Col des Boeufs - Marla

Hiking Col des Boeufs - Marla

This hike begins in the Salazie cirque, at the Col des Boeufs at 1956m altitude and will lead us to the picturesque islet of Marla in the heart of Mafate circus.

The hike is rather easy is lasts about 2h40 if you go slowly with children, with a distance to cover of about 7.2 kilometers.

Start by taking the direction of Salazie circus, then from ox neck, to the terminus where you can park your car.

From the parking lot Col des Boeufs, we start with a short climb of about 10 minutes, before reaching the first viewpoint on the magnificent Mafate circus and we begin a descent of about 1 hour through the endemic vegetation of the Mafate cirque, to the tamarind plain.

You will be able to rest there and have a small snack or picnic while admiring the beauty of its numerous tamarinds of the tops, before continuing your walk.

In this same tamarind plain, you will come to a fork with the path on the right towards the village of La Nouvelle and on the left the one leading to the village of Marla. 

At the intersection of the trails, take on your left. You will cross the Tamarins plain for about two kilometers on a plateau leading to the viewpoint on Marla. 

After the point of view you will begin a descent of about a kilometer which will lead you to the edge of the river. Take the opportunity to refresh yourself a little by the river of pebbles. 

You cross the river and then start your ascent towards Marla. 

After about 20 minutes, you will arrive at an intersection with the paths that allow you to reach the village of La Nouvelle on the right, you are almost more than 20 minutes there before seeing some isolated houses on the path.

After a few more efforts you will see the famous little church of Marla on your left.

A final climb awaits you to finally arrive at the'islet of Marla where you can rest, eat and sleep, at the different gites.

Reservation is required, as the number of places is very limited. 

Our hike stops here, but be aware that you can from the village of Marla continue towards the circus of Cilaos through the Taïbit pass or continue straight ahead towards the Trois Roches river and the Roche Plate islet.

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