Réunion Island is reckoned to be a paradise for hikers. But does it apply to all levels of proficiency ? To discover hiking trails accessible to average and experienced hikers, click here. If you are an amateur hiker, don’t worry. Runweb has selected several short and easy hikes for you. Everyone can enjoy the beauty of Réunion Island at their own pace.

North

> Cascade du Chaudron
Just a few minutes away from Saint-Denis, get a breath of fresh air along walking along an abrupt “rempart”. Follow the pipe line until you arrive at the foot of the waterfall.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4402 RT Saint-Denis. Difficulty: easy, 2 hours return. Access: From Saint-Denis, head towards la Bretagne. 500 metres after having gone through the village, turn right onto the Chemin de Bois Rouge and continue on for 600 metres. Turn left onto the Chemin des Fougères. The trail lies on the right-hand side, behind a phone box.

> Chemin des Anglais
Created in 1730, this trail linked La Possession to Saint-Denis. In 1812, the English who had landed at la Grande Chaloupe, took this path to fight against the French and take over the island.

Carte I.G .N : 1 :25 000 4401 RT Saint-Paul. Difficulty: easy, 2h15 return. Access: From Saint-Denis, head towards la Montagne. After the second petrol station, turn right towards Ruisseau Blanc and Saint-Bernard. At “Chez Henri” ‘s shop, turn right onto the tarmac lane. At the intersection, turn right onto the track. Continue on for 1 km and park your car.

> Cascade Maniquet
Just a few minutes away from Saint-Denis and Le Brûlé, the cascade Maniquet promises peaceful moments. From May onwards, one can also enjoy picking guavas.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4402 RT Saint-Denis. Difficulty: easy, 40 min return. Access: From Saint-Denis head towards Le Brûlé taking the Bellepierre amp. Once having gone through the village, continue on for 3.5 km on the forest path of La Roche Ecrite. Turn right towards Maniquet and continue on up the end of the track.

West

> Le Cap Noir et la Roche Verre Bouteille
This hike offers a panoramic viewpoint of Mafate caldera. The Cap Noir overhangs the Rivière des Galets which has its source at the Piton des Neiges.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4401 RT Saint-Paul. Difficulty : easy, 30 min return. Access : From Le Port and the Rivière des Galets, go up to Dos d’Ane. Once having gone through the village, turn right onto the forest path of Cap Noir and continue on for 1.5 km until you reach the carpark.

East

> Le kiosque et le sentier de l'Eden
From the kiosque de l’Eden which hangs over Bras-Panon, you will get a panoramic view of the Eastern part of the island. The trail goes through a primary forest and another forest iwhich is today nvaded by vegetal pests such as the strawberry guavas and giant brambles.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25000 4403 RT Saint-Benoît, Saint-André. Difficulty: easy, 30 min return for the kiosque and 2h30 min for the botanical path. Access: head towards Salazie. After 3 km, turn left towards the Rivière du Mât. Once you have reached the town o fthe Rivière de Mât, follow the signs “Cascade du Chien” and “Kiosque de l’Eden”. Climb for 11kms until you reach the end of the track.

> Barrage sur le Bras Patience
Along with two other dams, this small dam supplies the EDF power station with water. Many waterfalls,which you will discover on the walk, are scattered in the valley which is very humid.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4403 RT Saint-Benoît. Difficulty: easy, 1h15 min return. Access: From Saint-Denis, leave the four-lane road at the exit « Le Bourbier Takamaka ». Once you have reached the old route nationale, turn left towards Bras-Panon. After 300 metres, go up towards Bourbier les Hauts and Takamaka. The road ends 15 km further on near the EDF plant.

> Bethléem
Bethléem lies on the banks of the Rivière des Marsouins. The track is bordered with impressive clumps of bamboo. An ideal spot to have a picnic. Don’t forget your swimsuits!

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4403 RT Saint-Benoît. Difficulty: easy, 30 min return. Access: Go to the towncentre of Saint-Benoît via the four-lane road. Turn right and drive up towards Bethléem. The carpark lies at the end of the road.

> Circuit des Ravenales
Ravenala madagascariensis is commonly known as Travellers Palm, is called that way because its stems hold rainwater that can be used as an emergency drinking supply. This nice tour through the forest makes you discover the agricultural area of Saint-Benoît.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4403 RT Saint-Benoît. Difficulty: easy, 1h30 loop. Access: From Saint-Benoît, drive up towards the Plaine des Palmistes up to the Chemin de la Ceinture. At the roundabout, turn right and continue on for 1 km until you reach the carpark.

> Ilet Fleurs Jaunes
Go and discover a hamlet right in the middle of Salazie caldera. Due to its rainy climate, the region is green and scattered with lovely waterfalls.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4402 RT Saint-Denis. Difficulty: easy, 1h15 return. Access: Once in Salazie, after the bridge of the Rivière du Mât, turn right towards Ilet Bois de Pomme and continue on for 1.4 km. At the junction, go straight on for 300 metres. A sign on the left-hand side of the road indicates the departure point of the track.

> Mare d'Affouche par Trou Blanc
This hiking trail, which is accessible by foot only, will allow you discover typical hamlets of Salazie.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4402 RT Cirque de Salazie. Difficulty: easy, 1h30 loop. Access: go to Salazie, then head for Hell-Bourg. Go through the village of Hell Bourg up to Ilet à Vidot. Take the track and go down to the carpark.

Wild South

> Port Ango
The Eastern and Southeastern coast is often neglected but is worth a visit. This hike gives you stunning views of the beautiful and wild coast.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4406 RT Piton de la Fournaise. Difficulty: easy, 1h45 return. Access: In Sainte-Rose, pass the church and continue on for 4 km. Turn left onto the Chemin Fruits à Pain. Park at the end of the tarmac road.

> Sentier botanique de la forêt de Mare Longue
The forêt de Mare Longue is an ancient “forêt de bois de couleur”, which was destroyed by deforestation, a technic used in order to cultivate tea, coffee, geraniums and more recently sugar cane.
> To discover the Jardin des Parfums et des Epices, at the edge of the Forêt de Mare Longue, click here.
Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4406 RT Piton de la Fournaise. Difficulty: easy, 1h00 loop. Access: Head for Saint-Joseph. 500 metres after le Baril, turn left towards the Forêt de Mare Longue. Go up for 1.8 km and turn left. The carpark lies 1.3 km further on.

Cilaos Caldera

> Cilaos –Bras Sec via Bras de Benjoin
A lovely village, Bras Sec lies at the remote end of Cilaos caldera. You will discover a agricultural production specific to the caldera: the vigne Isabelle.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4405 RT Cirque de Cilaos. Difficulty: easy, 1h45 return. Access: In Cilaos, at the Maison de la Montagne, head for la Mare à Joncs. Turn left towards the hospital. Pass the VVF and continue on onto the Chemin des Eucalyptus. The departure point of the trail lies on the right, 50 m further on.

South

> Le Bois de Bon Accueil and la Découverte
The Bois de Bon Accueil is a forest made up of the colours of the highlands, which lies in the massif des Makes. From the point of view at la Découverte, you will get a panoramic view of les Makes and Saint-Louis.
Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4404 RT Saint-Leu, l'Etang-Salé. Difficulty: easy, 2 hours loop. Access: From Saint-Louis head for Les Makes. When you reach the church, turn left onto the Chemin de Bon Accueil. Cross a little bridge and continue on on the tarmac road for 1 km until you arrive at the big plane trees. Turn right onto a dirt track. Park at the edge of the forest.

> Le Piton Cabri via Bras Patates
Lying up in the Makes region, the Piton Cabri gives a panoramic view of Cilaos caldera. Walking through a forest made up of the colours of the highlands one goes down into the depths of the valley of Bras Patates. The path then needs to be climbed back up. At the top, you will discover Cilaos and its ragged relief.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4405 RT Saint-Pierre. Difficulty: easy, 2 hours loop. Access: From Saint-Louis head for les Makes and la Fenêtre. At the departure of the forest road, go up for 1.8 km as far as the departure point of the track for le Tapage and Bras Patates, on the right-hand side of the road.

> Sentier du Gol
This hiking trail is a very pleasant loop which goes across the Forêt du Tévelave. If you go there early enough, you will avoid the fog and get a panoramic view of the whole area of les Makes.

Carte I.G.N : 1 :25 000 4404 RT Saint-Leu, l'Etang-Salé. Difficulty: easy, 1h45 loop. Access: From les Avirons, head for le Tévelave. At the church, turn left and continue on onto the forest road of Tamarins up to the camp du Tévelave.