Discover the best spots on the Route de la Traversée

From the Route de la Traversée, it's an easy walk along a well-maintained path to the famous Écrevisses waterfall. The walk takes no more than ten minutes and follows a pleasant shady path alongside the River Corossol. A car park is available on site, allowing you to park without hassle at the start of the walk.

A must-see tourist attraction in Guadeloupe, the Cascade aux Écrevisses attracts over 200,000 visitors every year! Once you've reached the foot of the waterfall (10 metres high), don't hesitate to take a dip in the small natural pool. Don't worry, it's guaranteed to be free of crayfish, a species that hasn't been around for a very long time. Only the cold water might surprise you!

Another not-to-be-missed stop on the Route de la Traversée is the Maison de la Forêt. Here, visitors are plunged into a dense forest via a wooden footbridge leading to a discovery trail. The trail is the starting point for many hikes in the National Park, one of the best-preserved forests in the Lesser Antilles.

Here are the different walks to discover:

• The interpretation trail, the most accessible route. After taking the suspended footbridge, allow around 30 minutes for the walk.
• The Bras David trail takes you deeper into the forest for 40 minutes, before returning to the interpretation trail.
• La trace des ruisseaux, which takes around 1h30 but is still easy. This hike follows a loop along the Davis River, then a path parallel to the Route de la Traversée.
• The final 4-kilometre hike will take around 3 hours. Not recommended for children, this trail takes you deep into the forest to a beautiful tree canopy, where you can cool off with a dip.

To the sound of frogs, these different paths reveal 2,700 species of flowering plants, including around a hundred orchids, over 300 species of tree and 250 species of fern. Discover tree ferns, water lianas, tropical flowers and birds with enchanting names like the manioc cuckoo or the trembling thrush...

The site also features an exhibition on Guadeloupe's forests. And if you fancy a bite to eat, there's a picnic area along the Bras David river. Weather permitting, you can even go for a swim!

To complete your road-trip along the Route de la Traversée, what could be better than some superb scenery? The Morne à Louis viewpoint, accessible in just 15 minutes by car from the main route of the Route de la Traversée, is sure to please. Situated on a peak 743 metres above sea level, this viewpoint offers an exceptional panorama of Pointe-à-Pitre, Le Petit and Le Grand Cul de Sac marin. To get to the viewpoint, simply take the small road on the left as you leave the Tapeur leisure park; just follow the signs and let yourself be seduced by this unique place.