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Reunion Island

For updated information regarding the state of the trails, call the Forestry Commission « Allo Sentiers » service : 0262-37-38-39.

12 golden rules to go hiking in the best possible conditions
An updated list of the trails closed to the public

 

No particular difficulty is encountered when strolling at “Le Bassin des Hirondelles.” 180 meters ascent, it’s a quiet path upon which wide wooden stairs follow one after the other. It is acknowledged that it rains quite often at the Plaine des Palmistes. As a result, the paths become rather muddy.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter as it is worth a tour. And it’s only mud!

The trail quietly leads down through the forest of ferns, arum lilies, hydrangeas and fuchsias. One is plunged into an completely green setting. At first, one can walk without any trouble on the wide wooden boards among the trees.

But as one goes along, one is faced with some difficulties; a missing stair, impeding thick roots and the mud. Sometimes, one needs to climb over the rocks, sometimes walk on a ruined boardwalk. Don’t panic, you have to put things into perspective. Here we are far from the toughest hiking in Réunion Island! Hence, you’re sure to have lots of fun. It’s our lucky day, the weather is lo vely. The clouds clear up and the Plaine des Palmistes and its small lava cones appear which, today are overgrown with vegetation. There are tree ferns all around us.

We need to turn right to head towards Bassin des Hirondelles. Straight on, a path leads us to Cassé de Takamaka, located an hour from here. The l ast metres just before reaching the “Bassin” are more difficult. There is a lot of mud and the climb down is steep.

We’ll soon reach our destination; we can even hear the sound of the water. Here it is: “Le Bassin des Hirondelles,” overlooking the arch under which the salanganes, a type of swallow, twirl around. Floow the same path back up.

Text and photos : Laurène Mazier
February 2006

Carte I.G.N 1: 25 000 4402 RT Saint-Denis. Difficulty : moderate. Hiking time :2h30 aller-retour. Access: from the Plaine des Palmistes, go towards Petite Plaine then towards the forest of Bébour. And after the Bras Cabot bridge, walk back up 300 metres to the car park on the right hand side of the road.