Etangs circular trail

13 points of interest

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  Information board

  Info point 17: "The tree of a thousand buttresses"

  The Acomat boucan (Sloanea caribaea) belongs to the Elaeocarpaceae family. It is an extremely large tree that can grow up to 40 metres tall. It is the most spectacular tree in the Sloanea genus, with an exposed trunk and magnificent buttresses. Its bark is reddish-brown and tends to flake off in thin strips when the tree ages. Formerly, visitors to the forest would use its enormous buttresses to shelter their fires and to smoke meat. It has since been established that lighting fires among the roots is not conducive to the well-being of trees.

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  Information board

  Info point 16: "A fragile soil"

  Plant roots in the soil are easy to spot throughout the trail. They are evidence of a young and shallow soil, which was only set down very recently.

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  Fauna

  Bats

  When you turn right, you may be able to hear the unmistakeable sound of bats, which inhabit this area.

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  Flora

  The Gommier

  The Gommier (Daryodes excelsa) can grow up to 35m high. When they are damaged, its white trunk and roots exude a white resin with a pungent turpentine smell, which is traditionally used as incense or to start fires, because it burns slowly regardless of the surrounding humidity. It is reported that the tree has the ability to cast out spirits. It is strictly forbidden to take away any plant parts from the National Park. Its trunk was used by American Indians to make their canoes (kanawa), and is still used today by coastal people from many tropical countries, such as Dominique, to make fishing vessels. Its green seeds are popular with pigeons.

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  Flora

  Bwa rouj carapate

  A member of the Euphorbiacieae family, Amanoa caribeae is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. It is a large tree with a trunk that rests straight on its buttresses, depending on the terrain. The most distinctive feature of this species is its reddish bark and roots at the foot of the trunk. Its leaves vary in shape: sometimes they are whole, sometimes pointed. Its flowers form small clusters, while its very hard wood was used as timber or in carpentry.

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  Fauna

  Osprey

  An opening in the vegetation provides the perfect vantage point to see some ospreys. The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a raptor with its own scientific family, the Pandionidae. In Guadeloupe it is known as the Gligli montagne. It has a blue/black beak, with dark brown plumage on its back and a speckled brown/white belly. It measures between 55-60 cm and boasts a wingspan of 1.8 metres. It feeds on the fish that it catches in ponds or at the seafront.

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  Geology

  How the Grand Etang was formed

  The largest pond in the Basse-Terre mountains, the Carib Indians called it "the great water of the mountain".
  More than 10,000 years ago, a natural depression was formed between the lava flows of the Madeleine and Morne Boudoute, pushing against Morne Dongo. With its waterproof clay bedrock, the natural basin quickly filled up with water, forming into the Grand Etang pond.
  As it was eroded over time, the Grand Etang gradually filled up with materials from the hillsides around it. Plant formations started to develop from the banks and shallows, eventually covering the entire lake. Unless appropriate action is taken, by pulling up and cutting down the plants, and dredging the sediment, the Grand Etang looks set to disappear completely.

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  Viewpoint

  As-de-Pique and Citerne

  View of l'Etang As-de-Pique and the top of the Citerne (known for its French TV antenna).

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  Pond

  L'Etang As-de-Pique

  Etang As-de-Pique, set at 748 metres above sea level.

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  Flora

  Geonoma

  There are two species of palm in the Geonoma genus that are endemic to the Lesser Antilles and that co-exist in Guadeloupe. G. dussiana (10-15 cm in diameter) has a bigger stipe (trunk) than G. martinicensis (3-5 cm in diameter).

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  Flora

  Mapou baril

  Sterculia caribea is endemic to the Lesser Antilles. Depending on the age of the plant, its leaves come in different shapes. Its fruits - large woody follicles that cluster together in groups of four or five - are highly distinctive. They are lined with urticating bristles on the inside. Its flowers appear in the form of a bunch of small yellow and pink bells.

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  Pond

  Etang Roche

  L'Etang Roche is set at 650 metres above sea level. It is almost always dry, especially during Lent (the driest season in Guadeloupe, running from December to June).

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  Pond

  Etang Madère

  Beautiful views of l'Etang Madère and the Madeleine massif. The pond is almost always dry.