Savane des Petrifications Hike near Les Salines, Martinique

Walk through fossilized wood and desert landscape to reach the turquoise waters of Les Salines

A 2.5-hour guided hike through the Savane des Petrifications at the southern tip of Martinique, led in French by a professional guide. The trail crosses an exceptional desert-like landscape where fossilized wood and trees mark the island's oldest geological formation, ending near the famous Les Salines beach with its coconut palms and turquoise sea. Minimum group size is four. The hike is easy-paced but sun exposure is the main challenge since the terrain offers no shade.

The experience

Fossilized wood and ancient trees scattered across bare ground make the Savane des Petrifications unlike anywhere else on Martinique. Your guide leads you through this desert-like site at the southern end of the St. Anne peninsula, explaining why the landscape looks the way it does and what the stone fragments tell you about the island's geological history. The terrain is accessible and the pace is easy, but the sun is relentless. There's no shade during the 2.5-hour walk, so sun protection and water matter more than fitness.

The hike ends near Grande Anse des Salines, Martinique's most famous beach, where you can rest and take in the fine sand, coconut trees and water before heading back. The guide is French-speaking, and the group stays small enough that you're not moving as a crowd through the site.

What’s included

• Professional guide in French.
• access to the Savane des Petrifications site and the surrounding landscape near Les Salines.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideFrench

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by BEYOND THE BEACH

Is this one for you?The hike is easy-paced and open to all fitness levels, but the 2.5 hours of walking under direct sun with no shade means you need to be comfortable with sustained heat exposure and bring plenty of water and sun protection.

Traveler reviews

4.55★★★★★★★★★★

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Top questions

What exactly is the Savane des Petrifications and why does it look so different from the rest of Martinique?

The Savane des Petrifications is the oldest part of Martinique, a desert-like expanse where fossilized pieces of wood and even entire trees are visible in the ground. The strange, barren landscape is what gives the site its name. It's a geological record you can walk through.

How much sun exposure is there during the hike?

The terrain has no shade, so the sun is the main difficulty of the walk. Even though the hike is easy-paced and accessible, sun protection and bringing enough water are essential.

Is there time to visit Les Salines beach during this hike?

Yes. The hike ends near Grande Anse des Salines, Martinique's most famous beach, where you can take a break and enjoy the sand and water before returning.

What language is the guide spoken in?

The guide leads the hike in French only.

What's the minimum group size for this hike?

A minimum of four people is required. If the group doesn't reach that number after confirmation, the tour may be cancelled and you'll be offered an alternative or a full refund.