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Martinique🇲🇶 | hikesLa Trace des CapsDry southern cape, salt ponds, fossil wood plateau, Atlantic and calm bays | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in La Trace des Caps
🏆 Top pickhike ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Travelers often assume La Trace des Caps climbs through rainforest like the northern trails. It is a dry coastal path of scrub, salt ponds and open headlands, so shade is thin and the sun does the work. La Trace des Caps runs along the southern tip of Martinique, around Sainte-Anne and the capes beyond it. The scenery is the draw: Atlantic surf on one side, turquoise bays on the other, and almost no big climbs. Difficulty is low, but heat makes it feel harder. Reaching Sainte-Anne by public transport is easy, with shared minibuses running from Fort-de-France and Le Marin, but they thin out by late afternoon, so start early and leave yourself a margin. Carry more water than seems sensible, because shops vanish once you leave the village. Keep clear of manchineel trees on the beaches (the fruit and sap burn), and wear repellent at dusk. It suits easygoing walkers who like beaches more than summits. It disappoints anyone wanting cool forest and big elevation.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Martinique Travel Guide.
Best time to go: November - April
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 28 kilometers
Total ascent: 200 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 hike in MartiniqueWhat makes this hike worth hiking

La Trace des Caps gives you a long run of empty Atlantic coastline for almost no effort, and that is why backpackers keep it on the list. The ground stays gentle, so you can walk a couple of hours to a beach or string together a full day, and you can stop whenever the heat wins. Starting at Sainte-Anne matters too: it has a bakery, small restaurants and shared minibuses, so you can arrive without a car and leave the same way. The route also links neatly into a loop around the south, pairing a wild day with a night in a village guesthouse. Most of the payoff is in the contrast. You pass the calm swimming water near Grande Anse des Salines and then, a few hours on, reach the stark, wind-scoured land near Cap Macré, where hardly anyone else walks. Few trails on the island change mood so fast. … read more 👉
La Trace des Caps gives you a long run of empty Atlantic coastline for almost no effort, and that is why backpackers keep it on the list. The ground stays gentle, so you can walk a couple of hours to a beach or string together a full day, and you can stop whenever the heat wins. Starting at Sainte-Anne matters too: it has a bakery, small restaurants and shared minibuses, so you can arrive without a car and leave the same way. The route also links neatly into a loop around the south, pairing a wild day with a night in a village guesthouse. Most of the payoff is in the contrast. You pass the calm swimming water near Grande Anse des Salines and then, a few hours on, reach the stark, wind-scoured land near Cap Macré, where hardly anyone else walks. Few trails on the island change mood so fast. For travelers who are used to Martinique’s green interior, this side feels dry, open and surprisingly quiet outside weekends.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Grande Anse des Salines: The best-known beach on the trail, a long curve of pale sand lined with coconut palms and sea grape. The water is shallow and calm, and it is the easiest place for a swim break. Arrive on a weekday morning, since weekends fill up with local families.
  2. Savane des Pétrifications: A dry, rocky plateau of scrub and cactus scattered with pieces of fossilized wood. It looks nothing like the rest of the island and feels more like a desert. Bring a hat, because there is almost no shade.
  3. Anse Trabaud: A wide beach on the Atlantic side with stronger surf and far fewer people. Swimming needs care here, but the long open views and the wind make it a good lunch stop.
  4. Cap Macré: A rugged headland where the path runs close to cliffs and low, wind-bent vegetation. Waves hit the rocks
… read more 👉
  1. Grande Anse des Salines: The best-known beach on the trail, a long curve of pale sand lined with coconut palms and sea grape. The water is shallow and calm, and it is the easiest place for a swim break. Arrive on a weekday morning, since weekends fill up with local families.
  2. Savane des Pétrifications: A dry, rocky plateau of scrub and cactus scattered with pieces of fossilized wood. It looks nothing like the rest of the island and feels more like a desert. Bring a hat, because there is almost no shade.
  3. Anse Trabaud: A wide beach on the Atlantic side with stronger surf and far fewer people. Swimming needs care here, but the long open views and the wind make it a good lunch stop.
  4. Cap Macré: A rugged headland where the path runs close to cliffs and low, wind-bent vegetation. Waves hit the rocks below, and the horizon is wide and empty. It is a good place to slow down and watch seabirds.
  5. Pointe Marin: A sheltered beach near Sainte-Anne with calm, clear water and a few small stalls. It is an easy place to start or finish the walk, and a rinse in the sea here after hours in the sun feels excellent.
La Trace des Caps pairs Grande Anse des Salines with the Savane des Pétrifications well in one day, since the beach swim comes first and the dry plateau follows once the morning heat has built.
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Things to do near La Trace des Caps

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🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (Feb to May): The best window for La Trace des Caps, with the least rain and steady trade winds. Highs run 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), nights 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F), and the mud on the Cap Chevalier and Cap Macré sections stays manageable.
  • Hot, Wet Season (Jun to Nov): Afternoon downpours are routine, humidity climbs, and highs reach 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F). Hurricane risk peaks from August to October, so trails can close and ferries and flights get disrupted. Lodging is cheapest now.
  • Cooler Season (Dec to Jan): Showers are shorter, with highs near 29°C (84°F) and the best breeze for walking. Daylight lasts roughly 11.5 to 13 hours all year, so start early to finish before dusk. Christmas and New Year bring local holiday crowds and higher prices for rooms and rental cars.
  • Weekends and
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (Feb to May): The best window for La Trace des Caps, with the least rain and steady trade winds. Highs run 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F), nights 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F), and the mud on the Cap Chevalier and Cap Macré sections stays manageable.
  • Hot, Wet Season (Jun to Nov): Afternoon downpours are routine, humidity climbs, and highs reach 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F). Hurricane risk peaks from August to October, so trails can close and ferries and flights get disrupted. Lodging is cheapest now.
  • Cooler Season (Dec to Jan): Showers are shorter, with highs near 29°C (84°F) and the best breeze for walking. Daylight lasts roughly 11.5 to 13 hours all year, so start early to finish before dusk. Christmas and New Year bring local holiday crowds and higher prices for rooms and rental cars.
  • Weekends and Holidays: Beaches along the route fill with Martinican families, while weekdays leave the headland trails nearly empty.
Start at first light on a weekday in March or April, and you get dry footing, cooler hours and the coastline mostly to yourself.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🥾 Hike detailsA practical overview of the hike

Total Distance: La Trace des Caps covers roughly 25 to 30 kilometers if walked end to end along the southern coast, though it breaks easily into shorter sections.
Estimated Duration: Plan on 2 days at a relaxed pace, or several shorter half-day walks from Sainte-Anne.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Slopes are gentle, and the real challenge is heat, sun exposure and sandy stretches that slow you down.
Starting Point: Sainte-Anne village. Shared minibuses and taxis connect it with Le Marin and Fort-de-France, so no car is needed. Services thin out late in the day.
Major Landmarks:
  • Pointe Marin: A calm
… read more 👉
Total Distance: La Trace des Caps covers roughly 25 to 30 kilometers if walked end to end along the southern coast, though it breaks easily into shorter sections.
Estimated Duration: Plan on 2 days at a relaxed pace, or several shorter half-day walks from Sainte-Anne.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Slopes are gentle, and the real challenge is heat, sun exposure and sandy stretches that slow you down.
Starting Point: Sainte-Anne village. Shared minibuses and taxis connect it with Le Marin and Fort-de-France, so no car is needed. Services thin out late in the day.
Major Landmarks:
  • Pointe Marin: A calm beach near the village, useful for starting or finishing.
  • Grande Anse des Salines: The longest and most popular beach on the route.
  • Savane des Pétrifications: Dry plateau with fossilized wood and cactus.
  • Anse Trabaud: Wild Atlantic beach with strong surf.
  • Cap Macré: Windswept headland near the eastern end.
Terrain and Scenery: Sand, packed earth, rocky ground and coastal tracks. Views alternate between turquoise Caribbean bays and rougher Atlantic shoreline, with salt ponds inland.
Vegetation: Dry scrub forest, cactus, sea grape, coconut palms and mangrove patches near ponds. Manchineel trees grow near some beaches, so do not touch the fruit or sap and do not shelter under them in rain.
Wildlife: Expect lizards, hermit crabs and seabirds, and herons around the salt ponds. Mosquitoes and sandflies are active at dusk.
Practical Notes: Carry plenty of water, a hat and sun protection. Shade is rare and refill points are few once you leave the village.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

La Trace des Caps is a well-marked coastal walk with no serious objective hazards, and most problems come from heat and mud rather than danger. Midday sun on the exposed headlands is punishing, so carry at least 2 to 3 liters of water, wear a hat, and start early. Shade is patchy and there is little refill water along the way. After rain the clay sections turn slick, so trail shoes with real tread beat sandals. Rip currents and surf on the Atlantic side make swimming unwise away from sheltered bays, so check the water before you go in. Mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, and repellent helps against dengue risk. Manchineel trees with small green apples grow near some beaches: never eat the fruit or shelter under them in rain. Mongoose and lizards are harmless. The Martinique pit viper (fer-de-lance) … read more 👉
La Trace des Caps is a well-marked coastal walk with no serious objective hazards, and most problems come from heat and mud rather than danger. Midday sun on the exposed headlands is punishing, so carry at least 2 to 3 liters of water, wear a hat, and start early. Shade is patchy and there is little refill water along the way. After rain the clay sections turn slick, so trail shoes with real tread beat sandals. Rip currents and surf on the Atlantic side make swimming unwise away from sheltered bays, so check the water before you go in. Mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, and repellent helps against dengue risk. Manchineel trees with small green apples grow near some beaches: never eat the fruit or shelter under them in rain. Mongoose and lizards are harmless. The Martinique pit viper (fer-de-lance) lives in the island’s wetter interior, but stay on the path and watch where you place hands and feet. Tell someone your plan, because phone signal can drop in places.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 4 to 6 hours for a typical day section of La Trace des Caps, covering about 10 to 14 kilometers of coastline between Sainte-Anne and Le Vauclin. Linking several stages into a full traverse takes 2 to 3 days. Add time for swimming stops at Grande Anse des Salines and Anse Trabaud.
La Trace des Caps is moderate, with gentle climbs and no technical sections. The effort comes from heat, humidity of 75 to 85 percent and muddy, root-covered stretches after rain. Reasonably fit first-timers manage a day section comfortably if they carry 2 to 3 liters of water and start before 9 am.
La Trace des Caps needs no permit and no guide, and the paths are free to walk. Signposts and trail markings make independent hiking easy, though a local guide costs roughly €30 to 60 per person if you want history and wildlife context. Bring cash in euros for small village shops, since few exist along the route.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Martinican hikes near La Trace des Caps

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

La Trace des Caps works best as an overnight in Sainte-Anne rather than a rushed single day, because the light on the Atlantic side gets good late and the heat fades after four. I would split it over two days, swim at Grande Anse des Salines early, and save Cap Macré for the cooler afternoon. Pack more water than you think.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Martinique. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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