Martinique is a hiker's island. A volcano, rainforest, dry savanna and rugged coast sit within a short drive of one another, and well-marked trails link many of them. This guide picks the walks that give the best return for visitors, explains how hard each one is and shows how to fit them into a trip. The tourism board lists many more routes, and guides from the island's hiking committee can lead the harder ones.
Mount Pelée
At 1,397 metres it is the island's highest point and the volcano that destroyed Saint-Pierre in 1902. The easiest and most popular route is L'Aileron, which starts from the car park at Morne Rouge at about 820 metres. It is around 7.5 kilometres with roughly 700 metres of climbing, about three hours round trip to the second refuge and about five and a half hours if you continue to the summit, Le Chinois, and walk around the caldera. Start early and aim to reach the top before 10am, because cloud often builds later. Two harder routes, the Grande Savane trail from Le Prêcheur and the Morne-Macouba trail from Grand Rivière, suit experienced hikers.
La Caravelle Nature Reserve
On the Atlantic coast near Tartane, this protected peninsula of 378 hectares offers dry forest, mangroves, plantations and sheltered coves, with a shorter loop and a longer circuit. It is drier and sunnier than the north, with fewer clouds to spoil the view, and the Baie du Trésor makes a good swimming stop. There is little shade, so bring plenty of water and start early.
Morne Larcher
Above Le Diamant, this walk of about two hours starts at the Anse Cafard car park and climbs more than 400 metres, mostly in shade, to a summit that overlooks Diamond Rock. It is steep and can be slippery after rain, but it is a compact, rewarding outing, and it ends near the beach at Le Diamant for a swim afterward.
Savane des Pétrifications
In Sainte-Anne, in the dry far south, the trail from Anse à Prune beach crosses an arid, rocky, desert-like landscape with rocks that seem frozen in time. It is a gentle walk but has almost no shade, so go early or late. It pairs well with a beach day at Les Salines.
Longer and harder routes
For experienced hikers, the tourism board describes the Trace des Caps along the south coast, about 30 kilometres in four sections that most people split across several days, and the Pitons du Carbet, a chain of five peaks that is often in cloud and needs at least six and a half hours on steep, slippery trails, with a guide for the roped sections. The route from Grand Rivière to Le Prêcheur is about 16 kilometres one way through forest on the volcano's flank, with no phone signal, so go with an expert and arrange transport back.
Gardens and gentle walks
Not every outing needs boots. Jardin de Balata, in the hills above Fort-de-France, is an easy walk among tropical plants, and the capital itself is walkable. The half-day nature and panorama tour covers the interior by road with viewpoints, which suits visitors who want scenery without a hike.
Safety and preparation
Never hike alone on a mountain trail, and tell someone your route and expected return. Wear shoes with grip, since roots, rock and mud can be slippery, and carry at least two litres of water per person on exposed routes, along with snacks, sun protection, a hat and a waterproof layer. Weather changes fast, especially on Mount Pelée, so check the forecast and local conditions with the hiking committee or your hotel before you go. Start early on every route, and turn back if the weather turns or the trail looks unsafe.
Planning your walks
For a short trip, choose one major hike and one easy walk, and keep the rest of your time for beaches and boat trips. A good pairing is the Mount Pelée climb on a clear morning followed by a quiet afternoon in Saint-Pierre, or Morne Larcher in the morning and a swim at Le Diamant. The dry season, from about December to May, is the most reliable for trails, but the interior is greenest in the wetter months. Whatever your choice, a morning start is the single best habit for any walk on the island.