Reunion Island
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Hikes tried and tested by the Runweb team
For updated information regarding the state of the trails, 12 golden rules to go hiking in the best possible conditions |
Grand Bassin
Map I.G.N. 1:25000 4405 RT Saint Pierre. Difficulty: moderate. Hiking time: 1H30 for the descent and, 2h30 for the upward return. Access: in from the village of Plaine des Cafres, go towards Bois Court up to the viewpoint, Belvedere. Grand Bassin lies 700 metres further down.
The path leads straight towards the rempart. Half way along, you will come across a water tank. A footpath stands at the end of the hiking trail. In order to enjoy your hike fully, you ought to spend the night in a Grand Bassin gîte. Walking back up is not an easy task.
La Nouvelle through the Col des Bœufs
Map I.G.N. 1:25000 44402 RT Cirque de Mafate. Difficulty: moderate. Hiking time: 2h one way aller, 2h30 for the return le retour. Access: go up to Salazie, then Grand Ilet. Go through the village and up to Le Bélier, then take the forest path for 6.5 km. Park your car on the Petit Col carpark, 1.5 km from the top.
La Nouvelle is the most accessible and the most visited of all Mafate « ilets ». The trail goes up, then down and becomes flat in the plantation of tamarinds. In La Nouvelle, many gîtes are available.
Le Bassin des Hirondelles
Map I.G.N 1:25 000 4402 RT Saint-Denis. Difficulty: moderate. Hiking time: 2h30 return. Access: from the Plaine des Palmistes, go towards Petite Plaine then towards the forest of Bébour. And after the Bras Cabot bridge, drive up for 300 metres to the car park on the right hand side of the road.
A lovely « bassin », an ideal spot to have take a swim. The trail goes trough a forest of fern trees tree ferns. Mind out for muddy path !
Le Grand Etang
Map I.G.N 1:25 000 4403 RT Saint Benoît. Difficulty: easy. Hiking time: 2.5 hours loop Access: from Saint-Benoît, take the RN 3 towards the Plaine des Palmistes. 7 km further, on a bend bordered with plane trees, turn right towards Grand Etang.
A unique spot in Réunion Island, the Grand Etang was created thanks to a lava flow which acts as a barrier boom on the Bras d’Annette.
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Sentier des Calumets (Bras Sec-Palmiste Rouge)
Nestled in Bras des Calumets gorges, the sentier des Calumets between Bras Sec and Palmiste Rouge is easily accessible.
Sentier Mouton, Oratoire Sainte-Thérèse
Map I.G.N. 1:25000 4406 R.T Piton de la Fournaise. Difficulty: easy. Hiking time: 3.5 hours loop. Access: go to Bourg-Murat. Once you reach the Maison du Volcan, follow the route du volcan for 18 km up to the Pas des Sables, nearby the remparts.
In Walk through the heart of the Plaine des Sables. Discover this place that is as much impressive as it is paradoxical, with trough an easy hike.
Biberon waterfall
Map I.G.N. 1:25 000 4403 R.T Saint-Benoît, Saint-André. Difficulty: easy. Hiking time: 1 h30. Access: go to When coming from Saint Pierre, turn right into a small alleyway called ‘Cascade Biberon’, 1.5km after the sign for the entrance to the area of the Plaine des Palmistes and continue until you reach the car park.
From its height of 220 metres, the gushing waters of the cascade Biberon flow down through a green background. The path leads us through dense vegetation. One can imagine oneself being in the savannah.
Le Piton de l'eau
The only volcanic lake in Réunion Island, it is now full of vegetation. The viewpoint of the Piton des Neiges and of the Eastern Coast is worth the visit but you ought to leave early in the morning to be there before the clouds.
Le Piton Rouge
Map I.G.N : 1:25 000 4404 RT Saint-Leu. Difficulty :middle. Hiking time: 3h00 aller-retour. Access : in the top of Saint-Leu. Start: in Ravine Bras-Sec.
Piton Rouge, volcanic cone located at 2400 meters altitude is steeped in history. There are two centuries of this, chestnuts have found refuge in this inhospitable landscape. The discovery of stone walls and bones presumed to be those of King Phaonce, reflect an occupancy by slaves.
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Le Grand Bénare and La Glacière
Map I.G.N: 1:25 000 4401 RT Saint-Paul Le Port. Difficulty: middle. Hiking time: 7h00 aller-retour. Access : Maïdo. Start: last park station on the top of the Maido. Top altitude: 2890 meters.
With the 2890 meters altitude, the Grand Bénare is considered the third highest summit of La Reunion after the Piton des Neiges and Gros Morne. It borrows its name from the Malagasy word "Benaro" meaning "where it is very cold."
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Le Dimitile using La grande jument's trail
Hiking time Aller-Retour: 7 hours. Difficulty: middle. Localisation: district of L’entre-deux. Top altitiude: 1800 meters. Access: in l’entre-deux, go to les hauts (10 mn ) using la ravine des citrons' road.
Apart from exceptions panoramic and breathtaking view of the Cilaos at the top, this hike is a mecca of runaways from the island. During the colonial period, the maroons (slaves) came to seek protection by hiding in the mountains.
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