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Martinique🇲🇶 | national parksSavane des PétrificationsSilicified wood, cactus scrub, salt lagoon, wild beach | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Savane des Pétrifications
👍 Recommendednational park ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The petrified wood here is mostly scattered fragments of silicified tree trunk, not a forest turned to stone, and the “savane” is dry scrub rather than an African-style plain. Savane des Pétrifications sits at the far southern tip of Martinique, a short drive past Sainte-Anne, in a protected coastal stretch of cactus, thorny acacia and salt-baked ground. Go early. By late morning there is almost no shade, and travelers who start at noon with one small bottle regret it, so carry at least a liter and a half each and wear closed shoes. The wood is protected, so leave every piece where it lies. Wind off the Atlantic side keeps it bearable, though mosquitoes and sandflies show up near the mangrove at dusk. Crowds are thin, wildlife is mostly lizards and birds, and the walking is easy. Look for the reddish, grain-streaked trunk pieces half buried beside the path.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 national park in MartiniqueWhy Savane des Pétrifications should be on your travel list

Savane des Pétrifications gives backpackers something the green, rainforested north of the island cannot: a flat, arid landscape you can walk on your own, with no guide, ticket booth or schedule. The site sits on a coastal path system, so a few hours of walking links the fossil wood to wild beaches without a car shuttle if you are staying nearby. That freedom is the main draw. You set the pace, stop at silicified trunks lying in the red-brown scrub, and keep going to the water. The terrain is gentle, which suits first-time hikers, yet the heat and open sun test experienced ones too. Guided tours exist, but the place is simple enough to read yourself, and tours rarely add much beyond a name for each cactus. The contrast is also what lingers. Within one morning you pass cactus and thorn scrub, … read more 👉
Savane des Pétrifications gives backpackers something the green, rainforested north of the island cannot: a flat, arid landscape you can walk on your own, with no guide, ticket booth or schedule. The site sits on a coastal path system, so a few hours of walking links the fossil wood to wild beaches without a car shuttle if you are staying nearby. That freedom is the main draw. You set the pace, stop at silicified trunks lying in the red-brown scrub, and keep going to the water. The terrain is gentle, which suits first-time hikers, yet the heat and open sun test experienced ones too. Guided tours exist, but the place is simple enough to read yourself, and tours rarely add much beyond a name for each cactus. The contrast is also what lingers. Within one morning you pass cactus and thorn scrub, then salt pond and mangrove, then surf-battered coves on the Atlantic side. Few spots in Martinique pack that much change into so few kilometers.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Petrified wood fragments: The reason to come. Trunks and chunks of wood turned to silica, with visible growth rings in shades of gray, rust and cream, lie along the path. Look, photograph, never pocket.
  2. Dry cactus scrub: Tall columnar cacti, prickly pear and low acacia cover the ground, an odd sight on an island famous for rainforest. Morning light makes the red soil glow.
  3. Étang des Salines: A salt lagoon fringed with mangrove, good for herons, egrets and other waders at the water’s edge. The boardwalk-style paths around it are easy and flat.
  4. Anse Trabaud: A wide, wild beach on the Atlantic side with strong surf, little development and a long view of open water. Swimming is risky when the waves are up, so wade only.
  5. Grande Anse des Salines: The big, calm, palm-lined beach nearby, with fine pale
… read more 👉
  1. Petrified wood fragments: The reason to come. Trunks and chunks of wood turned to silica, with visible growth rings in shades of gray, rust and cream, lie along the path. Look, photograph, never pocket.
  2. Dry cactus scrub: Tall columnar cacti, prickly pear and low acacia cover the ground, an odd sight on an island famous for rainforest. Morning light makes the red soil glow.
  3. Étang des Salines: A salt lagoon fringed with mangrove, good for herons, egrets and other waders at the water’s edge. The boardwalk-style paths around it are easy and flat.
  4. Anse Trabaud: A wide, wild beach on the Atlantic side with strong surf, little development and a long view of open water. Swimming is risky when the waves are up, so wade only.
  5. Grande Anse des Salines: The big, calm, palm-lined beach nearby, with fine pale sand and shallow water. It is the place to cool off after the scrub walk, though it fills on weekends.
  6. Coastal footpath views: Open stretches along the shore give wide views of the sea and small offshore islets, with constant trade wind that keeps the heat tolerable.
Savane des Pétrifications and Anse Trabaud pair well in one morning, with the beach as the cool-down after the fossil-wood walk.
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Things to do near Savane des Pétrifications

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🌤️ When to go?Best time to explore Savane des Pétrifications

The best window for Savane des Pétrifications is February to April, when rain is lightest and the open, rocky terrain stays dry underfoot.
  • Dry Season (Feb to Apr): Days run 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F) with steady trade winds and little rain. The track across the petrified-wood plateau is firm and the sea views toward Rocher du Diamant are clear. This is the busiest stretch, though the site is remote enough that you will see few groups.
  • Rainy Season (Jul to Nov): Temperatures run 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), with humid air and heavy downpours. Paths turn slick and muddy. Hurricane risk peaks from August to October, and lodging near Les Salines can be cheaper then.
  • Transition Months (May, Jun, Dec, Jan): Showers are short and patchy, and the heat is easier to manage. Christmas and New Year push up prices
… read more 👉
The best window for Savane des Pétrifications is February to April, when rain is lightest and the open, rocky terrain stays dry underfoot.
  • Dry Season (Feb to Apr): Days run 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F) with steady trade winds and little rain. The track across the petrified-wood plateau is firm and the sea views toward Rocher du Diamant are clear. This is the busiest stretch, though the site is remote enough that you will see few groups.
  • Rainy Season (Jul to Nov): Temperatures run 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), with humid air and heavy downpours. Paths turn slick and muddy. Hurricane risk peaks from August to October, and lodging near Les Salines can be cheaper then.
  • Transition Months (May, Jun, Dec, Jan): Showers are short and patchy, and the heat is easier to manage. Christmas and New Year push up prices on Sainte-Anne and Les Salines rooms.
  • Daylight: Days last roughly 11 to 13 hours all year, so start walking by 8 a.m. to beat the midday sun on the exposed savanna.
Book Christmas-week lodging early, and go on a weekday for the quietest trails.


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: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
martinique-national-park-savane-des-petrifications
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Savane des Pétrifications has no lodging inside it, so base yourself in Sainte-Anne, the closest village, about 10 to 15 minutes from the trailhead by car.
Sainte-Anne is the practical choice. It has a handful of guesthouses and small gîtes, usually €45 to 90 a night for a double, plus bakeries, a few grocery shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Many places are within walking distance of the village beach, and from here you can set off on foot toward Les Salines.
Les Salines, on the coast just beyond the savanna, suits those who want to be beside one of the island’s best-known beaches. Camping … read more 👉
Savane des Pétrifications has no lodging inside it, so base yourself in Sainte-Anne, the closest village, about 10 to 15 minutes from the trailhead by car.
Sainte-Anne is the practical choice. It has a handful of guesthouses and small gîtes, usually €45 to 90 a night for a double, plus bakeries, a few grocery shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Many places are within walking distance of the village beach, and from here you can set off on foot toward Les Salines.
Les Salines, on the coast just beyond the savanna, suits those who want to be beside one of the island’s best-known beaches. Camping there is allowed only during supervised school-holiday periods, and there are small apartments and bungalows at €60 to 110. Camping spots fill during school holidays, so reserve ahead.
Pointe d’Enfer and Pointe Marin (near Sainte-Anne) offer self-catering studios if you want a kitchen and a weekly rate.
Le Marin, about 20 minutes away by road, is the yachting hub with more hotel and apartment choices and a larger supermarket, which helps if you are stocking up.
Fort-de-France is the only option with real nightlife and hostel-style budget rooms, but it is around an hour away, so it works only if you have a rental car.
Best hostels in Martinique


Best quality hotels in Martinique

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A day at Savane des Pétrifications runs about €45 for a backpacker who camps or uses a simple guesthouse, and the site itself costs very little. The petrified-wood savanna sits on the dry southern tip of Martinique, near Sainte-Anne and the Salines beach, so most spending goes to getting there and eating.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance fee€0The savanna is an open coastal trail with no ticket booth. Parking at the trailhead near Anse Trabaud or Salines is usually free.
Accommodation (high season)€20 to 35Basic rooms and small guesthouses in Sainte-Anne or Les Anses-d’Arlet. Dorm beds are rare. Prices climb from December to April.
Accommodation (low season)€15 to 28Rooms drop in price from May to November, and negotiating for several nights often works.
Camping€8 to 15A few campsites
… read more 👉
A day at Savane des Pétrifications runs about €45 for a backpacker who camps or uses a simple guesthouse, and the site itself costs very little. The petrified-wood savanna sits on the dry southern tip of Martinique, near Sainte-Anne and the Salines beach, so most spending goes to getting there and eating.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance fee€0The savanna is an open coastal trail with no ticket booth. Parking at the trailhead near Anse Trabaud or Salines is usually free.
Accommodation (high season)€20 to 35Basic rooms and small guesthouses in Sainte-Anne or Les Anses-d’Arlet. Dorm beds are rare. Prices climb from December to April.
Accommodation (low season)€15 to 28Rooms drop in price from May to November, and negotiating for several nights often works.
Camping€8 to 15A few campsites operate near Sainte-Anne. Wild camping on the savanna is not permitted.
Local transport€2 to 12Shared minibuses (taxi collectifs) from Fort-de-France to Sainte-Anne cost a few euros each way. The last stretch to the trailhead is walked or covered by a short taxi ride of €8 to 15. A rental car costs €35 to 55 a day.
Food and supplies€10 to 18Bakery sandwiches and fruit cost €3 to 6. A plate of Creole food at a roadside spot is €10 to 15. Pay in euros.
Water and sun gear€2 to 5There is almost no shade or water on the trail, so buy 2 liters or more in Sainte-Anne before setting out.
Total Daily Budget€45Based on a guesthouse, shared transport and simple meals.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Savane des Pétrifications: routes, terrain, and sights

Savane des Pétrifications is walked on a network of sandy, rocky footpaths that cross open scrub and drop to the shore, with almost no steep climbs. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, with loose gravel, dry earth and short sandy stretches, so ordinary trail shoes work fine. The main risk is sun, not slope.
  • Sentier de la Savane des Pétrifications: The classic walk, a loop or out-and-back of roughly 3 to 5 km, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Difficulty is easy. It passes the silicified wood, cactus thickets and views toward the coast, on packed earth with some stony patches.
  • Coastal
… read more 👉
Savane des Pétrifications is walked on a network of sandy, rocky footpaths that cross open scrub and drop to the shore, with almost no steep climbs. The terrain is flat to gently rolling, with loose gravel, dry earth and short sandy stretches, so ordinary trail shoes work fine. The main risk is sun, not slope.
  • Sentier de la Savane des Pétrifications: The classic walk, a loop or out-and-back of roughly 3 to 5 km, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Difficulty is easy. It passes the silicified wood, cactus thickets and views toward the coast, on packed earth with some stony patches.
  • Coastal link toward Anse Trabaud: A longer extension of about 1 to 2 hours extra, easy to moderate because of sand and heat. It follows the shoreline, with surf on one side and dry scrub on the other.
  • Étang des Salines edge walk: A short, flat stroll of about 30 to 45 minutes along the lagoon and mangrove, easy, with birdlife as the main interest.
  • Wildlife: Expect lizards, hummingbirds, wading birds and the occasional iguana-like silhouette in the brush. Mammals are rare.
Start at first light, since the sun hits hard by mid-morning and shade is scarce. Entry to the site is free. Public buses reach the Sainte-Anne area but the last stretch is best done on foot or by rental car or taxi, and you should confirm return options in advance. Crowds are light on the footpaths, heavier on the nearby beaches on weekends and holidays. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
⚠️ 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.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Savane des Pétrifications is a straightforward, well-trodden hike, and the main hazards are sun and heat rather than anything dramatic.
The terrain is dry, scrubby savanna with sparse shade, so walk early in the morning, wear a hat, and carry at least 2 liters of water per person. Paths are mostly stony and uneven, and the red soil gets slick after rain, so shoes with grip beat sandals. The route toward the coast is signposted, but a few side tracks branch off, so stay on marked trails.
The fossilized wood pieces are fragile and protected. Look, photograph, and leave them where they lie.
Martinique has no dangerous large animals. The real nuisances are mosquitoes and the manchineel tree on some coastal stretches, whose apples and sap cause burns, so avoid touching or sheltering beneath it. Bring … read more 👉
Savane des Pétrifications is a straightforward, well-trodden hike, and the main hazards are sun and heat rather than anything dramatic.
The terrain is dry, scrubby savanna with sparse shade, so walk early in the morning, wear a hat, and carry at least 2 liters of water per person. Paths are mostly stony and uneven, and the red soil gets slick after rain, so shoes with grip beat sandals. The route toward the coast is signposted, but a few side tracks branch off, so stay on marked trails.
The fossilized wood pieces are fragile and protected. Look, photograph, and leave them where they lie.
Martinique has no dangerous large animals. The real nuisances are mosquitoes and the manchineel tree on some coastal stretches, whose apples and sap cause burns, so avoid touching or sheltering beneath it. Bring repellent and sunscreen.
Phone signal can be patchy, so download a map first. Petty theft from parked cars at trailheads happens, so leave nothing visible inside.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Half a day is enough for Savane des Pétrifications itself. The loop across the savanna takes about 2 to 3 hours, and many people continue on the coastal trail to Les Salines beach, which adds another 1 to 2 hours. If you pair it with a beach afternoon and a night in Sainte-Anne, two days is relaxed.
Reaching Savane des Pétrifications without a car is possible but slow. Buses run from Fort-de-France toward Sainte-Anne, about 1 to 1.5 hours, and from the village you can walk or take a taxi of around €10 to 20 to the trailhead. Many backpackers instead walk the coastal path from Sainte-Anne via Les Salines, roughly 8 to 10 km one way.
Savane des Pétrifications has no entrance fee and needs no permit. The trails are open countryside and you can walk in at any time of day, though going early avoids the heat. Parking near the trailhead is free, and the only costs are what you spend on food, water, and transport.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Martinican national parks near Savane des Pétrifications

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Savane des Pétrifications looks like a quick photo stop, but the pieces of wood are easiest to spot when the low early sun rakes across the ground and brings out the growth rings. I would walk it first, then spend the hot hours at the beach, and bring repellent for the mangrove edge.

✍️ 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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