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Travel Guide Reunion Island
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  • Reunion Island. Panorama of Mafate, seen from Cap Noir
    Reunion Island. Panorama of Mafate, seen from Cap Noir Photo: MIMEX, Wikimedia Commons

Reunion Island

Welcome to Reunion Island, a jewel in the Indian Ocean where adventure and nature meet in perfect harmony. Nestling under the tropical sun, this exotic destination opens the doors to a paradise for lovers of outdoor activities. From the majestic relief of the Cilaos cirque to the fine sandy beaches bathed by the crystal-clear waters of the ocean, Réunion offers an ideal playground for outdoor activities.

Whether you're a keen hiker in the heart of the lush green cirques, a canyoneer in the steep gorges, or a scuba diver exploring the life-rich seabed, every corner of the island offers a thrilling adventure.

Active volcanoes add a touch of mystery to this spectacular natural tableau. Join us for an experience where wonder mingles with the excitement of adventure, where every moment spent outdoors brings you closer to the wild, unspoilt beauty of Réunion.

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Activities in Réunion


Wandern im Talkessel von Mafate - La Réunion
hikes
long-distance hikes
trail runs
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mountain hikes
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mountain biking trails

Attractions in Réunion


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Hiking route · Reunion Island
Randonnée au sommet du piton des Neiges
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 15.2 km
Duration 9:00 h
Ascent 1,849 m
Descent 1,882 m

Avec une altitude de 3.071 m, le piton des Neiges est la montagne la plus haut de l’île de La Réunion. Il doit son surnom « Le toit de l’océan ...

2
Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Hiking route · Reunion Island
Sentier panoramique du Cap Noir
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 3.1 km
Duration 2:00 h
Ascent 400 m
Descent 260 m

Un itinéraire circulaire magnifique près de Dos d'Ane au nord de Mafate

5
Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Mountain Biking · Reunion Island
Mégavalanche Saint-Paul - La Réunion Mountainbiking Downhill
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 31.7 km
Duration 2:19 h
Ascent 0 m
Descent 2,166 m

La Mégavalanche Saint-Paul est un co-événement de la Mégavalanche Alpe d’Huez dans les Alpes Françaises. Tous les deux sont seulement pour des ...

from Odile Romignac,   Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Long-Distance Hiking
Le tour de Mafate (GR R3)
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult Multi-stage route
Distance 41.6 km
Duration 18:45 h
Ascent 4,642 m
Descent 4,646 m

La randonnée à cinq jours autour de la cuvette de Mafate est un classique des randonnées à La Réunion et en même temps un circuit de rêve pour ceux ...

Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Horse Riding · Reunion Island
Randonnée équestre le long du Grand Étang
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 6.7 km
Duration 2:30 h
Ascent 403 m
Descent 393 m

Randonnée équestre merveilleuse dans une nature idyllique. La randonnée passe autour du Grand Étang à La Réunion.

Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Hiking route · Reunion Island
Anse des Cascades : randonnée sur les falaises
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 8.1 km
Duration 3:00 h
Ascent 98 m
Descent 39 m

Randonnée variée entre mer et roches volcaniques le long de la côte est de La Réunion.

1
Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Hiking route · Reunion Island
Bras de la Plaine : lit de rivière
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 10.4 km
Duration 4:30 h
Ascent 300 m
Descent 300 m

La randonnée à travers le lit de rivière du Bras de la Plaine au sud de La Réunion est une expérience naturelle particulière.

1
Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Hiking route · Reunion Island
À travers la forêt tropicale au Trou de Fer
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 11.2 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 243 m
Descent 241 m

La randonnée au Trou de Fer nous mène à travers la forêt tropicale de la forêt de Bélouve. Le Trou de Fer est une gorge au centre de l’île de La ...

2
Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Mountain Biking · Reunion Island
Circuit VTT à Cilaos
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 9.2 km
Duration 1:45 h
Ascent 324 m
Descent 322 m

Circuit VTT pour des débutants à partir du centre de Cilaos au cœur de la cuvette

Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
Mountain Biking · Reunion Island
Au piton de la Fournaise en VTT
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 11.7 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 532 m
Descent 532 m

Circuit en VTT impressionnant à travers un paysage lumière fascinant au cratère volcanique.

Tourist Office of the Island La Réunion
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Réunion National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Voile de la Mariée, Salazie Photo: Par © Geolina | Wikipedia, Outdooractive Editors

The island of Réunion offers an exceptional variety of natural spaces: coral reefs and sandy beaches on the west coast of Réunion, as well as a volcano at an altitude of 3.071 m, the so-called "Piton des Neiges". Lava fields alternate with vast high plateaux. Desert peaks rise above heavily wooded valleys. Waterfalls tumble into deep basins. It's almost as if you're on the set of "Jurassic Park" or "The Lord of the Rings" when you're surrounded by Reunion's extreme landscapes.

The volcanic landscapes, basins and high plateaux have been an official national park since 2007. This national reserve covers around 40 per cent of Réunion's surface area. This allows the island's exceptional flora and fauna, with their unique biodiversity, to flourish undisturbed. Since 2010, the National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The highest mountain in the Indian Ocean: the Piton des Neiges (3,071 m)

The Piton des Neiges Photo: Par Mamphi — Travail personnel - Wikipedia, CC BY

The Piton des Neiges, a majestic volcanic peak, stands proudly in the heart of Réunion Island, offering a unique experience for adventurers and nature lovers alike. At 3,070 metres, it is the highest peak in the Indian Ocean. Enthusiastic hikers set out to climb this sleeping giant, only to be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas. The path to the summit passes through a variety of landscapes, from lush forests to lunar plains, revealing the island's exceptional biodiversity.

The Piton des Neiges is much more than a challenge for trekking enthusiasts: it's an adventure that lets you touch the heavens and soak up Réunion's natural majesty. An ascent that leaves memories engraved in the hearts of those who have had the privilege of conquering this iconic peak.

The volcano, the high plateaux and the tropical forest

Piton de la Fournaise (2,631 m) is the last remaining active volcano on the island. The volcano was formed over half a million years ago and is now one ofthe most active volcanoes in the world, although Piton de la Fournaise is not considered dangerous. The volcano in the south-east of the island does not spew lava explosively; if it does, it rises to the surface through several small volcanic chimneys. As it makes its way down to the sea, large underground galleries, caves and tunnels are formed over time. You can take a guided tour of the caves.

At an altitude of 1,000 m, between the Piton de la Fournaise and the Piton de la Neige mountain ranges, lie the high plateaux that link the south with the east of the island. Here, visitors can enjoy an extremely varied landscape. The N3 departmental road runs from the south to the high plateaux up to 2000 m where the lunar landscape of "La Plaine des Sables" stretches out. Heading north, you reach the rainforest and then "La Plaine des Palmistes", in the heart of the Forêt de Bébour and the Piton de la Fournaise volcanic massif.

Summit · Reunion Island
Volcan Piton de la Fournaise
Reunion Island

Le Piton de la Fournaise est un volcan dans le département d’outre-mer français La Réunion.

from Stefan Urlaub,   Outdooractive Editors

The three basins: Mafate, Salazie, Cilaos

Photo: Mamphi | Wikipedia, CC BY

Mafate is the wildest basin, accessible only on foot or by helicopter. There is a network of over 100 km of hiking trails covering an area of 95 km², including the GR R3 long-distance hiking trail.

Salazie is well known for its rich vegetation, rock faces and spectacular waterfalls. It is the starting point for a number of hikes to the neighbouring basins of Mafate and Cilaos. Although the Salazie basin is easily accessible, it remains authentic. That's why the village of Hell-Bourg has been awarded the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" distinction. Both Hell-Bourg and Grand-Île are culturally distinct Creole villages.

The third basin, Cilaos, is a Mecca for hiking, canyoning, climbing and mountain biking. Cilaos is dominated by the island's highest mountain, the Piton des Neiges. It is also the sunniest basin. Its interior relief is marked by several small peaks. From Saint-Louis you can get to Cilaos by bus or car on a magnificent panoramic road called "la route aux 400 virages". Of course, you can also get to the Cilaos basin on foot, starting at Mafate, the Piton des Neiges or the La Plaine des Palmistes plateau.

Do you know this hiking paradise?

Welcome to La Réunion, a hiking paradise where nature reveals its splendour at every turn. The island, with its varied terrain, offers a wide range of itineraries for lovers of exploring on foot. From the majestic Piton des Neiges to the picturesque cirques of Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate, every step reveals a breathtaking landscape.

Challenge seekers can tackle the Piton des Neiges, the highest peak in the Indian Ocean, and be rewarded with a magical sunrise at the summit. The cirques, with their steep paths and panoramic views, offer unique experiences. The Mafate valley, accessible only on foot or by helicopter, invites you to immerse yourself in unspoilt nature.

For a gentler experience, the coastal paths, lined with lush vegetation and offering views of the ocean, offer a picturesque alternative. Rivers, waterfalls and tropical forests add a magical dimension to every walk.

Piton de la Fournaise (2512m) - to the edge of the Dolomieu crater
Around the Mafate Valley (GR R3) - Stage 5
Pointe de la Table - nature trail on a lava flow
Around the Mafate Valley (GR R3) - Stage 1

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Reviews

  45
La Chapelle by Yvonne
November 12, 2023 · Community
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Route done on November 12, 2023
Photo: Yvonne Waibel, Community
Photo: Yvonne Waibel, Community
Photo: Yvonne Waibel, Community
Comment
foret de Bédour - Belouve trou de fer by Erwan
October 19, 2023 · Community
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Route done on October 10, 2023
Photo: Erwan Lelardoux, Community
Photo: Erwan Lelardoux, Community
Photo: Erwan Lelardoux, Community
Photo: Erwan Lelardoux, Community
Comment
La Chapelle von Cilaos, Hotel Le Vieux Cep und zurück by Caroline
June 18, 2023 · Community
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Route done on June 18, 2023
1 comment
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Destinations in Réunion



Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated using French as the source language

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