Reunion, located in the Mascarene Islands in the western Indian Ocean, still maintains its original wildness. The volcano here is active all year round, and the basin in which it is located is full of vitality. The waterfalls and villages complement each other, and the coastline is dotted with beaches.
The vitality of Réunion has attracted batch after batch of outdoor enthusiasts and photographers. Bring your camera and walk into this mysterious volcanic island together to experience the extraordinary natural scenery and multi-ethnic customs~
Reunion
The Last Island of Adventure in the Indian Ocean
The richness of the landscape in this small area is breathtaking. Like a basalt shield, it rises from the sea, hidden in the green, like a miniature Hawaii. There’s a lot to expect here: lush forests, rushing waterfalls, unforgettable mountain vistas, winding roads, breathtaking panoramas, vibrant seaside cities and dotted beaches of white or black sand. The formidable Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world, adds to the icing on the cake. No wonder Réunion is a dream destination for nature and outdoor lovers. Hiking is the number one activity here, but canyoning, paragliding, rafting, horseback riding, diving, whale watching and mountain climbing are also worth trying. Reunion also has a lot to offer for culture lovers, such as the fascinating Creole, African, Indian, Chinese and French cultural heritage, numerous precious buildings and lively festivals enough to give you an insight into the local culture .
Fournaise Volcano
Piton de la Fournaise
As a masterpiece of nature in Réunion, the Fournais volcano is the most famous natural landscape on the island. The Reunionese simply call it “le volcano” (le volcano), and it is not a dormant volcano but an active geographical wonder that erupts frequently. In April 2007, the central 900-meter-wide crater collapsed 300 meters away, and a new lava belt formed on the southeast side, extending all the way to the coast. It erupted again in early August 2015, but to a lesser extent.
The good news is that it’s one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world, and it’s also possible to hike to the rim of the crater.
You can fly over the volcano or just enjoy the view from a lookout point. It’s right on the outer rim of the crater, where the road ends.
Monitor Volcanic Dynamics
Scientists closely monitor the volcano’s dynamics and issue warnings if anomalies are detected. As long as there are signs of an eruption, the roads near and up the mountain will be closed.
A webcam has been installed on the rim of the outer crater, just north of Fournais. It informs hikers about the weather conditions near the volcano and allows curious tourists to enjoy the magnificent panorama of the volcano. Images are updated every 5 minutes and can be viewed at www.fournaise.info/webcam.php.
Cirque de Mafate
Explore those unparalleled topography
Surrounded by walls, the Mafate Basin is criss-crossed with ravines and narrow ridges. It is the most remote and primitive basin in Réunion. Even the best preparedness is sure to be amazed when you first glimpse this geological wonder. There’s an unpredictable palette of colors, a blissful tranquility (save for the occasional drone of helicopters), and an unrivaled majesty.
No cars, no towns, no stress, just towering hills, deep ravines and scattered small villages – where time seems to stand still.
Aside from its majestic landscape, what makes the Mafate Basin special is that it is relatively inaccessible, and even though it is a short distance from the luxury entertainment of the coast, there are no roads leading to the basin (although there is a forest road that leads directly to the pass of Niu Xueshan ), therefore, to reach several villages scattered in this huge extinct volcano can only rely on walking.
If you can spare a day, don’t miss the opportunity to hike into the Mafate Basin. From the car park below the Col des Bœufs, it’s a 2-hour downhill walk to La Noire, nicknamed the “capital of Maffat”. This is a great half day hike and you can have lunch in La Noir.
Cirque de Cilaos
Canyon rafting in the peculiar cliff area
The scenery here couldn’t be more majestic. Imagine jagged volcanic peaks, deep ravines and forests straight out of a Grimm’s fairy tale. Sometimes the swirling clouds add a touch of strangeness. In this area, the isolated villages are the most attractive.
One name says it all – Piton des Neiges (3071 meters above sea level). This towering, iconic mountain acts as a magnet for hikers in the town of Cilaos. But there’s no need to go all out: several museums and plenty of short walks mean you can enjoy this magnificent natural wonder at a more relaxed pace.
For the outdoors, Cilaos is a super playground, offering a variety of outdoor activities such as canyoning, hiking and rock climbing.
Strap on your seatbelt and take a deep breath as you hit the road leading here: the RN5 road, 37 kilometers north from St. Meaningful). On the way to this amphitheater, the winding road has more than 400 turns, and the breathtaking scenery is endless along the way. Have a safe trip!
Le Grand Brûlé
Looking at the barren landform like the surface of the moon, the eyes are full of condensed black lava
The crowning landscape of the Wild South, the barren and bizarre landscape of Big Brewer is a 6-kilometer-wide volcanic plain formed by the flow of volcanic lava. This is where the magma flows when the volcano erupts. The steep hill above it, called Les Grandes Pentes, has fed lava to the coast for thousands of years.
In April 2007, one of the most violent volcanic eruptions on record produced yet another spectacular lava flow about 2 kilometers north of Pointe du Tremblet. The road was closed for months. Driving in this hard, pure black lava, the moon-like desolate landscape will give people a sense of primitiveness. Walking across the lava flow is prohibited here, but a viewing point has been built immediately adjacent to RN2, the Great Brewer’s Platform.
If you like adventure, you can also choose to explore caves in volcanic tunnels (slender pipes formed by rapid cooling and hardening of lava) and walk under the volcano.
L’Hermitage-les-Bains
Immerse yourself in the island’s chaotic nightlife
Hermitage is home to a large collection of Reunion Island’s major resorts, as well as a great selection of restaurants and entertainment, and possibly the most scenic beach in Reunion. This gives the air of a Reunion resort.
The casuarina-fringed Plage de L’Hermitage, just south of the Plage des Brisants in Saint-Gilles, is a great place to sunbathe. Swimming here is safe, protected by barrier reefs and patrolled by lifeguards. Often crowded on weekends. More suitable for snorkeling.
Le Jardin d’Eden is located across the main street of Hermitage. It is not only attractive to plant and garden lovers. For anyone interested in tropical plants, it is definitely worth an hour to stay here. The park is divided into several dedicated areas, which are given interesting themes such as Hindu sacred plants, medicinal plants, edible tropical plants, spices and aphrodisiacs.
Hell-Bourg
Immerse yourself in those Creole houses
After a winding 9km trek from Sarachi, the village of Haier emerges like a hamlet out of a fairy tale. You can’t help but be shocked by the sight in front of you – the majestic mountains and rocks surround Haier Village, like a grand amphitheatre. Clearly there is no shortage of great hiking opportunities in this rugged landscape. Here are many more places to sit and meditate.
Culture buffs will get their wish in this quintessential Réunion town, with its central streets lined with old Creole mansions. They have typical decorative pendants (lambrequins). The buildings date back to the 1840s, when Hale Village was a well-known resort town, attracting a fairly wealthy class.
St-Denis
Explore the remnants of the colonial period
Tourists who prefer France will feel at home in Réunion’s capital, Saint-Denis (pronounced san-de-nee). It would be easy to mistake Saint-Denis for a French city were it not for the palms and poincianas reminding you that you are somewhere sunnier (and hotter). The streets are lined with trendy shops, brasseries, bistros and bakeries.
Most of Reunion’s tourist attractions are located off the island, so most travelers make a short stopover to rent a car and drive to more exciting places. But Saint-Denis isn’t just worth a quick glance. It doesn’t take long to discover that, beneath its French surface, the city also has an unmistakable Creole soul, tucked away in the sprawling colonial and religious buildings that exude a relaxed, multi-ethnic vibe.
And if that’s not enough, there’s often an opportunity for fun: enjoy a séga (traditional African dance music) or maloya (traditional dance music from Réunion) over a cup of coffee in a funky café ) acoustic music, or indulge in an exquisite dinner at the gourmet restaurant.
We start our trip in Reunion on foot
Experience the best way to explore here
Composed of a huge extinct volcano (Piton des Neiges) and an active volcano (Piton de la Fournaise), this island is a paradise for hikers and adventure sports enthusiasts. The best time to hike is the dry season, almost from the end of April to the end of October. May, June, September and October may be the best months, and July and August are a bit cold. In the event of an emergency during the hike, you can raise both arms, forming a “V” to signal to the helicopter pilots patrolling the island for help. If you have a mobile phone, you can dial 112 for emergency services.
Best Multi-Day Hike
The Haut Mafate
Hiking Difficulty: ★★★
Landscape index: ★★★★★
Hiking duration and distance: 4 days, 20.4 kilometers Starting point/end point: Niu Xueshan parking lot
The beauty of Gaumafat is impeccable. Highlights include the jungle-covered Plaine des Tamarins, the deep gorges of the Rivière des Galets, the waterfalls of Trois Roches, and the ruins of Maison Laclos, said to be the oldest dwelling in the basin. There are many entrances into the High Mafate, but the most convenient is the Col des Bœufs car park, in the Sarachie Basin. It takes about 2 hours from this car park to La Noir in High Mafate.
Best Multi-Day Hike
Tour des Cirques
Hiking Difficulty: ★★★★★
Scenery index: ★★★★
Hiking duration and distance: 5 days, 51.5 kilometers Start/End: Cilaos
Basin tour is a classic reserved project in Reunion, which can leave you with unforgettable memories. The essence of the 3 basins are combined to bring you 3 different atmospheres and diverse scenery. As a side bonus, you’ll travel through several small towns with cozy hotels. The best starting point for this hike is Cilaos, which offers excellent hiking facilities and, icing on the cake, a wellness spa to relax after the hike.
Eco-hiking
Remember the following suggestions when hiking to protect the ecological environment and beauty of Reunion.
1. Take away all the rubbish and don’t throw it anywhere. Don’t overlook forgettable trash like tin foil, orange peels, cigarette butts, and plastic wrappers. Empty bags should be placed in dedicated waste bags.
2. Don’t bury your trash: Digging pits breaks down the land surface and causes erosion. Buried waste is likely to be dug up by animals, who may be injured or poisoned.
3. On hillsides and mountainsides, especially at high altitudes, the soil is easily eroded. Follow established routes and avoid side-stepping.
4. Do not move any plants, because the plants can maintain the state of the topsoil.
Do you like Reunion? Do you know any other wonderful hiking routes? Welcome to share with us in the comment area
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