Choose your entrance
Pétrin is the starting point for the Machabée Forest Loop, Mare Longue Loop and Machabée crossing. The lower-gorge entrance serves Mare aux Joncs and Plateau Remousse, and is the finishing point for the Machabée and Parakeet crossings.
Alexandra, Plaine Champagne, Gorette and Plaine Paul are separate upland starting points. Choose your trail first, then save the correct entrance for the drive. Compare the hiking routes.
How long should you allow?
Add time for the drive, finding the correct start, mud, pauses and the return transfer if you choose a crossing. A short distance on steep or wet ground can take longer than a much longer walk on a broad forest track. Plan around your slowest walker and leave enough daylight for the return.
Do you need a guide?
Choose a guide according to your experience, navigation confidence and the route. Confirm the itinerary and meeting point together. For unfamiliar connectors or technical terrain, local route knowledge can help you make a better plan.
Opening times and costs
Park access and information-centre hours are listed above. Check the latest trail notice for temporary closures before travelling. Guided tours and nearby attractions have their own charges and opening arrangements.
A visit with less walking
The Black River Gorges and Alexandra Falls viewpoints make separate scenic stops on an upland drive. If you need step-free access or are travelling with a pushchair, ask about the approach and ground conditions before setting out.
What to take
Bring an offline map, footwear with grip, drinking water, rain protection and a charged phone. Tell someone your route and intended return. Mobile reception can be unreliable, so save the information you need beforehand.
Check access before you set out
Read the latest dated update for your chosen route and entrance. See park and trail access.
Choose a return arrangement before the drive
With one vehicle, a loop or an out-and-back keeps the day straightforward. If you choose Machabée or Parakeet as a crossing, agree on the finishing entrance and pickup before you start. Give your driver the named trail and both ends of the walk, not just “Black River Gorges”.
Keep the pickup arrangement available offline. Agree on what happens if you return later than expected or decide to turn back. A plan that depends on sending a message from inside the forest needs a backup.
Plan for different abilities in one group
Choose the outing around the person who needs the most time or the least demanding terrain. Distance alone will not tell you whether a route is suitable. Think about footing, steep sections, water crossings and the effort of coming back.
For a mixed group, a shared viewpoint visit can be simpler than splitting up on unfamiliar trails. If you do separate, agree on a meeting place and time before leaving the vehicle. Do not make a waterfall descent an unexpected extension of a short sightseeing stop.
Leave room for a change of plan
Look at the forecast for the uplands as well as the access notice. The wetter plateau and lower valleys can feel different on the same day. Keep a viewpoint or shorter return outing in mind if the longer walk no longer suits the group.
The daily conditions panel shows Pétrin’s modelled weather and the current trail count. Read the hourly detail to understand how rain, cloud and wind may change through the day.