Le Prêcheur between black coves and waterfalls

Le Prêcheur combines black-sand coves with hiking trails that wind through tropical forest and lead to waterfalls. You can shape your stay around different landscapes and hiking experiences, from the trail along Cascade Couleuvre to the longer route to Grand-Rivière. The history of the area can also be found in its coastal landscape and distinctive buildings.

Forest and waterfall at Anse Couleuvre

The Sentier de la cascade Couleuvre starts at Anse Couleuvre and follows the river of the same name upstream. Along the way, tropical forest, kapok and cacao trees, lianas and large roots shape the landscape; lizards are also part of the wildlife in this forest. You cross the river several times before reaching Cascade Couleuvre. The waterfall is about twenty metres high and is one of the tallest on the island, but carries little water.

When planning your hike, it is important to note the trail route: you return along the same path, so this is not a loop. The Sentier de la cascade Couleuvre is maintained by the Office national des forêts (ONF) and the Conservatoire du littoral. Check current trail conditions before setting out. This will help you fit the outing into your stay without planning the return journey as an additional route.

Between Le Prêcheur and Grand-Rivière

Another hike leads from Le Prêcheur to the commune of Grand-Rivière. The trail follows a former departmental road that once connected the settlements of Le Prêcheur and Grand-Rivière by ox cart. It runs from the dry forest near Anse Couleuvre and Cap Saint-Martin into the humid forest areas around Rivière Trois Bras and Fond Moulin. Plants found there include palmiste and Bois Rivière trees. The hike also passes wild coves along the Caribbean coast and waterfalls at the foot of Montagne Pelée, including near Rivière Trois Bras.

The hike to the waterfalls at the foot of Montagne Pelée near Rivière Trois Bras is said to take six hours. Treat this as a guide: conditions and your own pace affect how long you will be on the trail. The route between the two communes is therefore quite different from the Sentier de la cascade Couleuvre, where you return to the starting point along the same path. Which hike suits your stay will depend in part on whether you are planning an outing that retraces its route or a hike between two communes.

Coves, ruins and architectural history

Le Prêcheur’s black-sand coves include Anse des Galets, Anse la Celle and Anse Couleuvre. The coves contain ruins of forts or former sugar plantations. The coastline thus brings together nature and traces of history, though you should not expect to find the same ruins at every cove. If you like to combine outings with a look at the area’s cultural heritage, the church of Le Prêcheur adds to this picture: its 17th-century square bell tower stands apart. Three bells in Le Prêcheur were donated by Madame de Maintenon.

Hiking options to help you choose where to stay

Le Prêcheur is also a starting point for hikes along the Chemin des Anses, to Montagne Pelée via Grande Savane, and to Rivière Trois Bras. Together with the Sentier de la cascade Couleuvre and the route to Grand-Rivière, these trails offer a range of destinations and landscapes. These interests can be a useful starting point when choosing a holiday rental: consider which outings you want to shape your stay and whether you would prefer a single hike to Cascade Couleuvre or a longer route between communes. Before setting out, check current trail conditions and plan a timeframe that suits your itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bellefontaine, Saint-Pierre, Le Carbet, Case-Pilote, Fonds-Saint-Denis.

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