The Trace des Caps is a hiking route located in the extreme south of Martinique, which goes from Petit Macabou to Sainte-Anne. It is very popular with visitors and inhabitants of the island, because it offers a variety of landscapes ranging from frequented or wild beaches, wooded and open spaces or even deserts, a rugged terrain and exceptional views.
It is divided into 5 sections: From Petit Macabou to Cap Macré, the coves (beaches) and cliffs follow one another. The Domaine du Grand Macabou offers a landscape composed of ponds, plantations and botanical paths. The main trees encountered are the seaside grape tree, the almond tree, the pear tree, the mancellinier (*), the galba and the red gum tree. Coconut trees dominate the beach.
From Cap Macré to Cap Chevalier, the wild beaches are exceptional. The cliffs open onto magnificent views and impressive colors. While walking, one can recognize the red mangle, the ti-baume, a frangipani tree or agaves.
From Anse Grosse Roche to Cap Chevalier, the Chevalier islet, the beaches and the mangrove of the Baie des Anglais are varied and remarkable sites. The mangrove of the Baie des Anglais is one of the most beautiful of the island. The red mangroves are followed by white mangles and other grey mangles.
From Anse Trabaud to the Salines, the foresters maintain a vegetation of coconut trees, grape trees by the sea, almond trees, olive trees and pear trees. Due to the high number of visitors (especially on the well-known beach of Les Salines), the vegetation is subject to very strong tourist pressure. The Savane des Petrifications was a sanctuary of petrified wood, nowadays plundered. Time has shaped a unique landscape in Martinique.
From the Salines to Anse Caritan, the path that runs along the coast from the Salines to Anse Caritan is a family walk. At Caritan, the coastline is particularly calm. You can find Catalpa (yellow flowers), Mahogany small leaves, mancenillier and red gum tree. At Anse Meunier, salt marshes were once exploited.