Les Bananes Vertes" ecolodges are the ideal starting point for numerous hikes in the heart of Guadeloupe's national park. Today, I'm taking you on a hike to the Chute du Galion, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful on the island.
In the heart of the Guadeloupe National Park
First, we drive to the starting point, in the heart of the national park, at the Bains Jaunes parking lot.
And off we go for the start of this beautiful hike through the rainforest. First, we take the paved Pas du Roy trail for just ten minutes, until we reach an intersection. Now we have to continue on the right-hand path towards the Galion waterfall.
Immersed in the Guadeloupe rainforest
Afterwards, we continue our hike to Chute du Galion on a trail, discovering along the way many plant species typical of this tropical environment:
- Yellow mangroves (recognizable by their stilt-like above-ground roots)
- Large and small-leaf chestnut trees
- Tree ferns
- Epiphytic plants
Epiphytic plants live on trees, but do not parasitize them. They only use them as a support to get closer to the sun's rays. And to collect the nutrients they need to thrive, they spread their roots right down to the ground.
By the way, the famous Tarzan doesn't move from creeper to creeper, but from root to root - a childhood myth shattered.
After the forest, the river!
We are now at the level of the Galion river, and to continue we have to cross it and take the stairs on the other side of the bank. Be careful not to slip on the wet rocks. We then climb a little on two occasions, but these technical passages are relatively straightforward - just use the ropes provided.
Once you've got over this hurdle, you can admire the fall. The hardest part is behind us. We've only got a few more metres to go before we reach the foot of this magnificent forty-metre waterfall.
Finally, we're at the foot of the mountain, and when the sky is clear, you can see the Saintes archipelago by turning your back to the Chute du Galion.
Book your private guide with Intense Green and to extend your stay in South Basse Terre, book a few nights at the ecolodges. Green Bananas