Où se trouve la Savane Roche Virginie ?

Elle se situe entre Saint-Georges et Régina, sur la rive droite de l'Approuague, au kilomètre 122 de la route reliant les deux communes, en Guyane française.

Qu'est-ce qu'un inselberg ?

Un inselberg est une formation granitique isolée qui surgit au-dessus des plaines forestières. Le terme vient de l'allemand : Insel (île) et Berg (montagne).

Combien de temps dure la randonnée ?

Le sommet est accessible après une randonnée de 1h30 à 2h, sur environ 3 à 4 km aller-retour, avec un dénivelé modéré mais parfois technique.

Le bivouac est-il autorisé sur la Savane Roche Virginie ?

Oui, mais uniquement dans une zone aménagée au sommet avec des portiques scolopendre. La coupe de végétaux, le feu et les bougies sont interdits sur l'ensemble de cette Réserve Naturelle Dirigée.

Nature & sentiers★ Free accessRégina

Savane Roche Virginie : une randonnée perchée au cœur de la jungle guyanaise

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Overview

The Savane Roche Virginie rises between Saint-Georges and Régina, on the right bank of the Approuague, in French Guiana. It is an inselberg — a small granite mountain emerging like an island from the middle of the tropical forest. The summit is reached after a hike of 1h30 to 2 hours. The term "inselberg" comes from German (Insel meaning island, Berg meaning mountain) and refers to these isolated granite formations that rise above forested plains.

Why Visit

Once at the summit, the reward is a panoramic 360° view over the Amazonian forest canopy. The site also hosts flora adapted to thin, rocky soil: xerophytic plants, epiphytes, mosses, orchids, bromeliads, and even carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants. Wildlife is abundant: red-billed toucans, Guianan squirrels, yellow-throated woodpeckers, and endemic species such as the small frog Atelopus flavescens. The trail is dotted with points of interest, including a stream home to aquatic species such as the tomblac.

History

The Savane Roche Virginie is a site over 2 million years old, shaped by geological processes. The granite rocks are the result of differential erosion: the softer parts have disappeared, leaving behind more resistant blocks that harbour a specific biodiversity.

Practical Information

Allow approximately 3 to 4 km round trip, with moderate but sometimes technical elevation gain. Equipment: hiking boots are compulsory (the rocks become slippery in wet weather), sufficient water, binoculars, and a camera. The dry season (July to November) is preferable. The Savane Roche Virginie is a Directed Nature Reserve managed by the National Forestry Office (ONF): cutting vegetation, lighting fires, and using candles are prohibited throughout the reserve. Camping is permitted only in a designated area at the summit, with scolopendre frames for hanging hammocks; bring a tarpaulin to protect against overnight moisture. Note: the ONF may close the trail temporarily for safety reasons, in particular after heavy rain or high winds. Check its status before setting out.

Getting There

To reach the site, head to kilometre 122 on the road between Régina and Saint-Georges. Just past this marker, a car park is on your left, while the trail entrance — marked by an information sign — is on your right. The route is marked and maintained by the ONF.

Wildlife

What you might see

Species most often reported by naturalists around this place. Nothing is guaranteed: wildlife comes and goes.

Bird
Toucan à bec rouge
Ramphastos tucanus
Photo credit
© Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, CC BY · taken in Kourou · iNaturalist
Bird
Tangara à galons rouges
Tachyphonus phoenicius
Photo credit
© Julien Renoult, CC BY · taken in Saint-Élie · iNaturalist
Bird
Piauhau hurleur
Lipaugus vociferans
Photo credit
© Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, CC BY · taken in Saint-Georges · iNaturalist
Amphibian
Leptodactyle De Myers
Leptodactylus myersi
Photo credit
© Guillaume Delaitre, CC BY · taken in French Guiana · iNaturalist

Observations: GBIF and iNaturalist. Sources and credits

Getting there

Location

Régina · Guyane

Google Maps Waze directions

Location de matériel · proposé par Grobek.expéditions

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the Savane Roche Virginie located?+

It is located between Saint-Georges and Régina, on the right bank of the Approuague, at kilometre 122 on the road between the two communes, in French Guiana.

What is an inselberg?+

An inselberg is an isolated granite formation that rises above forested plains. The term comes from German: Insel (island) and Berg (mountain).

How long does the hike take?+

The summit is reached after a hike of 1h30 to 2 hours, covering approximately 3 to 4 km round trip, with moderate but sometimes technical elevation gain.

Is camping permitted at the Savane Roche Virginie?+

Yes, but only in a designated area at the summit with scolopendre frames for hanging hammocks. Cutting vegetation, lighting fires, and using candles are prohibited throughout this Directed Nature Reserve.