Houëlmont educational trail
AAMG
Gourbeyre

Houëlmont educational trail

Discovery trail
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A pleasant walk through mesophile (semi-humid) vegetation at the summit of a strange kind of mountain, the Houëlmont.
Historic remains, endemic fauna and flora of Guadeloupe all feature in the trail.

4 points of interest

  • panneau
    panneau - AAMG
    Geology

    The Houëlmont geological history

    The Houëlmont dome, the scene for this trail, is made up of materials, stone blocks and ash emitted by two nearby eruptions of the "Grande Voûte" crater and the "Gros Acajou" volcano.
  • Herbe poison
    Herbe poison - AAMG
    Flora

    Herbe poison

    Herbe poison (Lobelia Persicifolia), literally "poison grass", is endemic to Guadeloupe and found nowhere else. It is relatively widespread in both the mesophile forest (with average humidity) and hygrophile or rain forest.
    It is thought to have been used by native Americans to intoxicate fish, making it easier to catch them.
  • canon
    canon - AAMG
    History

    Houëlmont artillery battery

    Here we can see the remains of the foundations and a cannon from an artillery battery.
    The south of Basse-Terre is richly endowed in these remains. The fort was once used to defend the island against invasion.
  • AAMG
    Pond

    Houëlmont pond

    Houëlmont pond is unusual in being suspended, as it were, between two slopes. It is on a narrow sloping ledge in a surprising position. It is a source of life for local fauna: many dragonflies come here to reproduce and there are also small fish.

Description

You start off by going through the gate at the side of the barrier. A National Forests Office sign shows the entrance. The way is quite straightforward along a path with clear, yellow markings. Be careful in wet weather, the path can get slippery. A few steps have been added to make progress easier.
NB: the ONF has produced the "Sylvascope" for the educational trail. This is a tablet guide introducing you to the forest with a quiz about the environment. The terminals along the way correspond to guide stations. Pick up the tablet from the ONF Sylvathèque in Gourbeyre before setting off on the hike (0590 81 37 57 or 0590 99 28 99). You can also download the Sylvascope app from the Google Play and Apple stores.
  • Departure : Volcanological Observatory, Houëlmont, Gourbeyre.
  • Arrival : Volcanological Observatory, Houëlmont, Gourbeyre.
  • Towns crossed : Gourbeyre

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Don't forget a good pair of walking shoes, a walking pole for those who need help in keeping their balance and for the climbs, a fully charged mobile phone and some water.
In this natural setting, you should be particularly careful and alert, since Guadeloupe is subject to natural risks. It is vital to act in a responsible way, so that everyone can enjoy the hike!
Please note: unsupervised car park.

Information desks

rond point "Dos d'Ane", Valkanaërs, 97113 Gourbeyre

http://gourbeyre-tourisme.fr/contact@gourbeyre-tourisme.fr05 90 92 21 64

Transport

No public transport. A car is essential.

Access and parking

GPS starting point: 15,98045° N - Long: 61,70375° W.
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Arriving from the N1 road, in Gourbeyre, head for Blanchet, Bisdary. Follow the signs to the Vocanological Observatory. Go up to the top of the morne (hill) along the concrete road.

Parking :

Park your car just next to the Vocanological centre fence.

Source

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