Why hike in Réunion?

Réunion is a concentrate of unique landscapes: in under an hour you go from the beach to 2,500 m of altitude, from dry zones to humid tropical forest, from sugar-cane fields to thousand-year-old endemic vegetation. You cross this diversity on foot — it’s actually the best way to discover the island in depth.

The three cirques of Mafate, Salazie and Cilaos are UNESCO World Heritage sites. They are natural amphitheatres carved by erosion, ringed by 1,500 m ramparts and linked by century-old mule tracks. Mafate, reachable only on foot or by helicopter, is probably the most iconic.

On the volcano side, the Piton de la Fournaise offers lunar walks through landscapes of frozen lava and the chance to approach the crater via the Pas de Bellecombe. And all around: primary forests (Bébour, Bélouve, Mare Longue), waterfalls such as the Trou de Fer (a 300 m drop), and the roof of the Indian Ocean — the Piton des Neiges at 3,070 m.

The must-do hikes

Here’s a selection of the most memorable hikes to do at least once in your life:

Piton de la Fournaise — The flagship and most accessible hike on the island. A lunar walk through a volcanic landscape on the Plaine des Sables before approaching the crater from the Pas de Bellecombe. Surreal, and doable by most healthy hikers.

The Cirque de Mafate — The only road-free cirque in France. To discover over 1 to 5 days, going from hamlet to hamlet, sleeping with locals or in lodges. A timeless atmosphere guaranteed.

The Trou de Fer — A dizzying waterfall of over 300 m, reachable from the Bélouve forest via a boardwalk trail. Allow about 4h round trip, doable with the family.

Grand Bassin — “The Mafate of the South”: an 850 m descent into an isolated village by the river. Sublime, but the climb back up is gruelling.

The Grand Bénare (2,898 m) — The island’s third-highest summit, reachable from the Maïdo. Plunging views over Mafate on both sides. Allow about 7h round trip.

The Piton des Neiges (summit at 3,070 m) — The island’s legendary hike, done over 2 days with a night at the Caverne Dufour lodge. An unforgettable sunrise at the summit, a panoramic view over the three cirques. Very demanding (1,700 m of ascent), for a minority of seasoned hikers only.

Choosing your hike by level

Réunion is for everyone, as long as you pick the right route. Here’s how to place yourself:

🟢 Family with children — Trou de Fer (boardwalk), Bassin Bleu in Saint-Gilles, the Ravine Blanche botanical trail, the Grand Étang loop. Allow about 3h, moderate elevation, wide trails. Ideal to get started.

🔵 Occasional walker — The descent to Grand Bassin (often 5 to 6h round trip), the Maïdo and its viewpoint over Mafate, the Volcano from the Pas de Bellecombe. 4 to 6h of walking, some elevation and a few technical sections on routes like the Fournaise.

🟠 Experienced hiker — The Piton des Neiges over 2 days, crossing the hamlets of Mafate (Marla – Roche-Plate – Aurère), a section of the GR R2. Several hours up to 8h a day, good fitness required.

🔴 Expert trekker — The Diagonale des Fous (full GR R2 in about 12 days, 165 km, +9,000 m), a self-sufficient tour of the cirques, or climbing the Piton des Neiges and back in a single day (very demanding).

Why go with a guide?

You can absolutely hike on your own in Réunion on the waymarked trails. But going with a state-certified mountain leader changes things on several fronts:

Safety — The guide knows the local conditions, the technical sections, how the weather is changing and the escape routes. It’s reassuring, especially on long hikes or exposed trails.

Discovering the area — A local guide tells the story of the places, the geology, the endemic wildlife, the flora, the Creole traditions. You no longer just walk through a landscape: you read it. It’s a real cultural bonus.

Off-the-beaten-track trails — Beyond the classics, a guide takes you to forgotten trails, hidden corners, preserved primary forests. Landscapes you’d probably never have found on your own.

Tailored to your level — A bespoke outing based on your fitness, your mood that day, the weather, the children. A pro guide adapts everything in real time.

Where to sleep in your van before the hike

Many hikes set off early in the morning (often before 7 am, sometimes 5 am) from high-altitude areas that take 1h to 1h30 of driving. Sleeping nearby the night before changes everything: no stress, no driving in the fog, and often a memorable sunrise when you wake up.

Before the Piton des Neiges — A night at the Caverne Dufour lodge (on the trail, essential). But you can also sleep in your van the night before in Cilaos or the Plaine des Cafres, the starting point.

Before the Volcano / Pas de Bellecombe — Bourg-Murat or the Plaine des Cafres lower down, or the Pas de Bellecombe car park itself (Piton de la Fournaise nature reserve) to enjoy the starry sky and sunrise over the crater.

Before the Maïdo — The Maïdo car park itself allows van bivouac. Sunset, starry sky and sunrise over Mafate at 2,200 m of altitude — a great classic.

Before Mafate — Sleep the night before at the entry point you’ve chosen: Col des Bœufs (entry via Salazie), the Sans-Souci car park (entry via Saint-Paul), Le Maïdo, or Cilaos (Col du Taïbit).

Everything you need to know before you go

A recap of the key points for successful hikes in Réunion: