Outbound
The hike starts at the Maïdo, near the viewpoint and the start of the trail down to Mafate and Îlet des Orangers. After a short climb across the planèze (the high, open slopes), go through the wire gate and begin the long descent into the Mafate cirque. The trail first drops over rocky ground, with many steps and a few passages that can be tricky after rockfalls. The slope gradually steepens and the route carries on down a long series of switchbacks to the Ravine de la Brèche.
After crossing the ravine, the trail reaches La Brèche, a landmark of this hike with fine views over the Mafate cirque. The descent continues on concrete steps, then on a rockier, shaded path that runs alongside or across the Ravine de la Brèche in places. The route then joins the Ravine Grand-Mère and keeps descending through a narrow valley to the first houses of Îlet des Orangers, after nearly 1,000 metres of descent.
The trail then passes close to the small Orangers cemetery before reaching the îlet's plateaus. A spring near the Ravine Grand-Mère lets you refill your water. The route then crosses the Ravine du Maïdo and climbs to Plateau l'École, the main plateau of Îlet des Orangers, with the school, the dispensary, the chapel and several houses.
From Plateau l'École, head to Plateau l'Épicerie, on the GRR2 long-distance trail. After the shop, carry on towards Orangers Remparts, the îlet's third plateau. This part is more strenuous: the trail climbs steeply, drops into a small ravine, then climbs again up many steps to the first houses of Orangers Remparts. Higher than the other two plateaus, it has superb views over the Orangers valley, the canyon of the Ravine des Orangers and the peaks of Mafate. A stop at the small bar-gîte lets you take in the landscape before heading back to the Maïdo.
Return
From Orangers Remparts, take the trail back towards Plateau l'Épicerie. A first path crosses the ravine, climbs gently through the vegetation, then gradually drops down to the plateau. This stretch gives a last view over the wild landscapes of Îlet des Orangers, the Ravine des Orangers and the peaks of the Mafate cirque.
Once at Plateau l'Épicerie, rejoin the GRR2 and follow it back towards Plateau l'École. Then cross the different parts of Îlet des Orangers to the Ravine Grand-Mère. It is a good idea to refill your water at the spring near the ravine before tackling the main challenge of the return: the long climb back to the Maïdo.
From the Orangers, take the trail towards La Brèche, crossing or following the Ravine de la Brèche. The climb gradually steepens, and the many switchbacks take you back up to the heights of Mafate. After La Brèche, carry on up the concrete sections and steps before reaching the rockier parts of the trail.
The last part of the route is the well-known climb up the Maïdo rampart. Kilometres of ascent and a big elevation gain make this stretch particularly demanding. The trail keeps climbing towards the Maïdo gate, then crosses the planèze and finally reaches the Maïdo car park, where this strenuous out-and-back between the Maïdo and Îlet des Orangers ends.
RandoMafate lists 7 places to stay in Îlet des Orangers.
The distance, elevation and time shown stop in the heart of Îlet des Orangers: the extension to Plateau l'Épicerie and Orangers Remparts, described in the route, comes on top.
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