Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
GOING BEYOND THE BEACH
If your muscles are starting to shrivel after one too many days of beachbasking, take the time to explore the is-
land's recesses that can only be reached by walking paths - you'll discover plenty of secret spots known only to
locals. Tracks are not well defined and are difficult to find and to follow; it's advisable to go with a guide. Walk-
ing guides include Robert Agnes, whose company,
Sunny Trail Guide
( 2525357;
www.sunnytrailguide.net
;
La Passe; by reservation) , had good credentials at the time of research;
Roland Sultan
( 2547859,
2567147; La Passe; by reservation) , who is very knowledgeable about flora; and
Rhondy Payet
(
2590368; La Passe; by reservation) . Reckon on €30 to €40 per person, depending on the walk. Fruits and
sandwiches are included.
Nid d'Aigle
Ready to huff and puff? Tackle Nid d'Aigle (Eagle's Nest), the highest point on La Digue (333m), which com-
mands sensational views. From La Passe, follow the inland concrete road that leads up to Snack Bellevue (it's
signposted), then take the narrow path that starts behind the
snack
. After about 15 minutes, you'll reach an inter-
section on a ridge; turn right and follow the path until you reach Nid d'Aigle (no sign) after another 10 minutes.
From Nid d'Aigle, it's possible to descend to Anse Cocos (add another 90 minutes), but a guide is mandatory as
the path is overgrown.
Grand Anse to Anse Cocos
From Loutier Coco (
Click here
) restaurant, it's an easy 15-minute walk to Petite Anse on a fairly well-defined
path. From Petite Anse, it takes another 20 minutes to reach Anse Cocos, but the path is not clear - it's best to go
with a guide.
Grand Anse to Anse Marron
If you have time for only one walk, this is the most scenic. The coastline between Grand Anse and Anse Marron
is extremely alluring: a string of hard-to-reach inlets lapped by azure waters, with the mandatory idyllic beach
fringing the shore, and vast expanses of chaotic granite boulders. From Loutier Coco, it takes roughly 1¼ hours to
reach Anse Marron (
Click here
), a gem of solitude. It's poorly marked, so you'll definitely need a guide. From
Anse Marron, you can continue as far as Anse Source d'Argent at low tide, but there's a short section where
you'll have to walk knee-deep in the water.
Anse Source d'Argent to Anse Marron
From Anse Source d'Argent, a memorable adventure consists of climbing up the granite hills that loom above the
southwest coast before getting down to
Anse Pierrot
, from where you can continue along the shore to
Anse aux
Cèdres
and
Anse Bonnet Kare
(and back to Anse Source d'Argent along the shore). The beauty of these stun-
ning swaths of sand lies in the fact that they're totally secluded and there's no road here.
It's an arduous climb to reach the top of the granite hills but the panoramic views will be etched in your
memory forever. It's a half-day excursion. It's also possible to continue as far as Anse Marron and up to Grand
Anse.
Activities
