Canyoning9 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Thrills and spillsin the heart of tropical waterfalls

Canyoning in Martinique with the Bureau de la Randonnée et du Canyoning

Thrill-seekersand nature lovers: thiscanyoning activity is for you! Whether you’re on vacation or want to discover Martinique in a different light, the guides at the Bureau de la Randonnée et du Canyoning offer safe outings. I’ve never done canyoning before, but today I can confirm that it’s one of the best experiences of my life! I’m taking you to one of the island’s most famous spots: the Absalon canyon. On the program: abseiling, jumping, tobogganing and zip-lining! I’ll continue the experience with the Rivière Mitan canyon…

Absalon Canyon

in the heart of lush Martinique

A team of expert guides

I’d been tempted by the idea of this adventure for some time, but I must admit I was a little frightened by the idea of being held weightless by a rope. So, for this big first, I contacted Sophie and Guy from the Bureau de la Randonnée et du Canyoning, guides who have been state-qualified for nearly 30 years and are renowned for their seriousness and professionalism. An appointment was made, and I set off to meet them directly on site.

Sophie Guy Et Lolita Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Martinique

Canyoning12 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Foret6 Riviere Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Equipment

Leaving Fort-de-France, I head for Morne Rouge along the Route de la Trace. Just after the Balata garden, I turn left towards Absalon until the end of the road. There I meet Sophie and Guy, who welcome me with a big smile: “Hello Manon, are you ready for adventure? “I’m soon joined by the day’s other hikers (the number of participants never exceeds 8). Sophie equips us with a wetsuit, helmet and canyoning harness. When everyone’s ready, we’re off for 3 hours!

She had warned me on the phone to bring sneakers, a swimsuit, a T-shirt and a change of clothes.

We enter the rainforest along the Dumauzé River for 15 minutes before reaching the first abseil. The river meanders through the forest, and the route we’re about to take has been adapted for both beginners and more experienced canyoneers. I admit I’m a little apprehensive, but I know I’m in good hands – Sophie is an experienced professional. She explained what we were about to experience with a great deal ofhumor and pedagogy. Attention to safety is rule number 1, allowing everyone to concentrate fully on the pleasure of the adventure and the beauty of the scenery.

Canyoning Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Foret2 Riviere Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

It’s time for an aquatic adventure!

The route is dotted with waterfalls, natural pools and rocky passages, rich in emotions, shouts of happiness, laughter and technical challenges. For a first-timer, I had the chance to discover the different aspects of canyoning. It’s fun and exhilarating at the same time… and with lots of water!

Rappel3 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Canyoning4 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Rappel Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Rappel4 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

On the program for the day:

Abseiling down the mossy canyon walls, including a 17 m abseil down the Ravine Agathe.
Slides down natural toboggans
Jumps in white water up to 10 m. (For the jumps, if you’re not quite up to it or if you’re afraid of heights, there’s a “second itinerary”: don’t worry!)
Discover the “Tagada” grotto hidden beneath a waterfall

Canyoning8 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Canyoning6 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Canyoning5 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Canyoning3 Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

I also really enjoyed the “beauty workshop” with a clay mask collected from the riverbed: an authentic, eco-friendly beauty treatment in the heart of nature, Sophie’s great idea!

I book my canyoning trip

The Absalon River

An ode to biodiversity

One of the special features of the Rivière Absalon canyon is its unspoilt environment. Between two descents, I observe an incredible variety of tropical plant species : trees 10 to 25 m tall with impressive buttresses, palmetto, tree ferns and balisiers. Clinging to the branches, lianas and epiphytic plants (ferns, philodendrons, orchids…) form veritable hanging gardens. In the distance, I hear the song of the mountain whistling bird, and we are surprised and amazed to discover a Matoutou Falaise. This endemic tree mygale, protected in Martinique, has magnificent blue reflections; we approach it gently to observe it, without touching it.

Foret4 Riviere Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

Swimming Canyoning Absalon Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Fortdefrance Martinique

At the end of the excursion, after a short swim and a sweet snack to regain our strength, we climb back up a steep slope to the trailhead and the Absalon parking lot. We clean and disinfect our gear and chat over a planter.

I loved this morning and now feel like an adventurer!

Canyon de la Rivière Mitan

in Morne-Vert

The Attila spring

And as I loved my first experience, I immediately wanted to do it again! Sophie suggested we meet at Morne Vert. We took the Caplet forest road to the Attila spring, our starting point.

Foretattila3 Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Foretattila5 Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Foretattila6 Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Foretattila2 Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Foretattila Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

In the heart of a dense tropical forest

Once equipped, we enter the forest, located on the western slopes of the Pitons du Carbet massif, and much more lush and dense than that of Absalon. We follow the river below. The canyon of volcanic rock is magnificent, and I have the feeling we’re alone in the world in this jungle! As we hike to our first abseil, we come across the Matoutou Falaise, Martinique’s endemic tarantula.

Mygale Foretattila Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Like me, everyone is excited and eager to start the adventure and get into the water. The course is a little more playful than Absalon’s, with different passages.

On the program for the day:

Abseiling down the walls (max 12 m)
Slides and sledging on natural toboggans
Jumping into the white water of the river
Running along walls like Spiderman
Passage through a “mailbox

Reminder2 Canyoning Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Reminder Canyoning Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Canyoning2 Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Canyoning6 Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Reminder4 Canyoning Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Canyoning5 Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Canyoning3 Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

Tyrolienne & Natural discoveries

Along the way, there are swimming breaks, a “beauty” workshop with a natural clay mask and a chance to discover Martinique’s exotic flora and fauna. And finally, a zip-line traverse to another mountainside. A short 30-minute hike brings us back to the forest exit. As the day draws to a close, it’s time to pack up our gear and enjoy a delicious homemade planteur.

Tyrolienne Rivieremitan Bureaudelarandonneeetducanyoning Mornevert Martinique

I really had two unforgettable experiences, and discovered that pushing yourself to the limit can be a real thrill! Thank you Sophie for your teaching, your vigilance and your kindness, which made me feel safe and confident. The atmosphere was great! I loved this trip to the heart of my little tropical paradise…

Information & free booking