
Îlet à Malheur is one of the most secluded hamlets in the Cirque de Mafate, located between Aurère and Grand Place in the eastern part of the cirque. Its name, heavy with history, recalls the ordeals of the maroons (escaped slaves) who took refuge in this almost inaccessible hideaway in the 18th century to escape their masters.\n\nAurère is the usual base for reaching Îlet à Malheur, about a 40-minute walk along the GRR3. The route crosses the Ravine Carreau Chouchou on a suspension footbridge and climbs gradually. The îlet itself is tiny — a few Creole houses (cases), a football pitch and a breathtaking view of the cirque walls. It makes a memorable stop on a multi-day circuit in Mafate.
Trailhead
Sources (1)
- Les-Lataniers.com — Cirque de Mafate
