This isn’t a rainforest or a mountain trail. It’s a low, coastal forest with a dry, tropical feel. Think tall filaos, shifting volcanic sand underfoot, and the occasional mongoose darting across your path. The Forêt de l’Étang-Salé stretches from the main road toward the beach, with a mix of walking paths, shaded picnic areas, and access to both the lagoon and the black sand beach.

It’s popular with locals who come here to jog, cycle, or barbecue in the shade. Tourists often miss it, heading straight for the water instead. But if you want a calm walk under the trees, or a break from driving the west coast, this is the kind of place where you can stretch your legs, hear the sea in the background, and breathe in pine and salt air.

👉 The best stretch is the shaded trail that links the forest directly to the Étang-Salé beach, perfect just before sunset, and usually empty.