Outbound
The hike to La Nouvelle starts at the Col des Bœufs car park, one of the main gateways to the Mafate cirque. From the car park, follow the forest track up to the Col des Bœufs, where the descent into Mafate begins. The trail is wide and well maintained, but it has many steps and rocky sections. Some steps can be slippery, especially in the morning while the slope is still in the shade.
The descent gradually eases as you approach the Plaine des Tamarins, which you cross on a flatter path, laid in places with boardwalks and log steps. The route runs through a beautiful forest of highland tamarind trees (tamarins des Hauts), the vegetation often draped in moss and ferns.
After the Plaine des Tamarins, carry on towards La Nouvelle. The trail passes close to the start of the path to the Col de Fourche, then the Marla trail, before continuing towards Plateau Chêne. The descent then goes on over ground that alternates sandy stretches, rocky sections and wooden steps, down to the first houses.
After several kilometres of descent, you finally reach La Nouvelle, one of the best-known îlets of the Mafate cirque. Walking into the îlet, you discover its Creole houses, its church, its shops and its tables d'hôtes. This is the classic and most direct route to La Nouvelle from the Col des Bœufs.
Return
The return from La Nouvelle to the Col des Bœufs follows the outbound route in reverse. From the îlet, take the trail back towards Plateau Chêne, then on to the Plaine des Tamarins. This part is more demanding than the morning's descent, with a gradual and then steeper climb up to the plain.
Once on the Plaine des Tamarins, cross the tamarind forest again towards the Col des Bœufs. The trail grows rougher, and the many steps you went down in the morning now have to be climbed. The last stretch to the pass takes more effort, especially after a day spent in Mafate.
For a gentler, less steep return, you can take the Chemin Charrette from La Nouvelle instead. This path runs through a beautiful cryptomeria forest and climbs more gradually towards the Col des Bœufs area. It also offers fine views of Îlet Cimendal and Piton des Calumets before joining the main route.
The hike ends at the Col des Bœufs, where you pick up the forest track back to the Col des Bœufs car park. This out-and-back is one of the most accessible ways to discover Mafate on foot from the Col des Bœufs and reach La Nouvelle.
RandoMafate lists 17 places to stay in La Nouvelle (gîtes and a table d'hôtes). Staying the night lets you carry on into the cirque the next day: Marla, Roche Plate and the Trois Roches waterfall are each a day's walk away.
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