Hiking in Réunion

Airfare is not included in this tour, so you are responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from Réunion. The first day is unscheduled, allowing you to arrive at our starting point in Cilaos at your convenience. Upon arrival in Réunion, the group will meet together with our guide at a charming hotel in the mountain village of Cilaos. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause and wonder—have we landed in a quaint French alpine town or in the heart of the Indian Ocean? The answer is: both. Nestled like a stage within a natural amphitheater, Cilaos is encircled by lush, steep crater walls and lies within one of three massive calderas surrounding the island’s highest peak, Piton des Neiges (3,071 m). This picturesque village marks the starting point of our multi-day hiking adventure. Once we've settled into the hotel, we’ll have time to either explore our surroundings or simply rest and recharge before dinner.

Today, we’re ready for an exciting hike that takes us through crater valleys before we climb two volcanoes, including the island’s highest peak, Piton des Neiges. We begin in the crater valley of Cilaos, and after a short bus ride from the village, we start a gradual trek up to the first crater rim. The trail climbs steeply toward Col du Taibit (2,082 m), and if we're lucky, we’ll be rewarded with stunning views. On the other side, we descend into Mafate, the most isolated of the three crater valleys. We’ll have lunch in Marla before continuing to the roadless village of La Nouvelle. It’s a tough start to the journey with plenty of elevation gain and descent, but all the more rewarding when we arrive. We’ll be staying here for two nights. Dinner is served before we tuck in for the night.

After the hike to the viewpoint, we take a day trip down to the river, to a place called Les Trois Roches, named after three large rocks by the water. The river drops sharply into a dramatic gorge with a beautiful waterfall, which we can see from a viewpoint farther away. We’ll enjoy a packed lunch and can take a dip in the pleasantly temperate river. We return the same way and have dinner at the campsite where we’re staying. If the skies are clear, it’s worth taking a look at the starry sky on the way back to the cabin.

After an early breakfast, we stop at the bakery to grab some lunch before heading to the next crater. On our way up to the Col de Fourche crater rim (1942 m), we walk through a magical forest, where ancient tamarind trees create an enchanting atmosphere. The descent from Col de Fourche to Hell-Bourg (930 m) is long and steep, making it quite a workout for our legs. The hike finishes with a steep climb up to Hell-Bourg's main street, lined with beautiful houses and blooming gardens, where our accommodation awaits nearby.

Our hike in Réunion includes some long stretches, so a rest day halfway through is a welcome break for most of us. Hell-Bourg, one of the island’s most charming towns, is a lush paradise, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. Take the time to explore one of the old colonial-style mansions with their beautiful Creole gardens, then relax by the fountain at the local bakery.

We leave Hell-Bourg after a pleasant morning and begin the ascent of the mountainside surrounding the town. Later in the day, we enter the Belouve Forest, a tropical rainforest on Réunion, known for its unique botanical diversity. We follow the trail to the Trou de Fer viewpoint, which offers a stunning view of the majestic terrain with waterfalls. Afterward, we return to the Gîte Bélouve (1500 m), located in the forest on the edge of the crater above Hell-Bourg. We will spend the night here.

Today, we will embark on a hike between two mountain huts on Réunion. The trail passes through varied and sometimes challenging terrain. We will ascend 1,000 meters in elevation and are rewarded with stunning views and an impressive flora that changes as we gain altitude. Gite de la Caverne Dufour (2,479 m) is located at the base of Piton des Neiges. It is a simple cabin with dormitories, but it has a veranda with a great view that we will enjoy before dinner.

It will be a short night for those heading to the summit of Piton des Neiges. We start around 2 a.m., walking with headlamps for the first part of the journey. After a couple of hours of steady night hiking, the horizon begins to brighten, and it's a powerful reward to witness the sunrise from the island's highest point, Piton des Neiges. Once the sun is up, the temperature rises, and the return to the mountain cabin can be done in shorts. After breakfast, we continue to Plaine des Cafres, where a short drive takes us to the cabin in the Piton de la Fournaise massif. Overall, it will be a long day, and it's perfectly fine to feel both tired and satisfied after such an amazing hike.

After an early breakfast, we set out on an exciting yet easy hike through a unique landscape. Is this what the moon looks like? While the weather is usually best in the morning, we must be prepared for changing conditions with misty clouds and cooler temperatures. Piton de la Fournaise is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, though we’ll be "lucky" if we witness an eruption during our visit. At best, we might catch a faint smell or see a little smoke rising. Still, it’s a special experience in a landscape like no other! We’ll have lunch along the way before heading back to the cabin. There, we’ll pack up, say goodbye to the mountains, and get ready for beach life by the coast. It’s a couple of hours' drive to the sea, specifically to Les Salines-les-Bains. Here, we’ll find a 5-kilometer stretch of white sandy beach where we can enjoy lazy days of sunbathing and water activities.

The day is yours to enjoy however you like—whether it’s wandering around the village, soaking up the sun on the beach, or doing a little shopping. We highly recommend checking out the underwater world. You can rent snorkeling gear at the hotel and have some unforgettable moments with colorful fish. If you're lucky, you might even spot a turtle that calls these waters home!

Today is our final day on Réunion, we savor a leisurely breakfast, soaking in the last moments of our week-long adventure. After breakfast participants are free to arrange their onward travels at their own pace. We’ll depart with cherished memories—hiking rugged trails, snorkeling vibrant reefs—and a glowing new tan to show for it.