Walk: cane fields and tracks of Yemen

Behind Tamarin, the sugar estate of Yemen stretches up towards the mountains: a patchwork of cane fields, dry savannah and old stone walls crossed by dirt tracks. Walking (or cycling) here is the easiest way to see the 'inland' west coast: cane taller than you, mountains on every side, deer and monkeys at the edge of the reserve.

Much of it is private land, so go with a guide: DunienZîl, a family business based in Tamarin, runs guided walks and e-bike rides in Yemen (see the e-bike tour). Their family rides start near the Hindu shrine (kalimaye) at the Yemen/Magenta roundabout.

• Cane fields under the mountains
• Deer and monkeys at the edge of the reserve
• Fifteen minutes from the villa

Trail map

Approximate line on the estate tracks (Magenta Road): your guide chooses the route on the day.

Trail traced on OpenStreetMap paths: check the signs on the ground, and take the OSM or an offline map app (Organic Maps, maps.me) with you.

What to expect on this walk

📍 Where it starts

Near the Yemen/Magenta roundabout, inland from Tamarin (15 minutes from the villa).

🧭 The route

Wide dirt tracks between the cane fields, gently uphill towards the Yemen reserve, with views of the Trois Mamelles and the Rempart; back the same way (≈ 6–8 km in all).

🪨 Terrain

Dirt and gravel tracks.

👁️ Views

Mountains all around: the Trois Mamelles, the Rempart, the Tourelle.

🔁 Loop?

Out and back or a loop, depending on the guide.

🦟 Insects

Flies and some mosquitoes near the fields.

💧 Water

None on the way: bring water.

👥 Crowds

Very quiet.

📶 Phone signal

Good coverage.

🎒 Bring

Comfortable shoes · 1.5 litres of water each · Hat and sunscreen · Mosquito repellent · Snack

1. Start near Magenta
2. Towards the Yemen reserve

Getting there

Tips

• 💡 Private estate: don't wander in alone, and close any gates behind you.
• 💡 Harvest trucks use the tracks from June to December: keep to the side.