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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

Every year, thousands of tourists come to discover the volcano. And yet, few of them consider taking the Sentier Mouton via the Oratoire Sainte-Thérèse. A relatively easy two-hour hike through the exceptional Plaine des Sables, a desertic and large stretch of dark sand. It was formed by lapilli ( porous pieces of lava ) ejected by the Piton Chisny volcano, that dominates it, 3000 years ago.

All along the Route du Volcan, enjoy the view of the Piton des Neiges	Don’t forget to stop at the nez de Bœuf viewpoint where you can discover the Rivière des Remparts.

Route du volcan.  Nobody forgerts the corner that opens onto the spectatular view over the Plaine des Sables. The trail starts a few meters ahead, on the left-hand side of the road, behind a sign. We take the Sentier Mouton towards the Oratoire Sainte-Thérèse. White  markers  show the path that needs to be followed in the volcanic desert. The track goes up and then along the rempart. Our eyes are drawn to the dark area lying a few meters below us. The walk is easy. It goes up and down but very little.  The sound of the lapilli under our shoes gives rythm to our walk.


A few minutes later we reach the Oratoire Sainte-Thérèse, a place for contemplation full of candles, flowers and religious items. Infront of us, lies the Rivière de l’Est and on the other side of the mountain, the Gîte du Volcan.

Our objective is to go down the cliff and reach the Plaine des Sables. We need to go back a little on our steps and turn left onto the path. The track is not steep and quite practicable.

 

 

 

Beyond the Plateau des Basaltes, the vegetation changes radically. We find ourselves in a forest of tamarinds, the ideal spot to have a break.

Here the birds are curious and not at all fearful. They wait for a few crumbs of our lunch impatiently. And off we go again to conquer the desert of the Plaine des Sables. Humid grass and a carpet of lapilli alternate along the path..

The trail is delimited by white markersin a straight line. It is advisable not to move away from it. The clouds rise quickly and it could be dangerous. We soon find ourselves at the heart of the Plaine des Sables. The landscape is lunar. Volcanic scoriae  sparkle. Once the crossing is finished, we get back on the road heading towards the volcano. We reach the bottom of the rempart. Those who still have some energy left can walk up the winding road to the starting point. As for the remaining hikers, cars often stop off in the middle of the Plaine des Sables, the perfect opportunity to catch a lift.

Texts and photos : Laurène Mazier

Access : from Saint-Pierre or Saint-Benoît go to Bourg-Murat via the route des Plaines. Once you reach the Maison du Volcan, follow the Route du Volcan for 18 km up to the Pas des Sables, near the remparts