Sentier Scout

One of the historic trails into Mafate, linking the Col des Bœufs area with the îlets (hamlets) of Aurère and Îlet à Malheur.

The route

The Sentier Scout is one of the historic ways into the Cirque de Mafate from the Salazie side. Unlike the main route via the Col des Bœufs, it follows a narrower, wilder path that descends directly to Aurère and Îlet à Malheur. It takes its name from the scout groups who explored it in the 1960s and 1970s.\n\nThe start is on the Col des Bœufs road, about 3 km before the car park at the pass (Salazie side). The trail first crosses dense cryptomeria woodland, then follows the ridges of the Deux Fesses and the Grand Rein before plunging down to Aurère (7 km, about 3 h of descent, ~960 m of descent). It can be combined with the Augustave trail for a different return and a 16 km loop (7 h round trip, +960 m elevation gain).